“Students involved in the Science, Nature and Art Program are more likely to be academic risk takers.”
If you haven’t been to the Wagner Free Institute of Science just off Temple’s Campus, you are missing something that is one-of-a-kind. Bringing together science and art is just one aspect of this mid-19th century science museum and Executive Director Susan Glassman told us more about their work.
What is the coolest thing a participant in your program ever said to you?
This is from one of the classroom teachers who had SNAP in his class for several years – we love his observation that the program encourages risk-taking and students diving into things in new ways:
“After doing this for two years now I’ve noticed that students involved in the SNAP program are more likely to be academic risk takers. What I mean by this is where shy students would normally sit back and not try something out of fear of being “wrong,” instead are willing to put themselves out there, to try something new. The SNAP projects the students make are visual representations of this risk taking. “
What is the most important thing you do to help your teaching artists do their best work?
We handle all the logistics for SNAP (i.e. ordering supplies, administration, etc.) so that our teaching artists can focus fully on teaching, developing the lessons and investing their energy in their work with students in the classroom.
If you could magically change one thing to make your program better, what would it be?
We would make SNAP a year-long program instead of than 8 weeks. Everyone would love to have it for the full year!
Share a book you read that changed how you think about your work.
Rachel Carson’s A Sense of Wonder (it informs our whole approach to teaching and learning)
Best. Snack. Ever.
Rock cycle fudge (we make it with GeoKids classes)!
Part of a continuing series featuring our 2019 Bartol grantees.