Towson University's Saturday Morning Science: Albert Einstein

9:30 a.m. on a Saturday. The sky is gray, it's a bit cloudy, and Towson University's campus is filled with over 100 children, parents, and grandparents eagerly walking toward Smith Hall. Saturday Morning Science is about to begin.

Out front of Smith Hall Theatre is a delicious assortment of donuts, coffee, and juice to make anyone a morning person. Behind the tables are students from Towson University's MB3 Club, who volunteer each week to set up and interact with community members. On the opposite side of the room are free books provided for kids of all ages.

Inside, before the show begins, I had the chance to meet a few community members who came to the show. Kierston, an 8 year old, and her Mother, have attended three sessions of Saturday Morning Science so far. Kierston wants to be an engineer, and finds Saturday Morning Science to be fun and entertaining. Daniel, a 12 year old, has only missed two out of 40 Saturday Morning Science sessions. His mother and grandmother stated that he is so dedicated, that he volunteers each week. When asked what keeps them coming, the answer was easy: "Dr. Thomas himself." Dr. Donald Thomas is Towson University's 'Resident Astronaut' and Director of the Willard Hackerman Academy. All morning I watched him enthusiastically interact with members of the audience, and it was easy to see that he has developed a great rapport with a number of them.

Before the show, I was lucky enough to meet the man himself, Albert Einstein. I found Mr. Einstein to be very outgoing, and of course, extremely intelligent. He began the show with energy, fun, and lots of audience interaction, themes which carried on throughout his presentation. While he talked about complex topics such as Physics and the Theory of Relativity, he made everything easy to understand and a great experience to learn. My favorite thing about the show was his singing and dancing, making difficult topics engaging and easy to remember. He encouraged learning and imagination, and while talking about his life, stated "I was not successful because I had more knowledge than anyone else; I was successful because I imagined."

Following the show, families were encouraged to stay for "Hands on Science" where they got to choose from a variety of fun activities, including waves and motion. It was a great start to a Saturday.

I highly recommend Saturday Morning Science to kids and families of all ages. No matter your age, you will come away with a smile on your face and a new appreciation for science. Make sure to arrive early to secure a good seat as the program is very popular, and enjoy great refreshments before the show!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Towson University
• Saturday Morning Science
• Hackerman Academy
• Albert Einstein