SMILE workshop inspires science inquiry

EOU hosts SMILE workshop for area elementary, middle school students

April 1, 2015

Photo by Kaitlin Cassidy / Students built Lego helicopters as one of many activities during the SMILE workshop at EOU last year.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Eastern Oregon University is hosting about 50 elementary and middle school students from Ontario and Nyssa for an all-day science workshop Saturday, April 11.

Donna Rainboth and Tawnya Lubbes, both faculty members in EOU’s College of Education, are partnering with the Oregon State University Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) program to bring the students to campus.

“This is a great way to engage students in hands-on science exploration and inquiry at a university they could choose to attend one day,” Rainboth said.

SMILE provides educational programming through its afterschool science and math clubs for underserved youth, and training and support for teachers in rural grade and high schools in Oregon. A majority of those students are minority students, students who are low income and those who would be the first in their families to go to college.

EOU education majors completing endorsements in English for speakers of other languages will work with the elementary and middle schoolers while they are on campus. The opportunity to mentor younger students from a diverse population is integral to their experience.

The day concludes with a magic show presented by EOU’s Chemistry Club advised by Anna Cavinato, professor of chemistry.

For more information contact Katie Butterfield in the College of Education at 541-962-2012 or kbutterfield@eou.edu.