Call it an experiment in education.
The Bay Academy held a science night on March 27, but instead of students doing experiments and showing the results, teachers and professionals came to do demonstrations of their own.
“Students learned not only about science, but about what opportunities there are as they get older to go into the sciences,” said parent coordinator Cari DiMari, who organized the event.
More than 700 visitors filed into the Emmons Avenue school’s cafeteria to hear presentations from the police and fire departments, Coney Island Hospital, and the Staten Island Zoo — just some of organizations that came out to show kids what they can do in the sciences, DiMari said.
Kids learned about hard science, but they also got a glimpse into social sciences with exhibits that focused on things like confirmation bias.
The school’s principal said the groups volunteered their time as a way to promote the field.
“They’re giving up their time because they have a passion for science — as we do here at Bay Academy,” said principal Maria Timo.
Teachers gave their own presentations, too.
“Over 70 staff came — and that’s after they’ve spent all this time after preparing for state exams,” Timo said.
Timo said the night was meant to inspire students, but it was also a nod to a subject she feels does not get enough credit.
“It’s a nice way to appreciate science, which has been on the back-burner for too long,” she said.
