This program is a partnership between OSU and Innis Elementary School. Through the Scientific Thinkers program, undergraduate and graduate students from OSU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) departments work with the first through 5th grade science and mathematics teachers at Innis Elementary school to develop and teach inquiry-based science lessons to first through fifth grade students. Everyone involved benefits from participating in this program.

The goal of the program
This program encourages first though fifth grade students to always be curious and ask questions about the world around them. They gain confidence in themselves and their scientific abilities through interactions with scientists and exciting hands-on science experiments.

The Innis teachers are given resources, in the form of ideas and supplies, that help them continue to integrate hands-on science into the classroom.

The undergraduate and graduate student volunteers  gain unique practice at communicating scientific information to those outside the field. They also have an opportunity to reach out to the Columbus community and motivate the next generation of scientific thinkers!