Charles County’s newest scientists are hard at work at William A. Diggs Elementary School.
In a program founded by Zena Brantuo, a senior at North Point High School student, third graders can stay after school to learn with hands-on STEM experiments.
Brantuo received a $500 grant in 2023 after participating in a challenge that promoted young learning, and she decided to use those funds to establish the program “STEM Adventures.”
“When I initially founded the program, it was a solo endeavor, but I realized that there was no way I could manage all the activities alone,” Brantuo said. “I connected with my friends to see if they would be interested in joining me, and fortunately, they share my passion for STEM, a commitment to community service and a desire to interact with local youth.”
Her friends immediately and enthusiastically agreed to help her, Brantuo said.
She received inspiration from her time in Prince George’s County public schools where university students would come and mentor students in different fields. In the fifth grade, Brantuo transferred to William A. Diggs Elementary School and now she and her friends are giving back.
“I think it’s very impressive they reached out to us,” Michael Johnson, a science teacher at Diggs Elementary School who helps oversee the activities, said. “Three of them were Diggs students, now coming back to help out.”
Students have gotten to participate in experiments where they create slime, see chemical reactions in practice with “elephant toothpaste” and have even done robotics activities.
“Being able to offer these third grade students a STEM experience means everything to me. Seeing their curiosity and passion for learning ignited has been amazing as they have immersed themselves in a wide array of STEM activities,” Brantuo said. “I am so glad that they have the opportunity to explore the STEM field since these students are tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, mathematicians.”
At their March 20 gathering, Brantuo, along with her friends Dani Davis, Kaelyn Stewart, Ryleigh Washington and Charlene Drennen, all helped instruct third graders with what was a messy, but fun, experiment where the group showed how to extract DNA from a strawberry.
Before the experiment began, the group took turns explaining the actual science behind what they were doing. Through their explanations, students had a new understanding of DNA as the building block of life.
The students then got to work, mashing strawberries and mixing it with dish detergent, water and salt before putting it through a coffee filter. After filtering, they used rubbing alcohol to make the separation of their solution and the DNA within.
Every student in the lab had a smile across their face when they started pulling the long strands of DNA away from their strawberry solution.
“With an early interest, I hope they remain inspired to pursue careers in the STEM field,” Brantuo said.