Beaker Buddies, a program where U-High students mentor early childhood school students in science experiments, will not run in the 2025-26 school year after the Lab administration did not approve a science department proposal for an extra-service position.
Founded in 2022 by U-High chemistry teacher Zachary Hund and early childhood teacher Michael Eldridge, Beaker Buddies has grown to include 10 first and second grade classes, totaling over 350 students.
Once a month, these young students travel from Earl Shapiro Hall to visit the Historic Campus, joining U-High science classes in activities such as egg sink-or-float experiments, ice cream making and creating slime.
Dr. Hund expressed disappointment over the program’s suspension and said he hopes the program makes a return.
“Beaker Buddies has been my favorite part of working at Lab since I started 10 years ago,” he wrote in an email to the Midway. “The program began when my son was in Michael Eldridge’s class, and once we saw how exciting, engaging and impactful it was, it just kept growing.”
Mr. Eldridge notes how much the younger kids enjoy connecting with high schoolers.
“I love the excitement my students experience when they know we’re coming to Beaker Buddies,” he said. “The science teachers are so thoughtful in their approaches to the experiments for young children and providing age-appropriate but exciting experiments.”
Junior Clara Blucher, an AT Biology student who participates in the program, enjoys sharing science with younger students.
“We can both benefit from what we’re learning,” she said. “I get to practice applying concepts while explaining things to them, and they get to see the world of science.”
First grader Esme Aschebrook also looks forward to creating experiments each month.
“You never know exactly what reaction is going to happen,” she said.
Pointing to purple slime she made in one Beaker Buddies experiment, Esme said, “I’m going to keep this forever!”
Matina Marks • Feb 20, 2025 at 1:41 pm
The Parents Association awards teacher grants every year. Each division of the school is allocated funds. Since this program benefits both ESH and HS students there may be funding from both divisions available.
Anonymous • Feb 20, 2025 at 9:56 am
Honestly – can parents chip in and Fund? Do we need to set up Go Fund Me pages to get the quality education we have committed to?
John Doe • Feb 5, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Administration does not approve this new extra-service Beaker Buddies position that I’m told amounts to about $1,000 a year, but today they announced the creation of a brand new Dean of Student Success position in the high school that will cost around $100,000 a year? Makes sense.
Liz K • Jan 20, 2025 at 6:54 pm
This is so sad. Beaker Buddies is always a highlight for our first grader.
Janet Arbesman • Jan 21, 2025 at 10:47 am
The quality of early childhood education is key to nurturing young scholars in every facet of learning. Science is as important as math and literacy. The foundation of science is the observation snd experimentation of the natural world. I hope patents’ associations, science faculty, students, and the administration reconsider this decision.
Janet Arbesman • Jan 21, 2025 at 10:50 am
The quality of early childhood education is key to nurturing young scholars in every facet of learning. Science is as important as math and literacy. The foundation of science is the observation snd experimentation of the natural world. I hope patents’ associations, science faculty, students, and the administration reconsider this decision.