THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAOS TO INTEGRATE COLLEGIATE EDUCATION WITH THE COMMUNITY

After a three year, $32 million dollar renovation to Cooper Science Hall, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania was faced with the challenge of rebuilding the beloved planetarium program and creating a brand new natural history museum. The creation of a student organization called Cooper Hall’s Ambassadors of Science (CHAOS) was implemented to increase student and community involvement while promoting science and the value of education through the new and remodeled educational facilities within Cooper Hall. Membership is open to any student of Edinboro University that meets the academic requirements and successfully completes the petition for membership; the members then go through a training process to be fully prepared for events such as school field trips, public shows, and special events. The organization allows Edinboro University students to share their knowledge of science with visitors young and old while improving their presentation skills and acquiring service hours conveniently on campus. Though faced with several trials, the organization has received support from the administration and the community and the student organization is rapidly growing in members and potential. Our hope is to continually promote natural science and to increase scientific curiosity among all visitors, but especially children, for years to come.