MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Springmill Learning Center in Mansfield hosted ‘Science Saturday’ on Saturday morning. They invited children in second grade and above along with their parents to participate in science activities.
The activities encouraged involvement of the children’s parents and, in some cases, grandparents.
“I’m just impressed by the enthusiasm of the teachers. It’s an interesting and inviting building because there’s a variety of subjects available – just totally wonderful here,” said grandparent of Sarah and Ben Williams. She wished to remain anonymous.
In an effort to keep the building from falling into disuse, Mansfield City Schools and The Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU) partnered in 2014. Mansfield City Schools eliminated all teacher positions within the building earlier in 2014 due to a district-wide reduction in force.
The building, which opened as an elementary school in 1961, has been considered an asset to Mansfield City Schools and children from surrounding districts. It features various science and math galleries, a ropes course with climbing walls, and a bird study area. The center has also been the site of the Outdoor Education Program.
Saturday was the center’s first attempt at hosting a Science Saturday. The center experienced around 60 attendants in all, said Coordinator Meg Strong. The families were encouraged to reserve their opportunity in advance with a $2 surcharge per person collected upon arrival.
Five OSU professors volunteered to direct activities for the ‘Science Saturday:’ Dawn Kitchen, Ozeas Costa, Bill Alexander, Agus Munoz-Garcia, Carol Landry. One director was a certified teacher and graduate student from Kent State: Adriene Hopson.
In addition to the professors from The Ohio State at Mansfield were OSU students Maris Bucci and Tiffany Tilley. The two students volunteered to coordinate an activities room for children younger than second grade.
Strong said the center plans on hosting three more Science Saturdays in the next consecutive months: February 28, March 28, April 25. Visit Springmill Learning Center’s website for more information, or call 419-525-6348.
