Elementary Science Outreach Program
The College of Saint Mary Elementary Science Outreach program brings exciting, hands-on activities to the elementary science classroom.
Request CSM Students for Your Classroom
Once the elementary classroom teacher chooses an activity and schedules with CSM, two to three CSM college level students bring the necessary equipment, experience and supplies to the classroom to provide your chosen one-hour activity.
Founded in 2011, the CSM Elementary Science Outreach program is a student driven, faculty managed and supported program which seeks to bring exciting and educational hands-on science activities to elementary school classrooms in the Omaha and surrounding metropolitan area.
One of the goals of our program is to expose children to not only science-based activities, but also basic scientific equipment. We want to show the children the world of science and nature, and simple equipment like mirrors, scales, pipettes, and microscopes makes this possible. We understand the tight nature of school budgets, and have arranged to bring our equipment to your classroom!
Introduction to Laboratory Science
The goal of these activities is to familiarize the students with basic laboratory equipment, safety and scientific terminology.
Weather
The objective of this lesson is to learn the importance of understanding the weather and its effects on the earth.
Earth and Its Inhabitants
The objective of this activity is to familiarize the students with the relationship between the Earth and its inhabitants and help them to distinguish between living and nonliving things in the environment.
Electricity
The objective of this activity is to demonstrate methods of producing static electricity.
Erosion
Students will identify and describe characteristics of Earth’s materials and their changes over time through erosion and weathering.
Force and Motion
Students will demonstrate relative position and motion of objects. Students will explore how objects move in different ways. Students will participate in a demonstration of gravity and air resistance by making a parachute.
Healthy Lifestyles
The objective of this activity is to teach students how science is used to maintain proper nutrition and hygiene to live a healthy lifestyle.
Light and Sound
The objective of this activity is to provide hands-on demonstrations that help students understand the properties of light and sound.
States of Matter
The objective of this lesson is for students to explore and describe the physical properties of matter. Emphasis will be placed on the unique properties of liquid/water. Students will identify the differences between mixtures and pure substances, physical properties of matter and will demonstrate the concept of density.
Ecosystems
The goal of this activity is to introduce the concept of an ecosystem. Students will create a small ecosystem using simple materials found in the home.
Our CSM Science Outreach team is made up of College of Saint Mary students and a faculty coordinator.
Naomi Huttenga is a junior at the College of Saint Mary (CSM). She is majoring in Human Biology with a minor in Theology and is a member of the Marie Curie Scholarship Program at CSM. After graduation, Naomi plans to attend Physician Assistant School. At CSM, Naomi is a member of the Swim Team, Pre-Physician Assistant Club, and Green Team. She is also a student tutor. When she’s not on campus, you can find her serving at Prairie Lane Church, at her Justice Internship with the Sisters of Mercy, or traveling across the US or internationally. As a co-coordinator of this program, Naomi hopes to show students that STEM can be challenging and fun!
Juliet Balman is a junior at the College of Saint Mary. She is pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Philosophy. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2027 and aspires to attend medical school to become a physician. Outside the classroom, she is a student-athlete on the College of Saint Mary swim team, a member of the Walk Tall Honors Program and the RISE mentorship Program, she serves as vice president of HealthLink, and volunteers in the community. In her free time, Juliet enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She believes that children can greatly benefit from early exposure to STEM subjects, and it can encourage enthusiasm towards math and science.
Dr. Jennifer Grove is an Associate Professor in the Biology Program at College of Saint Mary. She teaches Genetics, Immunology, Hematology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Medical Pathology in undergraduate and graduate programs. As someone who knew she wanted to be a biologist from an early age, Dr. Grove has always understood the importance of exposing young future investigators to the world of science through fun, interactive, and educational experiences.
This program has been funded by the NASA Nebraska Space Grant since its inception in the Fall of 2011. Beginning Fall 2014, private donors and CSM are also helping to sponsor the program.
Why does this program exist?
The students and faculty at CSM know how important science is in our modern world. Because we were kids once, we also know that sometimes science can seem boring, dull or pointless to children. By creating and providing hands-on activities, we want to bring some of the excitement we have for science to the next generation of scientists!
What is the program like?
Our students have put together a number of great “activity packages” which can be provided at multiple grade levels. We have activities for measuring mass, volume and temperature, weather, light and sound, health and nutrition, states of matter, and Earth and its inhabitants, as well as other activities.
How does the program work?
Simply choose the activity you would like us to present to your students and give us a two-week time window with available times. We will then contact you with a proposed time. After that CSM science students will arrive, set up, and provide your students with a fun, educational and unique activity. For more details, go to scheduling.