Awakening Young Minds: Biology Professor Danielle Grove Brings Science to First Graders

TLU Biology Professor Dr. Danielle Grove spent some time with a group of future scientists last week-first graders at Goodwin Frazier Elementary School in New Braunfels, where she was a guest in Mrs. Borgfeld's class. (Emily King Borgfeld, as well as her husband Cody, are TLU alums, class of '02 and '05, respectively.)

"I started off with a short description answering the questions 'What is science?' and 'What does a scientist do?'" Grove says. "Then I started explaining my research to them." Knowing that first graders were unlikely to possess much knowledge of cell structure, Grove brought along plenty of visual aids, showing the kids images of plant and animal cells, among other things.

"I demonstrated growing cells in a petri dish-cell culture dish, technically-and showed them what 1 milliliter looks like in a small microcentrifuge tube." Grove put a single milliliter of purple dye into the tiny tube, allowing the students to understand the small amounts scientists often work with in their research.

Of course, she brought along a few other important tools of the trade as well. "I took one of our microscopes that we'd purchased with some donated funds last year." She showed the students plant cells dividing under the powerful lens. "It was cool when they'd recognize what they were looking at and have that aha! moment."

Grove also showed photos of TLU science students working in the lab, explaining some of the research she's been leading-examining chemicals that come out of plastics and their effects on the body.

The visit wrapped up with a Q&A session. "There were many good questions about the science itself," Grove says. For example, the kids wanted to know why we use chemicals if they're bad for our health, and what the effects are.

Then there was Grove's favorite question: What is that thing on the table that you never used? "Aha! I'd forgotten to demonstrate the 100-milliliter graduated cylinder," she says with a laugh. Stirring up interest in science was as important as the science itself that day. "They are just so curious and so excited to learn. It helped invigorate my teaching."

Grove had entered the classroom feeling a little nervous about how it would go. Introducing advanced concepts to six-year-olds was going to be a new challenge for a professor used to college-level minds. "I went into it a little concerned about being able to explain my research on a first-grade level and having them understand," she says. "After all, these students don't even really know about cells." She was in for a pleasant surprise, though. "They paid so much attention and were so focused, it really was very rewarding, and the nerves just melted away."

And best of all, a genuine interest in science was sparked in a crew of young minds-budding scientists in the making.