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The giggles, gasps and rapidly raised hands were unusual actions for a University of Idaho lecture hall.
On the morning of March 6 the auditorium in the Engineering Physics Building was filled with more than 60 third graders from West Park Elementary.
The pupil’s visit to campus was through the Kids on Campus program, run through the ASUI Center for Volunteerism and Social Action.
The third graders listened to UI faculty Chris Berven speak about the solar system. The children anxiously asked questions about comets and space. Then Berven made a comet out of elements including dry ice, corn syrup, dirt and water. The children gasped and applauded in astonishment.
The program included breakfast, the lecture and a tour of Berven’s research area.
Nine-year-old Jaylynne Reed said she liked the presentation and new information.
“Some of the things we didn’t know,” she said. “That was cool.”
Reed said she likes visiting the college campus.
“Its fun — we get to meet college kids,” Jaylynne said.
Eight-year-old Isaac Stone likes learning about planets.
“I’m interested in planets, meteors and how stuff works,” Isaac said.
Mary Karin Miller, one of the West Park Elementary third-grade teachers, said the children enjoyed themselves.
“It is nice of UI to share its experts,” Miller said.
The group was larger than the average Kids on Campus visiting group of around 40.
Junior Emily Kuhl is the youth education intern in the volunteer center. Her favorite part of her job is being with the children.
“It makes my whole day better,” she said.
Kuhl arranges the Kids on Campus programs. Every month one group of kindergartners and one group of older elementary pupils come to UI. The older pupils have their science curriculum supplemented, as the third graders did. The pupils visit different areas of campus including the interior design department and the SOILS programs.
Sophomore Zach Arama, who volunteered at the event, said the Kids on Campus program is fantastic.
“I wish I could have come to a college like this when I was younger,” Arama said. “It is a great learning experience.”
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