Doing it for the kids!

For the past year I have had the honour of making science interesting for local Christchurch children in an after school Science programme.
With a background in performing arts and limited Science knowledge, this job was set to be challenging for me.  I have no worries performing for audiences, but speaking infront of a class of children who probably know more about science than you do - it was really intimidating at first.
But as the classes progressed and I got to know my students, they became less intimidating, and my knowledge of science was growing everyday.
The shift happened for me when I began performing for the kids - and I don't mean by being a false person.  I used the skills from stage performance to bring life to the topics I was teaching - and they started to respond in a super positive way.
Every week I have to learn a new topic to teach them - as I'm not coming from a science background, I have to understand the scientific concept in a way that is interesting to me, and I think this is the key to getting them stoked on what they are learning.
I had to make a decision a few weeks back, and it was with a heavy heart that I chose a new adventure for myself.  Telling my science kids that I was leaving in 4 weeks was heart breaking.  They are the sunshine in my day!
I have 2 more weeks of lessons with them, and I'm starting to see the impact I have had on them.  I'm being showered with gorgeous pictures and words, and it's making the whole process a lot harder for me.
I have taken for granted the beautiful energetic audience that I have on a daily basis for the past year - these smiling souls will only be in my daily life for 12 more working days.  Their smiles will be with me forever, and I hope to catch up with them when I can.
So I end this with some advice for whoever my replacement will be - 'Be true, be yourself and be Interesting!  Keep the fire of their learning alive and appreciate each of these kids for who they are and what they bring to you!'
Good luck :)

My collection of science love from my kids -I'm framing them for my house!

The kids are super supportive of my acting career - this is one of my favourite messages - Thanks Milla!