Below is a sampling of the unsolicited endorsements we have received.
From a teacher
At the end of the 2008 school year, my principal asked me if I would like to participate in a grant funded program that focused on Science and Math hosted at WRESA. Since I love Math (and since there was a stipend:), I agreed to go. The training that summer was okay, but in the fall, when the Science House got involved, that's when the training and my interest in it really took off! I will have to say that Michelle Benigno has done more to increase my Science Content knowledge, improve my ability to plan inquiry base learning, and remove a certain trepidation about teaching Science than any instructor I have ever had. I now regularly reflect on how to turn the hands on learning activities I have always used to become more inquiry based; I am more aware of the vertical alignment of the Science Curriculum; I am integrating Math and Science more; and I am more adept at using technology to support my Science teaching.
From a teacher in a 2010 GPS workshop
Thank you for an amazing workshop on Saturday. We had so much fun and were able to brainstorm about how to use GPS in our classes. This was one of the best workshops that I have attended...and in 23 years of teaching..that is many! Thank you again for making the GPS workshop a very worthwhile experience!
From a former Science Olympiad student
Science Olympiad has really impacted me in so many different ways. It has led me to choose my major in geology with a coastal influence from North Carolina State University. It has also influenced me to continue my education to graduate school. I absolutely loved the event and try to get as many people involved as I can. I still help out with both the regional and state events in North Carolina. I am hooked for life!
From the parent of a camper
Back in 2002, our daughter, (soon to graduate NCSU and continue on to dental school) had the opportunity to participate in the Science of Sports camp and loved it. ... She continued on to double major in Chemistry and Chemistry Textiles (with other side stuff). Anyway, this program reinforced her love for learning and I would love to have that opportunity for our last child.
From a camper in the 2007 Ag-Discovery Summer Camp
I just wanted to let y'all know that I really had a fantastic time at this years Ag-Discovery camp! The things we got to do, and what we learned was just incredible, way more than I could've ever done in my school biology lab. It really gave everyone a chance to explore the seprate fields around agricultural science that interested them, and it was tons of fun! I really appreciated getting to be a part in the camp, and I'll definitely tell any of my friends who have similar interests.
From a high school chemistry teacher in Monroe, GA
Just want to say "thanks!" I did the Witches' Brew with my class on Halloween - complete with witch hats - and they LOVED it!
From a middle school teacher in Jacksonville, NC after her class participated in a case study on “Should Dinosaurs Be Cloned from Ancient DNA?”
I was really pleased with my first two classes. My homeroom was really into it (some of them even wore ties and made up names for themselves like Dr. __). They covered almost every aspect of the argument I could think of. They even asked when it was done if they could do another case study, so I'm going back to that website to see if I could work in any of the other choices. Thanks!
From a teacher in Henderson County who attended the October 2004 LabWrite workshop
I have just returned from a NCCAT week intensive for National Boards. Four other teachers from eastern, central and western North Carolina were in my group seeking National Board certification in Early Adolescent Science. Every one of them had exceptionally positive comments about their workshop experiences with Science House. Thought you would like to know this.
From a teacher who brings students to the Expanding Your Horizons conference each March
As a school counselor for the past twenty-plus years, I have had the great opportunity to attend the Science House's Career Day for seventh grade girls which is held at NCSU in March. While working at J.S. Waters Elementary in Chatham County, our seventh grade girls worked hard, particularly in math and science classes, knowing that they might be chosen to go to NC State where they could learn about the many careers that exist for females, listen to excellent speakers, and have fun with other seventh grade girls from across the state. Your program is wonderful. Every year that I have attended has been very worthwhile for my students and me.
From a teacher participating in a Scientific Visualization workshop in July 2004
We are looking forward to school starting and using many of the materials you gave us! We always enjoy your workshops and anxiously await to hear all the great things The Science House is doing for teachers and students!!
From 8th graders at William Lenoir Middle School after water testing with Gina Barrier, Western Outreach Coordinator, in May 2004.
"I would like to thank you for teaching my fellow students and me about water qulaity and testing. I had fun and learned many new things. My favorite part of your lesson was testing the water, because you allowed us to have fun with it. I deeply appreciate you allowing us to work with such amazing technology and hope that many other students are able to be graced with your teaching."
"I feel I know much more about the creeks, streams, and other bodies of water in the forest. I think it was awesome how we could tell the temperature. I would like you to know that letting us do it on our own and just letting us be ourselves, letting us go knee-deep in the creek to test to see if the temperature might be different in different spots. Also when we got to test the force of the rapids, it was very fun."
"The funnest thing we did was testing the water's current, because we got to find places where it was flowing almost like a waterfall, and compare them with places where the water is moving slow. While we did this we got to climb around on the rocks and explore places in the river. "
"I had so much fun with the water quality activity. Its always better to have a teacher that is fun and that is happy to be there."
"I just wanted to say, I didn't realize there were so many things to check on a river or a stream. I thought it was fun going from rock to rock to check the turbidity and pH and stuff."
