MCC Students Help Lowell Middle-Schoolers Shine at Science Fair

With the help of Middlesex Community College Service-Learning students, seventh- and eighth-graders at Bartlett Community Partnership School presented a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects in Lowell’s first Middle School District Science & Engineering Fair.

Three MCC students who served as club advisors have been working with three members of the Bartlett School STEM Club all year with. As a result of this unique, STEM-focused partnership program, the Bartlett students created science fair projects on a variety of topics, including the “stickability” or polarization of magnets.

Held March 5 at the Bartlett School Gymnasium, the fair featured more than 60 projects created by more than 100 students from eight schools across the district.   

“Middlesex is proud to partner with Lowell Public Schools and work with them through our many outstanding Service-Learning initiatives,” said Phil Sisson, MCC Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “This great display of science is a prime example of what can happen when partners work together.”

“It is because of Middlesex Community College and their wonderful students, faculty and staff that we have been able to bring this about,” said Jean Franco, Superintendent of Lowell Public Schools. “This is the beginning of a great partnership.” 

This year, Middlesex has focused on STEM education in its Service-Learning placements at the Bartlett School, which serves students from pre-K through eighth grade. During fall semester, more than 100 MCC students, 350 Bartlett students, and numerous faculty and staff were involved in the collaboration.

Through an AmeriCorps VISTA grant with Massachusetts Campus Compact, Dave Godin has served as a Service-Learning Liaison between the college and Bartlett.

“We work together to make a great learning experience for everyone involved,” said Godin. “And it’s making a difference. Through these types of projects, we can see how much the MCC students learn, and how much the Bartlett students learn. Students are learning more on both ends of the spectrum because they are more engaged with one another.”

In addition to founding the STEM Club at Bartlett, Middlesex education, psychology and human-services students have worked on individual and project-based Service-Learning initiatives at Bartlett. For example, a five-week Fair Trade Project encouraged fifth- and sixth-graders to explore how science can impact global and local community health. Bartlett students also visited Middlesex and conducted science experiments in a chemistry laboratory.

 For more information about Service-Learning at Middlesex, contact Cynthia Lynch, Service-Learning Coordinator, at lynchc@middlesex.mass.edu or 7581-280-3556.

MCC is one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in the state. We offer more than 75 degree and certificate programs, plus hundreds of noncredit courses, during the day, evening and weekend, on our Bedford and Lowell campuses, and online. Middlesex – a great place to begin your future!