BHSU STUDENTS ASSIST WITH SIXTH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE CLASSES AT SPEARFISH MIDDLE SCHOOL

BHSU Professor of Geology Dr. Abigail Domagall and 12 BHSU students recently brought earth science to life during a visit to Spearfish Middle School, offering an interactive learning experience to sixth-grade students earlier this month. 

Dr. Domagall and the BHSU students spent a morning in the earth science classrooms of Mr. Elliot Carmany and Mr. Brendan Rotert teaching four hands-on classes about the common uses of rocks and minerals. They brought various rock and mineral samples and everyday items to the classrooms. The sixth-grade students learned to link minerals such as gypsum, graphite, and mica to items like drywall, pencil lead, and eyeshadow.   

“Activities like this are win-wins all around.  The BHSU students benefit in so many ways: they improve their communication skills, they learn the material better than they do from just a regular classroom, and they get to experience science outreach,” said Dr. Domagall. “I think the middle school students enjoy interacting with the college-aged students, and hopefully, they are gaining an appreciation for why they are learning about Earth science.”  

“As someone wanting to work in the science communication field after graduation, this experience reaffirmed my goals,” said BHSU student Anya Johnson. “It was so much fun to help the kids learn and explore the world around them. They were all so eager to discover ways we use minerals in everyday applications, and their enthusiasm was contagious.”  

“I think at BHSU, we can often bring materials, equipment, or activities that the middle school doesn't readily have access to. I believe that, as a university, giving back to our local community is something we should be doing,” added Dr. Domagall.