Bloomsburg University is excited to be a part of the Science In Motion Program; a grant collaboration across multiple private and public Pennsylvania Universities, funded by the PA Department of Education.
A cross-collaboration between BU’s College of Science and Technology, the College of Education, and Regional STEM Education; Science in Motion (SIM) serves our regional middle and high schools by offering the very best resources for STEM instruction, including access to advanced science experiments, equipment, and instruction for enhanced STEM learning – all at no cost to the schools.
Bloomsburg University Science in Motion provides:
Science Equipment and prepared laboratory kits: providing access to equipment generally unavailable to middle and high school classrooms on tight budgets.
Teaching support through a mobile educator (traveling teacher) and staff preparation center: Instruction and assistance in use of equipment and supplies needed to give hands-on experiences.
Professional development for science teachers provided by mobile educators and college network: Staff and faculty from the university are available to help train teachers in best-practices for laboratory experiences for their students, in addition to providing STEM career advice for students.
Pennsylvania's SIM program was founded at Juniata College in 1987. There are currently 10 college and universities in Pennsylvania in the program serving over 200 schools. Bloomsburg University’s SIM provides services to schools in the Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, and Union counties.
With tight school budgets, many schools are unable to find funding to provide expensive science equipment that will enable their students to engage in STEM activities that will prepare them for college. SIM provides up-to-date lab equipment and mobile educators at no cost to school districts.
SIM provides school districts with well-maintained modern scientific equipment and supplies costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Funding allows us to update this equipment regularly so that teachers know they have access to the most up-to-date technology. SIM can work to meet the individual needs of partner schools and can expand offerings to address curricular changes and growing classroom needs.
Training to keep teachers up-to-date on advances in science and technology along with access to relevant standards-aligned activities is on every schools "wish list." SIM provides assistance with this through the Mobile Educator who can provide assistance on SIM Labs in biology, chemistry, or physics. All labs include prepared laboratory kits and equipment and are PDE standards-aligned.
Beyond the expense of purchasing scientific equipment if the cost of maintaining it … especially when it may only be used for one topic during the academic year. SIM addresses this issue by providing a shared resource that is available upon request. The Mobile Educator and staff replace all consumable supplies and refurbish all equipment and kits after each use to ensure they are ready-to-go for the next classroom.
Through professional development workshops, teachers in partner schools will learn the latest developments in STEM through lesson and lab development sessions and learning to use new equipment.
BU’s SIM serves educators teaching middle and high school grades in both public and private schools. Our equipment and labs can be used in all types of classroom settings. (Ex: Gifted, AG, Math, Special Education, etc.)
How can you utilize SIM in your classroom?
Requests for both Mobile Educator visits and Eqiupment/Kit requests can be made through our Reservation form. Please provide as much information as possible so we can do our best to provide you the right lab, when you need it. Specific questions about lab requests can be sent to us via email. For a full list of our lab and equipment offers check out our current Offerings List.
Be in a partner school district middle or secondary school (grades 7-12) within Bloomsburg University region
Submit an accurate and complete reservation form at least two weeks before a requested SIM Mobile Educator’s visit
Our mobile educator will be in contact to confirm your reservation and discuss any logistics.
Submit an accurate and complete reservation form at least two weeks before a requested SIM lab drop off
Be comfortable with the experiments and equipment being requested. The SIM mobile educator will provide relevant operating instructions and lab protocols specific to the lab or equipment requested.
Our mobile educator will be in contact to confirm your reservation and discuss any logistics for dropping off materials.
Unpackage materials once they arrive and ensure you have everything you need!
Contact SIM immediately if you have a problem for materials or equipment, we want to ensure your classes success!
Repackage equipment in its original containers and return equipment in the same condition as when it was loaned. The mobile educator will coordinate with you equipment pick up.
At Bloomsburg University, we believe opportunity belongs to those who are ready to work for it and unafraid to do something great with it. Here, our onward is upward. Join us.
