Science Club Alumna Gives Back

 

Tanicia Burns, Science Club Program Coordinator, interviewed Sandra Ansong, MSN, RN about her experiences as a Science Club member and how Science Club impacted her current career. 

What was your favorite memory of Science Club? 

I was first introduced to the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club through my elementary school at the age of 11. I remember being called to my teacher’s desk a few days after school started in 7^th grade. For a second, I thought I was in trouble. My teacher informed me that I obtained an invitation to a new program at the Boys & Girls Club called Science Club. I vividly remember feeling like a V.I.P as I walked through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club. Dr. Mike Kennedy welcomed me with a huge smile and directed me to my assigned group. Each group consisted of 6-8 middle school students and a scientist mentor from Northwestern University. We did a lot of projects in Science Club. From freezing fruits and balloons with liquid nitrogen and getting tremendous help with my school science project. My favorite project was the C.S.I curriculum. We learned the different blood types, blood testing, and which blood types work well together. I recall receiving news about my grandfather’s passing back in Ghana. One of the reasons for his death was the wrong blood type that was used for his blood transfusion. This really hit home and made me aware of how important blood tests and blood types were. This specific curriculum was an eye-opener for me and confirmed my interest in the medical field.

 

In what ways has Science Club helped you in high school, college, and graduate school? 

After years of being in the program, a new program was launched a year after being a youth mentor by the name of Medical Club. A fair was held where Registered Nurses, Doctors, and EMTs were present. This is when I found my future career as a Registered Nurse. This fair helped me determine my career path and I got on the road to success. Science Club steered me in the right direction, and I am more than honored to be a part of the first group of members to join Science Club. I am glad to be a part of something great that refined my career path through many curriculums. Through the curriculums, the medical program and the medical fair, SC helped me determine my career. I went to high school knowing exactly what I wanted to major in for college. This made applying to college a smooth process. College was a smooth transition for me because I knew my major ahead of time which made picking classes much easier since I knew what the requirements were for my major. I received my Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Sciences with an emphasis on Rehabilitation Services. I am a recent graduate of UIC with a master’s in nursing. I am now a registered nurse at Advocate Aurora South Suburban Hospital working in the telemetry unit. Being a part of Science Club has contributed to my continued success.

 

Why are programs like Science Club needed in our communities?

Programs like Science Club are needed in our communities to help members explore and express themselves through science and learning. There are many ventures of science, and it is possible to find an interest in many spectrums of science. Many times, the school curriculums are a bit too structured which makes it hard to spark that interest in youth. Science Club has a structure, but it is designed in a way that gives you the freedom to express yourself through experiments, critical thinking, and conversations with other youth and scientists. For example, in Science Club youth are given an opportunity to work through their thinking and interests, as well as being provided the tools, materials, and resources to complete their project. The beauty of it all is that youth can strengthen their understanding and learning of tricky concepts but also gain confidence in themselves.

 

You could’ve applied to any job while working on your nursing degree in grad school, what originally interested you in working with Science Club?

Science Club has done so much for me that it was imperative that I give back what I was given. Science Club laid the foundation for my career, and I am forever grateful for the mentors who taught me everything I know. I wanted to give back as a “thank you” and help the next members lay the foundation for their future careers. I wanted to work with SC because I wanted to enable club members to have the same opportunity that I had as a club member in SC and empower them to transform their communities in the future. I wanted to be the role model that I needed during my time as a SC member because it built hope for me. I went into Science Club not knowing what I would get out of it. I thought it was just another program to keep us put until our parents came to pick us up. Little did I know that it would inspire me and spark my future interest and career.

 

What keeps you coming back to Science Club?

I had an amazing opportunity to give back to the Boys & Girls Club members by becoming the Science Club youth liaison. I had the time of my life working at the Club and helping the younger ones. I enjoyed connecting with the youth at the club. It is a joy to witness everyone with excitement as they walk through the doors each week. This excitement was a constant reminder of the fun times I had in Science Club.

 

Another reason I continue my involvement with the program is to give back to the community that supported me as a kid. I had the opportunity to be the guest presenter during the Medical Mystery curriculum. I give back so that youth can have a better future and see that it is possible to achieve their goals. These experiences give me a fantastic opportunity to serve others. Being able to provide for others does not only give me a chance to be an active member of society but it also helps me spread happiness and togetherness throughout the world. Coming back to Science Club has been rewarding not only because of the service provided but because I see the smile on the faces of the members when they walk in and perform cool projects that are prepared for them. They walk in thinking it is just another program, but they leave feeling like special scientists in the building, which they truly are.

 

What message do you have for current Science Club members?

Ask questions if you are unsure about something or if you simply have an interest in it. Use your resources (Mentors, Tanicia) If you do not give things a chance in life then you will not know the outcome of it, so give things a chance. You are never alone in this space, there is always someone here to support you!!