Imagine a place where pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school science and math teachers can bring their students to engage in programs customized to their needs. A place where hands-on exhibits, interactive demonstrations, STARLAB inflatable planetarium programs, Light and Color experimentation, and a variety of inquiry-based activities bring science and mathematics to life.  One could find all of that and more on the third floor of the Warwood Center at the WLSC Science, Mathematics, and Research Technology Center (SMART-Center). 

Since the first on-site school group arrived in May 1996, the WLSC SMART-Center has directly served over 55,000 students and community members through its programs, outreach and various educational activities.  From the custom-designed school or class field trips correlated to state and national education standards to programs held at local schools such as the Science Enhancement for Middle Schools program, the SMART-Center continues to serve many area schools annually. 

 During the 2003-2004 school year, 55 different schools benefited from WLSC SMART-Center programs.  Several of these schools received more than one program during the course of the academic year.  Teachers and students alike enjoy while learning when hosting these programs.  According to Kellie Cusick, fifth grade teacher at Bellaire Middle School, in Ohio, she wishes the SMART-Center was open to the public so she could bring her family.  “I had so much fun bringing my students to the center for a day of fun activities.  I just know my own children would enjoy the exhibits and interactive programs.  Keep up the wonderful work - I am so glad that I found you,” said Cusick.

As part of their on-going community outreach, the SMART-Center has two STARLAB inflatable planetariums that are used both on-site and at area schools.  This inflatable planetarium allows schools to have on-site mini-planetarium shows that include astronomy-related cylinders, the biological cell, plate tectonics, weather patterns, ocean currents, and a number of other cylinders for use with the STARLAB.  To date, 65 schools or youth programs have leased the STARLAB, with a variety of other schools using the STARLAB as part of a program held at their school or at the SMART-Center. 

In addition to the STARLAB leases, the WLSC SMART-Center provides equipment for loan such as microscopes, electrostatic generators, and a variety of other educational materials.  A recently retired exhibit,  “Stella the Stegosaurus,” a plywood dinosaur model that is approximately 13’ long, 8’ tall, and 3’ wide, is currently “on tour” at area schools as the newest on-loan program. 

The SMART-Center also plays a part in the cultivation of math and sciences among middle and high school students through the creation of a number of competition oriented programs.  The largest program created for middle school students, the annual Science Challenge for area Middle Schools, includes teams participating in science, mathematics, and engineering design challenges involving egg mobiles, air cars, egg savers, and on-site activities.  Additional competitions co-sponsored by the WLSC SMART-Center include the National Engineering Design Challenge and the Regional Science Bowl (additional sponsorship by RESA-6 and the National Energy Technology Center).  The SMART-Center also is involved in Physics Day for local high school students held on the WLSC campus. 

Since its inception the SMART-Center has conducted 24 Summer SMART Institutes for high ability math and science students entering fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.  The Institutes allow participating students to engage in challenging yet fun math, science, and technology activities.  Over three hundred fifty students have participated to date.  “Students have been known to attend the Institute program year after year.  We also have a number of high school students that attended the program return as volunteers,” said Robert Strong, WLSC SMART-Center director.

The WLSC SMART-Center also serves as the center of operations for the W.Va.-Handle On Science Project, and is a partner in this collaborative endeavor in elementary science education involving RESA-6, all five county school systems of the Northern Panhandle, business and industry, and local colleges and universities.  This project features a kit-based, inquiry-centered science curriculum that is the adopted science curriculum for the five northern panhandle counties. Approximately 550 teachers of K-6 grade science and nearly 13,000 students are directly affected. 

In 2004 the W.Va.-Handle On Science Project and the WLSC SMART-Center teamed with the Benedum Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Science Matters program in Washington, Pa. to bring LEGO robotics curriculum to middle and high schools in Northern West Virginia.  This Benedum Foundation funded project totals $171,000.00 and provides up to fifteen LEGO robotics kits per classroom to use along with the Carnegie Mellon robotics curriculum.  This program is a beneficial supplement to existing curriculum in science, mathematics, and technology classrooms.  Three participants from Northern West Virginia are involved in the project this year with five more being added for the next school year. 

Touching the lives of students, teachers and the local community for the past nine years and preparing to reach beyond the stars as they prepare to celebrate their tenth anniversary, Strong anticipates the future.  “I am excited as we look toward the future and expansions of the SMART-Center’s programs and facilities and the effect this will have on the area and future West Liberty students,” said Strong. 

For further information regarding the programs or outreach of the WLSC SMART-Center, please contact Strong at (304) 277-2308 or via e-mail at strongro@ wlsc.edu.