Programs inspire tomorrow’s scientists today

As an investment institute, the Fralin Life Sciences Institute has been stimulating young minds about science for 16 years. 

The director of education and outreach programs for the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Kristy Collins, implements its mission by nurturing the next generation of environmental and life science researchers through a multitude of programs. 

“I’m supposed to go out and spread science love,” Collins said. “That’s what I do. There are so many pockets of students and teachers to reach.”

And reach them she does – with a little help. 

Collins has amassed a network of faculty, administrators, staff, and students who have helped the magic of science inspire nearly 4,000 young minds across the institute’s multiple programs this fiscal year alone. Building off of the institute's cornerstone program, Kids’ Tech University, this effort now includes Kids’ Tech en Espanol, a one-day event for families whose first language is not English, and Kids’ Tech University Graduate School, a one-day event for students who are ages 13-16. 

Beginning its 16th year this fall, Kids’ Tech University, is a hands-on and interactive STEM initiative specifically geared toward children aged 9-12. It aims to engage children and inspire them to consider the vast field of life sciences for potential careers. 

Kids’ Tech University hosts 160 children in Virginia Tech’s Steger Hall four Saturdays during the spring semester. The kids gather for an interactive lecture by a Virginia Tech professor, who introduces the theme of the day and explains research, while the children’s parents gather in another building and watch the lecture remotely. 

After the lecture, the parents and kids enjoy lunch at Owens Dining Hall before returning to Steger, which by then has been transformed into a STEM wonderland of a multitude of hands-on activities to appeal to the inner scientist in any kid. Together, the children and their parents explore the various activities for the afternoon.

“It’s the exposure and the experiential education that just kind of opens her mind up and has her asking questions and thinking about things,” said Tyrone Power Cherry III, a homeschooling parent who travels from Petersburg, Virginia, for his daughter Jade to attend the four sessions. “It’s super cool that she gets to go back home and share what she learned with her siblings, so it gets them excited and they get to participate even though they weren’t here.”

While many of the initiatives that Collins focuses on are held during the fall and spring semesters, the summer allows her the ability to nurture more grassroots activities, including weekly STEM camps for children ages 9-12, a weeklong high school summer intern program with students and teachers from Achievable Dream Academy, and, more recently, a homeschool STEM club that meets at various public libraries in the area as well as on the Blacksburg campus.

Support for learning

What makes the programs so successful are the many volunteers of students and faculty who believe in such a kid-centered investment.

ORION, a science-oriented living-learning community, and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers are shining examples of groups that introduce the possibility of volunteering with Kids’ Tech to Virginia Tech students. While many students must complete a certain number of hours volunteering, they are not required to be as infectious as they are in their love of science when explaining their activities to the kids. 

“I recruited over 30 volunteers to assist with Kids' Tech University events,” said Jackie Gregasavitch, the society's service chair for 2023-24 and a rising junior in systems biology. “I love how the program introduces young students to various STEM-related topics and nurtures the next generation of scientists, doctors, engineers, and more. There is truly nothing better than witnessing the excitement and possibility in the children's eyes as they engage with the concepts being presented.” 

Faculty members also volunteer to create kid-centric presentations and then design an age-appropriate activity for the afternoon session. Many of these professors have young children themselves and are eager to participate in the program that their own children are attending.

“I was proud to see the efforts of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute to support the first Kids' Tech University ¡en Español!,” said Luis Escobar, associate professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. “I was happy to serve as the main lecturer of the event to try to make the audience feel represented by a migrant Latino, first-generation-college scientist,” 

Escobar said making the event in Spanish empowered parents to help their kids with the different activities organized. 

“As such, this was a truly inclusive event and a potential avenue to motivate parents to support kids aspiring to be scientists. I hope this activity also helps kids feel proud of their heritage and language and to encourage them to go to college,” he said. 

Some faculty believe so strongly in the idea of investing in early childhood education that they include it as a broader impacts component in their grant proposals to supplement the costs of running Kids’ Tech, as well as to create scholarships. 

“Kids’ Tech is a fantastic opportunity for kids in Southwest Virginia to get unique hands-on experiences in STEM that will inspire them to become the next generation of scientists, engineers, and health professionals,” said Kylie Allen, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry. “It also allows Virginia Tech graduate and undergraduate students to gain valuable experience in communicating science that is accessible and engaging to a broad audience.”

Collaborations bring success

Because outreach is a priority, Collins is willing to work with many individuals and organizations to spread the love of science.

During the pandemic, Kids’ Tech University adapted by going 100 percent virtual. In doing so, many students who may not have been able to attend in person because of physical constraints were able to participate. 

Such was the case for Acacia McKenna’s son, who was living in Northern Virginia at the time.

“During the pandemic, my son was in second and third grade. At that time, he missed engaging in-person with friends and used innovation as a tool for sense making,” said McKenna, director of competitions for the National Science Teaching Association. “The program helped him to find creativity, innovation and joy during a very difficult time for young students.”

Seeing the positive influence it had on her son, McKenna continues to champion the National Science Teaching Association’s support for Kids’ Tech University through funding.

Students who volunteer may collaborate with Collins in designing a hands-on activity that integrates their research area with a means for children to understand. These activities help graduate students develop their presentation skills and learn how to break down the often complex language of their area of expertise for a general audience. 

“Some of these volunteers are biology majors, so they know what they’re doing. They feel comfortable coming in and doing a DNA candy activity, for example,” Collins said. “Undergrads talk. They find out about KTU from their friends and then they want to volunteer because they heard it is a fun opportunity.”

More about these programs can be found online at the Fralin Life Sciences Institute education and outreach page.