Testimonies

Teachers

Nelly Cristales - 2nd Grade Teacher, 32nd Street Visual and Performing Arts School

What year did you join SCout?

About 5 years ago

What was your first semester with a session in your classroom like?

It was exciting to see so many USC Science Scouts in my classroom teaching as a group science. They engaged, they modeled, they questioned, they connected with my scholars.

Is there a memory that stands out when you think back to any session(s)?

Each semester has been unique and each carries its own memories. Each experiment brings those "aaah" moments to my scholars. For example, making a camera, making slime, making ice cream, and the list doesn’t stop.

During Question Box, what has been one of your favorite questions that a SCout Member has attempted to answer?

Each semester (and it happens every year) my scholars ask: Who created God? Scout members look at each other and try to answer this question in a scientific way knowing that it is based on faith rather than science. I always say with my inside voice, "Let’s see what they respond."

Was there ever a science topic that resulted in a classroom-wide discussion after the session had left? Did you notice an instance where your students recounted their at-home attempts at replicating the experiments?

Making slime is always a number one. They go home and replicate the experiment and bring the slime to share in class.