Muskingum News

Some aspects of science can require creative teaching methods in order to make the subject easy to understand and enjoyable for children in preschool or elementary school. A new program at Muskingum, “MU investigates,” tackled this challenge over the summer. Alexis Christman ‘18 of Sarahsville, Ohio collaborated with Dr. Ana Kehrberg, associate professor of psychology, to create and implement fun and interactive activities that help educate children ages 3-6 about the human body.

“We were working to increase scientific understanding and enthusiasm in Muskingum County by reaching out to local 3 through 6-year-olds and introducing them to the human body through six different sessions,” said Dr. Kehrberg. “We wanted to get them excited about science.”

Activities included blowing into a plastic bag through a straw to demonstrate the use of the lungs; learning how saliva works by crushing crackers in a bag and pouring water into it; and “heartbeat races,” by transferring a gallon of water, representing blood, to another bowl.

Following each activity, Christman and Dr . Kehrberg gave the parents and their children the opportunity to share their thoughts on each lesson by filling out a survey. The results they received were positive, useful to her research and will play an integral part in creating future lesson plans, Christman said.

“What we found from the surveys is that the kids preferred the hands-on activities,” she said. “Some of these kids were very impressed with the things that they learned.”

Dr. Kehrberg set the bar high for her first fellowship program and will implement the research into an activity day, open to any child residing in Muskingum and neighboring counties, this spring. Many Muskingum organizations, including Phi Psi and the Nursing Student Organization, will manage and instruct science activities.

“We want preschool and elementary school aged kids to bring their families and experience the human body through hands-on activities together,” said Kehrberg.