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When schools shifted to fully remote instruction in March 2020, educators started coming up with creative ways to engage kids in my local neighborhood. My neighbor asked me if I'd be willing to put a rainbow in one of my front windows, as the local elementary school was asking younger kids to look for rainbows during neighborhood walks, and for older kids to create a map of where they saw the rainbows. I jumped in and layered some colorful construction paper in one of the front windows for kids to find.
But then I was thinking... if I have kids and parents looking at my house to find a rainbow in a window, what about having something else for them to look at - like some science information? As we're both science faculty in our house (both trained in oceanography - one specializing in geology, one in chemistry), we came up with a way to engage in science communication without socially interacting with individuals.
The first door
The first door
Around March 23, 2020, I created the first collection of "Fun Science Facts" on the front door of my house. After purchasing some shiny block letters, I created a sign to grab the attention of those that walked by. My plan was to select a different theme each week and post a few pieces of information relating to that theme.
My first Science Door focused on earthquakes and had three facts relating to earthquake history in Pennsylvania. I wrote the facts by hand and made sure the letters were large enough for people to read without having to come right up to the door.
I continued on through the spring and into the summer with a different theme each week (some of the topics suggested by kids in the neighborhood):
Earthquakes, Dinosaurs, The Ocean, Trees, Earth Day, Volcanoes, Science of Sports, Snakes, Bees, Butterflies, Hurricanes, Sharks, Sea Turtles, Hydrography, Sea Monsters
I quickly shifted to printing off the science facts. We don't have the best quality home printer, but I was able to include more information, and it was much neater to read than my printing!
It was wonderful to see (through my window) how many people would come up and read the door, from individuals of all ages to families with young children. One person from a few streets over said she was bringing her kids each week, having each one read a different fact, and then asked them which was their favorite fact and why. One neighbor told me my front door was a substitute for the science fieldtrips that their school had to cancel that year - who knew my front door could be considered a fieldtrip!
National Ocean Month
National Ocean Month
Made a special theme for the door during the month of June, known as National Ocean Month and the month with World Ocean Day (June 8), World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), World Hydrography Day (June 21). In addition, hurricane season for the North Atlantic Ocean kicked off on June 1. All of these topics were a part of the June weekly science facts collection.
Final door - Quiz!
Final door - Quiz!
My last Science Door was in mid-July, as I had just started teaching a summer science course and I needed to focus my attention on my class and students online. But, with my educator hat on, I wrapped up the Science Door learning with a quiz, seeing how much individuals could recall after reading the door week after week. I posted the answers the following week.
I thought I had wrapped up the summer, but then, one more topic came up that I couldn't resist adding to the door...
Seattle Kraken
Seattle Kraken
I put up a special door, once I heard the NHL announce the name of their newest expansion team for the city of Seattle - the Kraken! And I had a very nice conversation with a FedEx delivery driver through my door about "kraken" and hockey!
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