Partnership with Mayo Clinic, U of M helps Moreland students realize they are scientists

Moreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet's 3rd and 4th grade students are exploring science in a new way thanks to a partnership between the school, the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The program, called InSciEd Out, integrates science into all areas of curriculum, including reading and math. 

With the help of scientists from the Mayo Clinic and undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Minnesota, Moreland students conduct experiments focused on health and wellness to gain new knowledge, spark their curiosity and creativity, and work together to solve problems. 

"The partnering scientists from Mayo really work to help Moreland students realize that they are scientists, too," said Rebecca Haehnel, Moreland's magnet facilitator. "Besides using tools like microscopes and petri dishes, students are learning through inquiry and are using important critical thinking skills when planning and analyzing their results."

Specifically, 3rd graders are learning about healthy diets by observing and conducting experiments related to how zebrafish react differently to balanced diets or high-fat diets. The 3rd graders will share what they learned through the InSciEd Out unit at a Community Poster Session on Tuesday, April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Moreland gym. 

Fourth grade students are working with zebrafish embryos to discover how different types of sugars affect the development of the fish. Additionally, the 4th graders are leading a community wellness project where they help adult volunteers make healthy food and exercise choices.

"Students are genuinely interested in the experiments they've helped create for these projects," Haehnel said. "Plus, they love that the scientists and college students come to their classrooms to work with them and treat them like real scientists."

Next year, the InSciEd Out program will expand to include grades K-2 at Moreland. Additionally, Heritage E-STEM Magnet Middle School staff are working with InSciEd Out to explore ways to implement the program at Heritage in 2014-15.