Cultivating Future Scientists: The Edison Science Club
Zoetis Senior Scientist Dom Pullo during the virtual Champs Celebration.
At the 13th Annual Champs Celebration, presented by Kalsec, The Edison Science Club was honored with a 2020 Champ Award which was sponsored by BASIC Benefits and Miller-Davis Company. Edison Environmental Science Academy’s CIS Site Coordinator Cameron Massimino introduced us to these Zoetis-led volunteers who champion children. [If you missed this virtual event, you can click here to watch the Champs Celebration. This video will remain accessible throughout November.]
For 16 years now, science-minded volunteers make monthly visits to Edison Environmental Science Academy. Initiated by Zoetis Senior Scientist Dom Pullo, the volunteers enhance about 27 fifth graders’ learning of science through inquiry and hands-on activities.
Photo credit: Freshwater Photography
Photo Credit: Freshwater Photography
In Science Club, students become scientists! Wearing lab coats and lanyards, and occasionally donning goggles and gloves, students extract DNA from peas, investigate circuit theory, study water filtration, and more. Thanks to a grant from Zoetis, CIS was able to purchase state-of-the-art microscopes so students can view specimens close-up.
The Science Club even recruited Cash, a very friendly and hairy, 105-pound volunteer. Cash assists Zoetis veterinarians (Dr. Theodore Sanders, Jr. – DVM, MS, MBA, DACLAM Executive Director Animal Research Support, Dr. Marike Visser – DVM, PhD, DACVCP , and Dr. Paul Reynolds, DVM – Retired) in demonstrating animal check-ups. [Cash sat down for an interview with us and we’ll be publishing that conversation in the near future.]
As Edison students look on, Dr. Theodore Sanders, Jr. demonstrates an animal check-up (photo taken last school year).
In addition to Dom Pullo and the three veterinarians noted above, the Edison Science Club has been supported by a number of dedicated volunteers over the years, including: Blair Cundiff, Jacqueline Killmer, Shannon Smith, Teresa Miller, Joshua Kuipers, Stacey Wensink, Sherry Garrett, Kelsey Lammers, Kelly Turner-Alston, Kelly Kievit, Matthew Krautman, Brianna Pomeroy, Tiyash Parira, Tobias Clark, Lisa Yates, Elizabeth Graham, Ben Hummel, Clark Smothers, Adam Schoell, Rose Gillesby, and Thomas Berg.
Dr. Paul Runnels accepting the Champs award for his team.
Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Rocann Fleming says both students and staff LOVE the science club. These dedicated volunteers, some who’ve now retired or moved on from Zoetis, still show up and inspire young minds. Their passion for science is contagious.
“I’ve learned,” says one student who dreams of becoming a veterinarian, “there’s a lot you can’t see in this world that is real—like bacteria!—so wash your hands.” “Well, I’m going to be a scientist,” says another girl. “I’m not sure what kind yet, but probably a woman scientist!”
Edison Science Club, thank you for helping kids stay in school and succeed in life.
Tags: Adam Schoell, BASIC, Ben Hummel, Blair Cundiff, Brianna Pomeroy, Cameron Massimino, Champs 2020, Clark Smothers, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), Dom Pullo, Dr. Marike Visser, Dr. Paul Reynolds, Dr. Theodore Sanders Jr, Edison Environmental Science Academy, Elizabeth Graham, Jacqueline Killmer, Joshua Kuipers, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalsec, Kelly Kievit, Kelly Turner-Alston, Kelsey Lammers, Lisa Yates, Matthew Krautman, Miller-Davis Company, Rocann Fleming, Rose Gillesby, Shannon Smith, Sherry Garrett, Stacey Wensink, Teresa Miller, Thomas Berg, Tiyash Parira, Tobias Clark, Zoetis
