Chaminade's “I am a Scientist” program previewed locally last week

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Dr. Jolene Cogbill, PHD, Professor of the School of National Science and Mathematics at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii was in the territory last week to introduce their program, "I am a Scientist."

Dr. Cogbill explained to Samoa News the details of her department’s strategic outreach program called "I am a Scientist."

Of interest, the interview was hosted at the LBJ Hospital, highlighting  management’s interest in starting to engage the community and education at every level of education.

As noted by Dr.Cogbill, the program is the “one we've been doing in Hawaii for over a decade,” and “the goal of ‘I'm a Scientist’ is to try to get young students engaged in Science, and recognize that it is fun, interesting and try to get them early on so they hopefully progressively pursue a career, whether its Medicine, or Environmental Science, or Forensic Science.”

She said the director of the program started this because her children at the time were very young, they'd come home and would complain that Science was boring. 

"Their mom, who was the Director … does Science, working in research labs.”

So they would come with her — they've seen the University Science Dept., in the labs and all the cool things their mom does.

 Dr. Cogbill speaks about her experience with her own older children, they also used to go with her to the lab, and got to experience the use of the microscope and other tools.

"It's interesting to know that it's not what they learn in school but it's what they do in school, as they still remember their time when I took them to the lab."

So this program is trying to take that type of experience to all schools, public and private and give it to the children in their school environment.

"That's the goal, we've been doing that in Hawaii for over a decade.

Dr Cogbill tried it out in two schools last week, and saw about 66 students.

Pacific Horizon students are seen working to solve the forensic case set up during the lab. [courtesy photo]

"We took a forensic Science lesson into the classroom.

We had the students solve a mock crime of the Principal’s Office being broken into.

"We did it with 5th Graders, 11th graders, 9th and 10 graders, about the same module that we can do in any level of education.

South Pacific Academy students are seen working to solve the forensic case set up during the lab. [courtesy photo]

"The crime scene was at the Principal’s Office and something important was stolen, and teachers were the suspects.

"We had their teachers' pictures, on the sheet for them, [to identify] which one the teachers did the crime.

"It was relevant to their school, as we had fingerprint analysis, fiber analysis, and analysis of fiber that comes from your food.

They then had to take all the data, and based on data determine which one of the teachers did the crime.

It was a lot of fun, said Dr. Cogbill.

"I brought everything, tools with me,” like powder for finger prints.

 The plan for the pilot program is to have a 2-week summer program at the end of July and they’re hoping to serve all levels.

Dr. Cogbill said she will be bringing 3 to 4 colleagues with her, to help out,

They would also like to look at Samoana High School, if they are interested in being trained as mentors for the little ones.

The goal is to start at an early age in order to encourage students to pursue Science and a career in the hospital.

This is an initiative of health care providers, from all levels.

"If DOE likes it we would like to continue it [the I am a Scientist program] in American Samoa, come back here to train, and see who would run it here locally.”

Pacific Horizon and South Pacific Academy were the schools they reached out to on their initial outreach last week.

"We've made it to two schools, for one mentor, 10 students, and so we learn what we can so we can plan for the summer. 

"For the summer program, we could be hitting up to 100 or more children, anyone that wants to join."

"We want the teachers to come and watch, it’s an idea, and also the parents are welcome as well.

"I am a Scientist, we want them to own it.

“It's offered free in Hawaii, and the same here.”

The next trip would be around March to brainstorm and get a comprehensive picture.