What do students say?
FirstHand provides an affirming, safe space to take risks, be creative, and try new things —an experience that students say has changed their perspective on science
“I think the FirstHand space is special because it basically tells you you’re smart and you should be here.”
“I participate more in class…because, usually, I do not talk in front of a class or in front of people.”
“I feel as though it’s a really refreshing environment to experience, even if you’re not interested in science, you’ll have some type of curiosity after you walk out of here, after every lesson, it makes you want to go to Youtube… It’s a good place to step outside of your comfort zone, but it’s a safe, sacred place kind of… where you can get away from school, it is kind of like school, but it’s not… ‘cause it’s not graded.”
“Science was not my best subject. I didn’t really like it as much, so when I first heard about FirstHand and how it was fun from other students, I was like, ‘Oh wow, maybe my thoughts will change about science,’ and when I got here, it was the best! It was very fun. It was hands-on. We don’t really do that at school, so that really changed my perspective.”
“Like you could be creative and like, use my artistic skills. And actually like, have it have value, you know what I mean? Like, yeah, your creativity can bring something like this. This could actually be an actual product, if we knew, like, all the information and stuff.
Students discovered that science offers many career paths and can make a real difference in communities and the world.
“I always thought it was like 5 or 4 jobs in science, but when I met the mentors, I learned that it was way more to science and the science jobs, which makes me realize like I don’t have to be a scientist working in a lab, I can be any type of scientist I want.”
“I learned that they can actually help save people’s lives. Like, you know, they’re not a doctor or surgeon or anything like that, they can actually help save people’s lives, that… they could help, like a whole community of people.”
“I personally do now think that science is much more of a bigger thing for the world and for me personally, because something just as little as bioplastic, being able to help the world in just a little bit is actually a pretty huge part of making the world a better place.”
Students felt inspired to keep learning science and saw themselves using their experiences in future careers or sharing their knowledge with others.
“When I learn something new here, it makes me feel like, that I could take what I learned here and use it later on in life if I ever wanted to do more science… I could take what I learned from here and just use it in my science career.”
“It sparked a fire in me to learn more about science, how to make bioplastic and fuse plastic … I could grow up and be a teacher and teach kids what I learn[ed] back in the Science Center and they will learn it just how I did it.”
What do facilitators say?
This program ignites sparks that probably have yet to be ignited in some of our students… I think here we push for discomfort. ‘Why can’t you do this? … What are you struggling with? This project is your project…’ Pushing for their authenticity and for them also to complete it. Some of the reflections at the end of the courses are ‘I can’t believe I did that or I can’t believe I made that. Just showing them what they have the capacity and potential to do.”
What do parents say?
Students often shared their excitement about FirstHand at home and were eager to keep attending.
“From last year to this year, that’s all she talks about. That’s one of the few bright spots that she looks forward to every Thursday.”
“She talked about it a lot. And to be honest, [student name] doesn’t smile like that at home. I’ve never seen her smile so much. I’m like, ‘Wow, she’s like, totally different when she’s here because she seems 100% happy here. ’ She could be herself versus school, or her neighborhood. So this brings out the best in her.”
Students changed noticeably in how they engage with science and school.
“I could tell that she was interested because [student name] would come home and talk about it. She would give me warnings about things that were messing up the environment…even things she’s been doing at home, she’s been more creative, coming up with different ideas for things…She’s making bracelets or something out of, like bottle caps, with like the little tabs that come off of cans.”
“I saw it from her schoolwork from last year to this year, she really did improve a lot. We will be signing up for the summertime.”
What do schools say?
“FirstHand is a window to the world for my students. The program provides exposure to something beyond their norm, encouraging the children to wonder about what could be.”
“[FirstHand] provided a new teacher with supplemental supports to teaching and engagement within the grade. It was a way to push the academic limits through a new and creative tool.”
“The opportunity for students to learn in a new atmosphere and step away from the traditional methods excited the students and helped to create a better culture among the grade.”
What do mentors say?
“Working with students, or anybody with a fresh perspective, is always eye-opening. Something that might seem monotonous to me now, after years of working with it, might be incredible to a student. Their excitement and interest can often ignite that spark back in the mentors. The students also ask extremely thoughtful and provocative questions which provide an amazing new perspective for the mentors to consider.”
“It helps bring the excitement back to the science that we do.”
“Speaking from personal experience, it has helped me improve my science communication skills. The students’ enthusiasm reminds me how exciting and engaging learning about science can be.”
What do industry leaders say?
“This is home. This is our neighborhood and community, and it’s one way to engage with our own community.”
“It’s good for business to show other people that you’re working with that there’s a human side to your company as well.”
“Those are the things that make great employees. If they come in with strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a sense of responsibility, we can train them to do anything.”
