It was incredibly well organized, very friendly staff, and perfectly suited to kids. It was the highlight of the fair for my kids!
I helped out at the Bio Bus during the visit to the HOWL festival. I don't have a science background but prior to the event I was told that we would be looking at Daphnia. Having the opportunity to prepare in advance made me comfortable with the subject and sharing my knowledge with the visitors.
The BioBus is an amazing organization trying to improve science education and inspire young students to see the process that is scientific discovery. While we are still getting some things off the ground, the progress made by the scientists and teachers who realize the importance of this mission has been outstanding.
The BioBus is an exciting mobile science classroom that brings a state-of-the art microscope lab to schools all over NYC. It gives students an explorative, "hands-on" experience and sparks their interest in science. Moreover, the students interact with real-life scientists, who volunteer their time to teach as well as serve as role models.
I had a great experience upon boarding the BioBus. Every aspect was explained to me with great detail. It was very interesting and I enjoyed it immensely.
I love the idea of a traveling science classroom roving the cities, towns and byways. It is a great way to bring a passion for science to children and adults.
I first heard about the BioBus about a year and a half ago at a meeting of the Future Science Educators group in NYC. I began volunteering soon after and have seen the program develop first-hand. The BioBus is a mobile lab on wheels - bringing research grade microscopes and computers to students who otherwise wouldn't have access to such equipment. We started off small, but are working to develop our curriculum and better connect our lessons with the state standards and what students are learning in the classroom. We are formalizing lesson plans and preparing activities for teachers to do in the classroom before and after our visit - this helps the students get the most out of our visit as possible. I love science, and even more, I love teaching science. Kids ask fabulous questions. It's also important to show them that science is done by people - people just like them. The BioBus gives them first-hand experience doing experiments and the chance to interact directly with "real scientists."
I first was introduced to the BioBus in 6th grade at my middle school in Monroe CT. This one day sparked an interest that has been with me ever since, sustainability. Designing a product of any sort; including cars, houses, or even clothing; that lowers its carbon footprint on the earth and therefore creates a better, greener product and overall condition of living has been my focus of studies ever since. This past spring I graduated from Keene State College with an Architectural Bachelor of Science Degree and a Minor in Safety Studies both with a focus on sustainability. Through my college experience I have taken many classes focusing on sustainable product design and green energy including sustainable construction and architectural systems, sustainable design, and all of my core design studio classes. Earlier this summer I ran into the BioBus and talked with the people and offered my help in any way possible. I hope to make this a lifelong connection and will be helping out in any way I can.
I see the fantastic response that students and teachers have to the experience of a BioBus visit at a school. The cutting edge microscopes and imaging technology allow students to collect biological samples and immediately be amazed about the microscopic world. This is not a sterile classroom experience where they are learning about science from a text book. Here they are experiencing scientific discovery first hand. Children are naturally curious, but need to explore the world experience. The use of volunteer scientists from local universities, bring the best scientific minds to the students. The whole process brings the community together and gives the students in disadvantaged school districts the chance to see the world that is available to them if they work hard and study.
I first met Ben Dubin-Thaler years ago at a conference at the NIH in Bethesda. At the time I was very impressed by his knowledge of computer analysis of biological microscopy. Later, when I was transitioning my career from research science to full-time teaching, I read about the BioBus in The Scientist magazine and thought that this was a great idea. Schools are weak on hands-on science education and a visit from the bus is precisely the break in routine and exposure to new ideas that make education sticky. This organization is exceptionally well organized, inclusive of volunteers, and provides valuable educational services. Using guided inquiry and real scientists with real microscopes, the BioBus brings valuable lessons to students.
I met with BioBus organizers and was very impressed with their philosophy of open-ended and accessible learning. The components of the Pond Water module were refined to address local educational guidelines, but high priority was placed on leaving the discovery process open through free sampling of water.
The BioBus is run by a small group of inspiring individuals who have helped bring science to underprivileged students in the areas around New York City. They are particularly dedicated to their work, even though they do not get paid significantly for it. I began volunteering for them this past summer and was astonished at the amount they had already accomplished with a small team. My only criticism is that they could use more hands to help and that there isn't yet a second BioBus. Most importantly, the organization is making important scientific issues (such as climate change) accessible to young students and ultimately raising genuine interest in science for the next generation. In my short time volunteering, they have made me feel very welcome and have a contagious amount of enthusiasm.
The BioBus is fantastic! I volunteered during the World Science Festival in NY, at the Gathering of the Vibes music festival in CT, as well as at a handful of summer camps in NY. I saw students of all ages come on board the bus and become excited by the beauty and complexity of the microscopic world.
Wow. Earth Day can often be a real drag -- a bunch of people showing you how to feel bad about yourself because you're not buying coffee beans from the right place. But in NYC on Earth Day, I happened upon the BioBus -- a really positive and educational experience all-around. The science experiments were important, and yet easily explained to the "layman" by the BioBus's staff. (Examples: Photosynthesis, solar energy, microscopic organisms found in common lakes and rivers, agriculture...) Kids and adults were intrigued and entertained by the ideas presented on the BioBus. The bus, which runs on bio-fuel gathered from fast food restaurants (finally, a use for all that grease!), even has it's own "rooftop garden," where grasses and other plants are grown. Look at their website to see where they're touring, and look for the bus when you can -- it's colorful, one of a kind, and easy to recognize. Highly recommended. http://biobus.org/
the tour was great, the tour guides were motivated and and knowledgable (and fun!). NYC is lucky to have this resource and i hope all school get to see this amazing mobile classroom.
I am in the 9th grade, and i really enjoy working on the Biobus and with Dr. Ben Dubin-Thaler. The bus is very exciting, because a lot of the classes he teaches are all about tiny organisms. kids get really excited about being able to use microscopes and they learn a lot more about science then they knew before.
In 2008, I assisted Dr. Ben with teaching several classes of students at Frederick Douglass Academy III (FDA III). The plan was to bring on as many students as possible in several groups so that they could get a brief overview of what the BioBus was and encourage them to begin to work with us. I met quite a few students, some of which were really excited about what Dr. Ben was doing. After a very tiring, and very rewarding day, I began to walk to the train to take me home. On my way there, I ran into one of the students, a young woman, which had showed interest in the BioBus. We discussed how to learn more, even touching on how graduate school helped me. Months later, I again volunteered on the BioBus to assist Dr. Ben at FDA III. I was surprised and gladden to see the same young woman working on the BioBus in the after school program. Given the continuing need for scientists, the BioBus shows students that science is exciting, and that being a scientist is an attainable career.
The Biobus, an absolutely outstanding initiative of Dr Dubin-Thaler, gave students the opportunity to see life beyond their eyes, through high-tech microscopes, into microorganisms that affect our daily lives. According to the students' feedback, this was the first time most of them came into contact with real life scientists. This first impression happened in the relaxed environment of a school bus led by young scientists, and they became aware of how "cool" science can be. The brilliant questions raised by some students made me proud of being part of this eye-opening experience.
After bringing the BioBus to my school for a week and seeing the excitement it gave to my students I was committed to getting more involved in this project. Since that visit I have joined the BioBus's board of directors and helped to develop its science currciulum. I truly believe the BioBus provides a great way to get students motivated to become a part of the world of science.