" Thanks so much for showing us how to test water in different ways at Wilson Creek. I learned how to test conductivity, clearness of water, pH, and temperature by graphing claculators. Thanks again for giving us that experience"
"You must have a real cool job to get to go out into nature and do stuff with water." "We have enjoyed having you and thank you for your time helping us learn more about our natural surroundings. I have learned that water can be different temperatures in different areas of the same body of water."
"I had a lot of fun out at the water. One thing I remember you telling us was like at a waterfall where you see all the bubbles, oxygen was being pushed into the water. I also learned about the pH. I had so much fun doing water quality testing with you!"
"You showed me that the water at Wilson's Creek in some areas is clean. I know I had a lot of fun, getting in the water and doing hand-on activities was a blast. Thank you."
"I didn't know there was so much stuff to be tested in water. I thought that thing you used to test the clearness was neat. I wish we had more time so I could test all of the things. Thank you."
"It was so awesome having you as our water quality guide! To be honest, that was my favorite part of the whole trip . Doing activities that are fun AND educating are the best kind to do."
"Water quality testing is really fun - if you don't fall in. To get an accurate reading of pH and water temp, you need to take at least 3 readings. The pH needs to be around 6.5 to 8.5 for water wildlife to survive. Thank you."
From particpants in the Spring 2004 Reach for the Stars Astronomy Workshop
I had such a great time at the workshop! It was so good and I learned so much! I was proud when I saw the Asheville Citizen Times this morning as it showed all of the planets being visible! We already saw then! Thank you for everything.
The workshop was fantastic! Thank you
I really enjoyed the Reach for the Stars workshop. I learned a lot and have already used some of those ideas with the kids!
From a teacher participant in the Spring 2004 Fungal Genomics Biotechnology workshop
I was glad to put a face to the many e-mails I get. It was great to meet you. A great seminar too Thanks for NC State's "Outreach" It is very helpful to us out here in the trenches! Keep up the good work. Thanks again
From a teacher particpant in Gina Barrier's Safety Training in Spring 2004
I enjoyed the workshop Saturday, you did a great job, everyone needs to attend one of your sessions.
From a WCU instructor on a visit from Asheville Outreach Coordinator, Beth Snoke, to her class (October, 2003):
I very much appreciate your visiting my class. Your expertise helped us imagine ways to use the equipment in our teaching and went above and beyond what I could have done on my own.
Letter to Imhotep Academy students included in the Imhotep newsletter on October 4, 2003:
Dear Students,
I loved the Imhotep program ever since the first day I participated in the program. It has made me a better student and the experience has helped me stand out in my classes. I find in my high school science classes that many of the concepts we discuss in class were shared with me by the teachers at Imhotep. Imhotep has also allowed me to meet people I would have probably never met if it would not have been for Imhotep. Dr. Clark still encourages me today by a quote she wrote on the board one day,
"Reach for the moon and if you miss, you'll land among the stars!" - Les Brown
This saying has given me the encouragement to push for excellence in the classroom, religion, and on the basketball court. To be short and sweet, I just want to encourage you to learn in this environment because I PROMISE you, you will hear everything they teach you here again and it will be no where near as fun, trust me. Appreciate Dr. Clark because she truly loves you and the Imhotep program. So just behave and exhibit excellence and you will reach the moon. This time you are here is time well spent. TRUST ME! You will see in due time!
Former Student,
Anderson Bynum
From students in Cumberland County after spending a day with Dennis Johnson, Fayetteville Outreach Coordinator (September 2003):
"I didn't think we could use a computer to do science, it was amazing!"
"I am so happy he took his time to share with us."
"I can't wait until he comes back!"
"Science is my favorite class now. Mr. Johnson was great and so were the experiments."
"I learned that science isn't just a book."
"It wasn't like any other science class I have ever been in!"
"Now I can tell my friends I have used a laptop."
"This was my 1 time experience of my life!"
"I wish he would come to our class everyday!"
This work by The Science House is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
5,000 teachers served annually
36,000 students served annually
6 locations across North Carolina
Program participants in 6 states
100,000 visitors/month to our web site
The Science House
Suite 1200, 909 Capability Drive
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8211
Phone (919) 515 - 6118
FAX (919) 515 - 7545
science_house@ncsu.edu
Northeast Satellite Office
John A Holmes High School
PO Box 409
Edenton, NC 27932
Phone: (252) 482-8426 ext: 238
cmkarl@unity.ncsu.edu
Northwest Satellite Office
The Education Center
Caldwell County Schools
1914 Hickory Blvd.
Lenoir, NC 28645
Phone (704) 728-8407 x 146
gina_barrier@ncsu.edu
Mountain Satellite Office
The Health Adventure
2 South Pack Square
PO Box 180
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone 828-254-6373 ext 327
michelle_benigno@ncsu.edu
Sandhills Satellite Office
Reid Ross Classical School
3200 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone 910-488-8415
Southeast Satellite Office
Northside High School
365 Commons Drive South
Jacksonville, NC 28546
