Parents at the Salk School of Science work on experiments with
their children during the school's first Family Science Night

Parents went back to the classroom this week at the Salk School of Science in Manhattan.  

The middle school hosted its first ever Family Science Night, asking parents to join their sixth graders in the classroom for some hands-on lessons. Parents experimented with acids and bases, learned how to extract DNA samples, and built free-standing towers with their children.   

“This event gives us a chance to show parents what goes on in our science classrooms,” sixth grade teacher Betsy Schneck said. “We are showing parents the curriculum and how the kids are in engaged in hands on science learning.”

More than 40 families attended workshops in earth science, chemistry, and physics, which were led by the school’s teachers.

Sixth grader Gloriela Iguina-Colon said she was excited to have her mom learning with her in the science lab.

“When I need help with my homework in the future, my mom will be more helpful if she knows what I’m doing,” Iguina-Colon said. “And I always want to spend more time with my mom, so it’s great to have her here tonight.”

Parents said they enjoyed the opportunity to be students for the evening.

“I wanted to see the cutting edge in science for middle school kids,” sixth grade parent Robin Samson said. “I’ve been very impressed by this event.”

“It’s nice to see how the kids are using materials in class," another parent, David Chan, said. "We are getting to see a lot of activities in a short period of time."

Another goal of the night was to raise science awareness in the community. Parents received materials on science museums and activities that they can visit with their children.

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