When asked how she would describe Akron Fossils & Science Center (AFSC) to someone who had never been here before, Chloe Freeman had one word, “Amazing.” A student in the Simply Science program for 3 years now, Chloe is more excited about science than ever before.
Simply Science, for those who don’t know, is Akron Fossils & Science Center’s program offering K-12 science courses for home educated students. Classes explore a wide variety of science fields, covering everything from Anatomy to Botany to Crime Scene Investigation.
At 13, Chloe already has her sights set on a future in science. With the goal of becoming a Marine Biologist, she has started looking for colleges that specialize in this area of study. Her interest in the subject grew while taking Marine Biology at AFSC last year. Not only did Chloe complete her science fair project on bioluminescence, her mother, Karen, shared that Chloe insisted the family visit the local marine biology center during the family’s vacation.
Watching Chloe talk about the classes and work excitedly with her friends in class, it’s clear that AFSC is more than just a place she is required to go in order to complete her science credit. In fact, she doesn’t have to come at all. This year, Chloe is enrolled in online science courses, but she still chose to participate in Simply Science, just because she enjoys it.
“The classes are amazing, the teachers are amazing. It’s just so much easier to learn here because it’s fun. Miss. Jodie and the activities make it easy to understand, more than just reading it out of a book. If it were possible, I wish I could take all my classes here.”
Chloe first came to AFSC after her mother learned about Simply Science through a friend. Karen had always homeschooled Chloe, but, because science wasn’t a favorite or strong subject of her own, she thought Simply Science would be a good way to give her daughter a richer, more in-depth science education than she could get at home.
One facet of Simply Science that both Karen and Chloe highlighted was the Annual
Science Fair 2016
Science Fair. Having watched her older children participate in science fairs through public schools, Karen recalls being left to figure out much of the science fair process alone. Conversely, Jodie spent the time with Chloe and the other students to walk them through the process, from discussing the purpose of a science fair, to teaching them how to do good research, all the way to how to professionally present a project.
Last year, Chloe’s science fair project was on, no surprise here, Marine Biology, studying bioluminescence in different types of light. This year, Chloe decided to do a project with several friends in her Botany class. Together they are researching the effect of different light and fertilizer on tomato growth.
While the science fair was Chloe’s absolute favorite project she’s worked on so far, it was by no means the only one she enjoyed. When asked what project or experiment she’s liked most, she replied “Just one?” Also in the running were the class’s hydroponics project and a video the students got to make for class.
Outside of studying ocean life, Chloe loves to read. When asked what she enjoys reading, Chloe replied, “Books on marine biology, books on space, and I’m reading a book on Mars and growing food there. “ She also added in a love for other books within the Sci-Fi genre.
Chloe’s passion for science and learning is contagious, as is her energetic and friendly personality. Thank you to the Freeman family for sharing your story!
Check back here next month to meet our next Feature Family: The Hendersons!
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