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Patrick M. said he thought the planetarium was cool and he wished his house was like that. Micah said he loved the energy exhibit, especially the automobile that ran on oxygen and water as fuel. Christina said the biology lesson on the circulatory system was very interesting and enjoyable.

GCC Physics professor Dr. Jean Lecuyer demonstrating a science project

     These testimonials by local elementary school students who have visited the Cimmarusti Science Center as part of Glendale College’s K-12 student outreach program show just how effective this project, as well as the teacher training program, has been since the science center opened in October of 2003. The visits are geared towards third and fifth grade students who are studying the solar system and space in their classrooms.

     Thanks to a major grant from the Sexton Foundation and support from the federal government and other funders, new media has been purchased for the college’s planetarium shows, as well as materials for its hands-on science exhibits and workshops. Serving as a resource and assistance center in science and math education for elementary and secondary schools in the Los Angeles area, the center is dedicated to improving the understanding of mathematics and science at these very important age levels.

     Sexton Foundation Trustees Dave Phinney and Mike Regan visited the campus recently for an update on the science center’s elementary school outreach program. “I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen at the planetarium and energy exhibit,’’ said Regan. “Our philosophy has been that we need to reach students at the elementary school level.’’

     Joy Hinckley, a retired elementary school teacher from Pasadena who coordinates the visits for elementary school students at the college along with Judy Hartman, said that the site visits and teacher training are invaluable for the students. “The planetarium visits would almost be enough, but we have professionals like Paul Buehler and new astronomy ]instructor Jennifer Krestow to really bring the subject matter to life for the kids,’’ said Hinckley.

     Added Science Center Director Dr. Jean Lecuyer, “The big thing for this project is getting the kids on campus and getting them exposed to and excited about science. We have done that, and we would love to do more. As long as the funding is there, we can continue to make our resources available to the community.’’ &

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