
The Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS) advances research to address pressing societal challenges by harnessing the power of social and behavioral sciences. CSBS fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, bridging diverse fields to tackle issues such as health disparities, social equity, and technology’s impact on society.
Using cutting-edge social and behavioral science principles, CSBS has partnered with I-Sci Explorers to empower children from diverse backgrounds to connect with and feel confident in multiple STEM areas, building a strong foundation for future learning and achievement.
What is science?

In this module, children will explore a wide range of scientific fields—from chemistry to botany—breaking beyond common stereotypes about science. They’ll learn how the scientific method guides all areas of science and engage in hands-on activities that demonstrate its key principles. By participating in a simple experiment, children will practice making hypotheses and collecting results, helping them experience science in action. This interactive approach highlights the diverse ways science shapes our world while encouraging children to think like scientists.
Creating Surveys

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the concept of surveys as a tool in social and behavioral science. They’ll participate in fun, hands-on activities like answering surveys about candy bars and other topics, tallying results, and creating visual representations such as bar graphs. Interactive activities—like moving to different sides of the room based on their answers—make data collection and analysis engaging and dynamic. The lesson also encourages them to think about how surveys can be used in daily life and how they help us understand people’s preferences and behaviors.
Introduction to Economics

In this lesson, children will explore the basics of economics through hands-on activities. They will learn about money, buying, and selling by using play money to purchase candy with varying prices. The lesson includes a simulation where students experience making choices with money, saving, and evaluating prices. They’ll also compete in groups to run candy shops, deciding how to price their products to deepen their understanding of why lower prices attract more buyers. The lesson helps students grasp the concept of economics, money management, and decision-making.
What is probability?

In this module, children will explore the concept of probability—the likelihood of an event happening—through fun, hands-on activities. They’ll pull colored pom-poms from a jar, flip coins, and roll dice to observe how some outcomes are more likely than others based on the setup. By engaging in interactive games, children will develop an understanding of how probability works and how to predict outcomes. The lesson also includes discussions on why certain results, like rolling a 7 with two dice, are more common, helping children connect probability to real-world scenarios.
Everyone does science!

In this module, children will explore what science is and how it connects to everyday life. Through story time featuring scientists from diverse backgrounds, they’ll discover that science is all about asking questions, exploring ideas, solving problems, and that anyone can be a scientist. Activities like brainstorming ways people use science, matching everyday activities to different areas of science, and dressing up for hands-on exploration encourage kids to see themselves as doing science. They’ll reflect on their own experiences with science and imagine how they can ask questions and investigate the world around them. The lesson emphasizes that doing science is about curiosity, experimentation, and trying new things—something everyone can do.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The session will introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by helping them understand how maps work and how layers of information can be added. Children will explore spatial awareness and geographic skills through a hands-on, collaborative mapping activity. By creating maps of their school environment, they will learn how to visualize and represent different features like trees, roads, and playgrounds using layers. The session will foster curiosity about GIS, encourage teamwork, and lay the groundwork for future STEM learning.
Media Literacy in Persuasion

This lesson will help kids understand how advertisers use persuasion techniques in ads. Children will explore how ads use strategies like bright colors, catchy music, or famous people to attract attention and influence decisions. Through group activities and a checklist, kids will identify these tactics in real ads. They’ll discuss how ads try to make products look desirable and reflect on how this affects their choices. By the end, children will be able to identify media techniques and make smarter decisions when faced with ads.
Green Screen

This past semester, we were thrilled to host Victor Font Bas from the College of Media for a hands-on lesson in green screen technology. Victor began by teaching the kids how green screens work, explaining how filmmakers use this simple but powerful tool to transport actors to incredible settings, from magical castles to outer space. The kids then put their new knowledge into action, stepping into the world of Harry Potter to explore the Great Hall, cast spells, and fly on broomsticks. This special visit was the perfect example of how science, media, and imagination can work together to create unforgettable experiences and holiday memories.