Dr. Tyson Concludes Visit with Science Literacy Lecture
Friends Seminary invited Dr. Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, host of the PBS’ NOVA scienceNOW, former science advisor to President George W. Bush, and author of numerous books on physics to be this year’s guest in its annual Visiting Scholar Program, which in turn has become a highlight of the School’s 225th anniversary celebration. The program is made possible by an anonymous donor to augment the School’s curriculum by exposing students to scholars and artists who would not normally be accessible to pre-collegiate students.
“Research has shown that when you do something different from the daily routine of classes, like go on a field trip or attend special activities, people remember those days long into adulthood,” he said. “I remember visiting a fire station in the third grade. I remember visiting the Bronx Zoo. I remember visiting the Hayden Planetarium. I don’t always remember the name of the teachers who brought me, but I remember those visits. The breaking of routine creates moments of memory for you as a student that last long into adulthood and for the rest of your life.”
During his residency, Dr. Tyson spent four school days at Friends Seminary from October 28 to November 2. Tyson delivered classroom lectures, held question-and-answer sessions, joined students for lunch, spoke privately with the science faculty, and delivered a two-hour public address on the importance of improving science literacy in the United States.
Senior Christol Patterson, a senior at Friends, said she learned a lot from what he said during a student lecture session last week. “Even if you aren’t predisposed to science, it’s so easy to listen to and to digest what he’s saying, because he brings it up in such a fun way. He provides an incredible view of how to see the world and where you fit in its spectrum.”
“I thought he was phenomenal,” Principal Robert Lauder said following Monday’s lecture that was slated to last an hour, but went for two. After the first hour, Dr. Tyson asked the crowd of 300 if he could continue, and the audience cheered with affirmation. “There are not many people of his stature who will give double the time they promised just because they’re so passionate about their subject and so willing to connect with kids. He must have the opportunity to say these things 200 times a year, but he sounds like he just discovered the universe yesterday.”
Hassan Wilson, chairman of Friends’ science department, said Dr. Tyson’s residency was an invaluable experience for students. “They can see this is someone who dedicates his life to science,” he said. “They see that science is not just some subject you spend 45 minutes learning every day, because here’s this guy who’s thinking about these questions every day of his life.”
Upper School biology teacher Kerry Kline said Dr. Tyson has stirred excitement in her classroom. “Dr. Tyson talked to them about not giving up on something just because it’s difficult. He said that because it’s difficult you should want to do it. His idea is that it shouldn’t be the grades that motivate you, it should be pushing yourself and finding interests.”
That, says Lauder, is a good portion of why the Visiting Scholars program was created. “Dr. Tyson is such a people person, and is such an extravert, and he takes such energy from being around the students that they take to him really well in return,” Lauder says. “He’s created a lot of buzz around the School, and that’s really part of the point.”
