It’s All Happening in Science Lab

Science Lab has been a staple of the Dana Hall Science Department since 2012. Ironically, that is the same year that I began teaching at Dana Hall. Science Lab was a new concept for me as other schools did not offer it at that time. Math Lab and Writing Lab had already been a common occurrence at a variety of schools for extra help, including Dana Hall, so it made sense to incorporate a system of additional help for students in science. 

Science Lab is run in the morning before school from 7:20 – 7:55 a.m. and during lunch from 12:35 – 1:10 p.m. These sessions are staffed by each of the Upper School science teachers. This allows students to get additional explanations and viewpoints on topics from teachers other than their own. We encourage students to attend Science Lab to review material or when they have questions on notes or assignments. Science Lab has given students more opportunities to receive help in addition to the daily Conference Period. Conference Period can often be quite full of students, so it can be easier to receive one on one help during a Science Lab.

Each year several students will make Science Lab part of their routine. They bring specific questions that they have, study for tests and quizzes, and sometimes simply sit and listen to what other students are asking about. We have an informal setting and students can drop in for one question or stay for the entire time. Because Science Lab is not subject specific, we get a mix of students from all age groups. The students are often willing and eager to help those in a class that they have already completed. I have seen this peer tutoring across grades lead to close friendships. The students also listen to conversations about classes that they have not yet taken, which increases their interest in their future science classes at Dana Hall. One thing that I love about Science Lab is that it gives me the opportunity to know students that I normally do not interact with. 

We want the students to feel that they can come to ask any member of the Science Department a question at any time. Science Lab allows us to set specific time aside for the students when we know they are not scheduled for a class.