Hands-on science comes to Roosevelt Jr. High

The Univesity of Illinois Extension Mobile Science Lab visited
Roosevelt Junior High on Tuesday and Wednesday,
November 3rd and 4th.

Roosevelt Junior High School students paired up to dissect albino rats
inside the University of Illinois Extension mobile science lab.

Students were dubbed "surgeons" and "assistants' as they worked together
on the dissection.

Dr. Oyewole Ajifolokun, a licensed veterinarian and University of Illinois
Extension animal science educator, demonstrates the dissection
process to students.

Roosevelt Junior High School seventh and eighth grade students received a hands-on lesson in science when they boarded a University of Illinois Extension Mobile Science Laboratory.

The 34-foot, two-year-old Winnebago-style Science on the Go bus came to the Dolton school on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3rd and 4th.

Squeamishness was set aside for most of the students as they took part in the dissection of dead albino rats. Participation was voluntary and each student who wished to engage in the study paid $4 to cover the cost of each rat.

Dr. Oyewole “Dr. Oye” Ajifolokun, a licensed veterinarian and University of Illinois Extension animal science educator, spoke about the rat anatomy and its similarity to the internal human structure. In addition, the students also watched a video which explained the dissection procedure and the various parts of the rat.

Students worked in pairs with those opting to do the actual cutting assuming the role of surgeons and their partners served as surgical assistants.
Afterward, students were eager to share their thoughts about the experience. One student called it “awesome.” Another said it was “very educational.” Yet another student said she was surprised how similar the make-up of a rat is to a human.

On a survey form completed by students and teachers, many said they would like to have the mobile science lab return to Roosevelt. One student suggested next time, the children should dissect a raccoon.

Roosevelt Junior High Principal Shalonda Randle credited seventh grade Science Teacher Paige Lovejoy for finding out about the availability of the mobile science lab. Randle said she would like University of Illinois Extension educators to return and provide additional instruction to even more students. The Science on the Go bus also visited with students at Lincoln Avenue School this school year.

Dr. Oye, a native of Nigeria, said he has a passion to teach, enjoys working with students, and serving as a role model to them.
He said some lessons cannot be taught in regular classroom settings and he hopes laboratory opportunities such as this will encourage young people to pursue a career in science and also spark an interest in different areas of science.
“It’s important to teach the kids while they are very young,” he said.

Dr. Oye talked to the RJH youths, asked them questions about the function of various parts of the human and rat make-up, and commended them for their understanding and knowledge.

The Science on the Go Mobile Laboratory delivers science and math programming and travels throughout a 950 square mile area of Cook County. The vehicle primarily serves schools but also can accommodate young adults, working-age adults, senior citizens and wheel chair-bound persons.
The lab features 11 individual desk-work stations, refrigerators, wireless Internet access and such scientific equipment as microscopes, graphic calculators, probes, and more. Programs offered include animal science, biology, food science, health, horticulture, math, physics, robotics and technology.

Students sat at 11 individual desk-work stations located inside the mobile lab.

Dr. Oye asks students some questions.

These students work together to open the plastic bag containing the rat.

Dr. Oye poses for a picture with Roosevelt Junior High Principal Shalonda Randle.

*Many of these photos are courtesy of RJH Teacher Joseph Smith.