April 28 – For the fourth year in a row, the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at the University of Memphis welcomed University Middle School (UMS) students for a science-based demonstration in recognition of Earth Day.
“Student engagement is very evident during events like this,” said UMS sixth grade science teacher Nathan Baskett. “Activities like Earth Day are important because they offer students interactive, hands-on experiences that help them remember and connect with their learning in the classroom.”
The theme of this year’s demonstration was “Extreme Weather & Emergency Preparedness.” Faculty and University students from the Department of Earth Sciences and the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) welcomed the UMS sixth grade class to participate in hands-on activities like tornado and earthquake simulations and archaeological investigations.
“This Earth Day has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together, brainstorm and collaborate,” said Dr. Youngsang Kwon, associate professor of Earth Sciences. “We launched this event right after the COVID pandemic, a time that reminded us how essential peer interaction is to both student’s learning and well-being. Using Earth science as a way to connect and give back has been incredibly meaningful.”
The activities coincide with UMS’ science curriculum, and the objective is to make the lessons “stick” with these activities. Baskett, a second-year teacher at UMS and current UofM graduate student, says this event gets his students excited for higher education, as they prepare to enter high school.
“This experience gives a glimpse into college campus life and introduces them to University students and faculty,” Baskett said. “It’s great to have a partnership that connects different levels of our campus community.
“This is often their first real exposure to complex scientific ideas — made even more impactful when taught by mentors who feel more like older siblings than traditional teachers,” said Kwon. “At the same time, our undergraduate and graduate students grow tremendously by stepping into teaching roles, deepening their own understanding as they learn to explain science in clear and relatable ways. It’s a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
The event is funded by UofM’s Green Fee. Kwon and others at CAS hope they can continue to expand the scale and impact of their Earth Day demonstrations in the years to come.
Media Contact:
Parker King, Assistant Director
University Media and Public Relations
University of Memphis
