Woonsocket High School students spent a day in late January at Roger Williams University, exploring the inner workings of sheep hearts and the academic opportunities available at the Bristol campus.

Part of Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR outreach programming, the Hands-on Science Experiences open doors to potential educational and career paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The events take place year round and throughout the RI NSF EPSCoR community, which counts RWU as one of its nine partner institutions.

The group of 20 freshmen, sophomores and juniors, 16 girls and four boys, dissected sheep hearts under the direction of RWU Adjunct Professor Erin Davis. The students also toured the campus wet lab and shellfish hatchery, where they viewed the millions of newly spawned baby oysters. The visit wrapped up with lunch in the RWU cafeteria, a visit with an admissions representative, and a campus tour.

“Every time we bring students to a campus or out in the field for Hands-on Science Experiences, and we witness the genuine excitement for learning and science discovery, it reinforces the critical importance of our EPSCoR outreach,” says Tim Pelletier, EPSCoR education, outreach and diversity coordinator. “Engaging students with interactive modules makes learning meaningful and opens their eyes to the vast opportunities in STEM education and careers.”

And yet, Pelletier adds, the hands-on modules transcend science and elevate the event to a significant and meaningful experience that holds life-changing potential.

“The modules stimulate all the senses of the students, who are eager to learn,” Pelletier says. “It’s the touch of the sand, the smell of the ocean; the touch and smell of a heart — this is what gets kids thinking, thinking about science, becoming involved, seeing themselves as a student, going to college, studying to be a scientist or maybe a teacher. This type of tactile, immersive, hands-on experience makes a difference in young lives.”

Jim Lemire, RI NSF EPSCoR undergraduate coordinator and RWU adjunct professor, biology and marine biology, collaborates with Pelletier and Davis to put on the sheep heart dissection lab.

He, too, see immense value in exposing the students to hands-on experiences that they otherwise might not have the chance to enjoy.

“For this program, in particular, we also want the students to leave with an impression of how cool and exciting science can be – how many times do you get to hold an actual heart in your hands?!” Lemire says.

Beyond the science, visiting a university campus also plays a key role, Lemire adds: “One of the barriers to pursuing a college degree is unfamiliarity with the college culture and an inability to picture oneself there. By bringing the students onto campus, having them dine in the cafeteria with everyone else, having them speak with the admissions office and get a tour, we hope they can begin to see themselves as a college student.  That is a very important first step.”

RI NSF EPSCoR connects with the students through the Rhode Island Educational Talent Search (ETS), which serves more than 1,000 low-income middle and high school students who are committed to their education and want to attend college. Students must demonstrate the desire and ability to stay on top of their school work by achieving C’s or better and, in exchange, gain guidance and support in pursuit of their college dreams.

The longstanding collaboration between RI NSF EPSCoR and ETS plays a key role in the national EPSCoR mission is to expose K-12 students to the STEM fields, build a more educated workforce, and enhance job creation.

Photos: Woonsocket High School students explore the circulatory system by dissecting sheep hearts, and then tour the Roger Williams University campus.

Story by Amy Dunkle | ETS photos