FLORENCE – Under the watchful gaze of Mr. Kentucky, Dr. Tom Sproat tries to create excitement for science education.
“Young people today don’t quite understand the importance of science,” said Sproat, executive director of Biology Integration and Outreach for Science Education (BIOSE).
“This is a country that put people on the moon … and did it in less than 10 years. The next generation needs to understand the important role science played in that.”
BIOSE is a non-profit organization that sponsors science education programs in Northern Kentucky and Southwestern Ohio. Sproat, an adjunct professor at Gateway Community and Technical College, outlined the organization’s mission and programs at a meeting of the Florence Rotary Club on Monday, February 6.
As he spoke, a great horned owl named Kentucky sat quietly on a perch next to the podium, slowly swiveling his head to the right and left. The owl is among the stars in the Critters in the Classroom outreach program BIOSE presents in schools.
The owl and his fellow critters – including a turtle, a snake, a rabbit and a red-tailed hawk – get children’s attention and generate excitement for the presentation.
“That’s what we call inquiry-based instruction,” Sproat explained. “Children learn by asking questions. They ask questions based on their observations (of the animals). We help them answer their own questions.’
Critters in the Classroom is the premiere program in BIOSE’s educational outreach effort. The organization also creates science research opportunities for students and teachers. For example, BIOSE assigned a group of Covington Holmes High School students to test soil samples at Big Bone Lick State Park in Boone County.
Park officials wanted to move the bison pen to a different location. The students designed an experiment, collected data and analyzed different sites. Their success led to a nine-day project in Colorado the next year and an invitation to do research for the National Park Service a year later.
“That’s experiential learning,” Sproat said. “Those students fully experienced what it means to be a scientist.”
As Rotarians arrived at the meeting, Kentucky caused a stir. Some approached him cautiously. As he swiveled his head slowly, one would say to another, “Is he real?”
Kentucky would not answer. But he probably thought wisely to himself, “Got you excited about science, didn’t I?”
For information about the weekly meetings, guest speakers, and community service opportunities of the Florence Rotary Club, contact Pat Moynahan, president at amoynahan@insightbb.com or 859-802-0242. Visit the group’s website at www.florencerotary.org. Florence Rotary meets weekly on Mondays at noon at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Florence.