As importantly, says Henke, the projects gave her Albion College students valuable experience in creative solutions for concrete problems they may face in their future classrooms.  The college students, she notes, didn't simply build some interesting science displays.  Rather the college students combined their research into Albion Public Schools' curriculum and test scores with their own research into science pedagogy and child development.

A four-part table helps students compare and contrast differences in Michigan habitats.

The result:  a roomful of kids who were "totally engaged, using their whole bodies to learn about science," says Henke.  The students' projects were supported by a Michigan Campus Compact Venture Grant awarded to Henke, "Teaching Science Through Community Collaboration."  Through the grant, Henke was able to guide her college students' study within a partnership between the class, Kids 'N' Stuff, the Battle Creek Math and Science Center; and all the second grade classes in Albion Public Schools.

"The college students did an excellent job of preparing engaging, hands-on activities that were very relevant to our curriculum," says teacher Letitia Watson Kotas, '98.  "The second graders really enjoyed their time."