What do a FLIR thermal camera, parafoil kite, and talking globe have in common? All three were props that helped the Outreach and Visibility Committee introduce students at Isla Vista Elementary to principles from remote sensing. On May 16th, four dedicated committee members manned two tables at Science Night at Isla Vista Elementary, which is a biennial event where groups from the surrounding community teach students about science through hands-on activities.
At a table strewn with aerial photographs, students were invited to piece together the pictures into mosaics that revealed continuous island coastlines. Learning that the photos had been taken with the help of a colorful kite hanging behind the table drew smiles from students and parents alike.
“Everyone can relate to flying kites,” said Kitty Currier, who created the activity with kite aerial photographs from her research. “It’s great to show kids that collecting scientific data is within their reach.”
Some students quickly figured out how to match features across multiple photographs, while others needed a bit of help. “There’s a moment when a light goes on–when people realize that to fit together, the photos have to overlap and not just lay side by side, like pieces of a puzzle,” said Kitty. “It’s fascinating to see that mental shift.”
On an adjacent table, students explored infrared heat using the FLIR thermal camera generously on loan from Professor Dar Roberts. Three glass bottles (one covered in tin foil, one painted black, and one clear) containing hot water were displayed on the table with the thermal camera capturing their temperature. Students were surprised when the thermal camera showed that the ‘cool’ tin foil bottle was actually hot! Most passers-by, students and parents alike, stopped to see their body temperature. Shown in bright purple, orange and red colors, students compared the temperature of their nose, fingers, and clothing. Many were thrilled to find that they could leave heat “handprints” on cool clothing.
Parents and children were also amused by the talking globe, which left its usual home in the Descartes Lab to help entertain and inform Science Night visitors. By combining the power of high-tech tools and the visual interest of an old-fashioned globe and paper maps, the committee members showed the young students just how fascinating geography can be.
“All I can hope is that these Science Night presentations will spark an interest in one of the students and he or she will decide to pursue scientific endeavors in the future,” said Heather Frazier, one of the Outreach and Visibility Committee members. “In my opinion, the pursuit of scientific literacy should start early and continue throughout the time a student is in school.”
By the end of the evening, the committee members had enjoyed themselves as much as the students had, and they look forward to future opportunities to help make Science Night a success!
Article contributed by the UCSB Department of Geography’s Outreach and Visibility Committee members Bonnie Bounds, Helen Chen, Kitty Currier, Heather Frazier, and Susan Meerdink.
