The Arizona Science Center is open for K-6 students unable to return to the classroom to do online coursework through their Science Hall program, following COVID-19 precautions.
The students are separated and grouped into “bubbles” by grade-level and are provided with a dedicated workspace to complete their school assignments for the day, according to the Science Center’s website.
When their schoolwork is finished, they can participate in hands-on STEAM activities from CONNECT @ Arizona Science Center, where topics such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, weather and more will be covered.
The Science Center has also implemented enhanced daily protocols, including daily deep cleaning of each classroom, minimized sharing of “high touch materials,” and seating placed at least six feet apart to ensure the safety of students and staff, said Alyson Smith, vice president of informal learning at the Arizona Science Center.
In addition, “COVID-19 precautions are in place at the Science Center, including required face coverings, health screenings, temperature checks, and regular hand washing,” AZFamily.com reported last week.
A sample schedule, provided by Smith, shows what a day in the Science Hall program looks like:
7:15 – 7:45 a.m.: Check-in
7:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Live virtual learning via electronic device — independent learning
11:30 – 12:00 p.m.: Lunch
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Live virtual learning via electronic device — independent learning
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Science enrichment
**With snack times and breaks included throughout the day
“Due to varying school schedules, our team members will work with each student to ensure they are online for all live virtual sessions and will complete independent assignments during the school day as time provides,” Smith said. “Our educators are science specialists who can provide basic support but are not tutors or classroom educators.”
As of Sept. 1, The Arizona Science Center allows daily registration for Science Hall instead of only weekly installations, meaning that parents can choose to drop their child off for one day or for the whole week.
Members pay a fee of $200 per student per week or $40 per day, while non-members pay $250 per week or $50 for a day. Scholarships are available on the Science Center’s website.
“We’re at about a fourth capacity now and are eager to serve more community members,” Smith said.
For information, visit Arizona Science Center’s Science Hall website.
Contact the reporter at mmjaskow@asu.edu.
