Hidden Gems for Helping Science Educators

By Zach Constan

At one time or another, most science educators have probably fancied themselves a would-be Don Herbert, whose pioneering “Watch Mr. Wizard” program featured a steady stream of spectacular experiments that captivated kids and ultimately produced a generation of enthusiastic scientists. Though Herbert’s heyday was in the 1960s, his recent passing generated an outpouring of tributes and obituaries. “Herbert’s techniques and performances helped create the United States’ first generation of homegrown rocket scientists just in time to respond to Sputnik,” wrote Bill Nye, the host of the Emmy-winning PBS series “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” in the Los Angeles Times . “He sent us to the moon. He changed the world.”

Much has changed since Herbert and his frothing beakers were fixtures on Saturday morning television. But today’s science educators are still inspired to bring the wonder of the universe to students of all ages. We want to share our love of science and enjoy the thrill of discovery when a student “gets it” for the first time. But today’s classroom also presents challenges: limited budgets, time constraints, and testing associated with state and national standards. And, of course, contemporary students are accustomed to the outrageous scale of spectacle that’s now standard fare in entertainment, from films to video games.

How do we overcome these challenges and help lead students to a fascination with science that can foster their desire to learn new things throughout their lives, an imperative survival skill in the 21st century? At least one part of the answer may be closer at hand than many educators may think, tucked away at nearby universities and, perhaps, national laboratories located in their areas. Though most of us know these institutions for their advanced education and research efforts, they also are rich, relatively untapped sources for public education and outreach,...