START Science

Every child dreams of what they can become and deserves the opportunity to feel inspired through accessible education and positive mentorship. Ten years ago, two University students recognized a lack of core Science programming within Elementary schools in the heart of New York. Together, they founded START (Students, Teachers, and Researchers Teach) Science to address this need and began to facilitate weekly hands-on, interactive Science experiments in local elementary schools. Today, START Science has expanded worldwide, partnering with University students in Canada, the United States, and Africa (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda) to bring hands-on Science learning to elementary students in underfunded, low socioeconomic areas. Students in low-resourced schools experience decreased access to Science learning, exacerbated by the current education system’s focus on learning from a blackboard, rather than hands-on experimentation. START revolutionizes the world of Science education by mobilizing University students, supported by University-level resources, to act as role models, generate discussions and inspire a drive that makes children want to learn. In a recent study on START Science, students enrolled in START demonstrated 12% growth in overall positive attitudes toward science over the school year. In contrast, a class without START showed a 10% decrease over the school year. The power of Science education and Mentorship transforms lives when youth are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.