WEIRD SCIENCE, COOL LESSONS TEACHER PUTS SUBJECT WITHIN STUDENTS' GRASPS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - She can turn baking soda into spewing lava, or make dissecting a squishy sheep's eyeball as exciting as a career in crime-scene investigation.

Wherever there's smoke or chemicals turning into a rainbow of colors amid a circle of wide-eyed children and teens, chances are you'll find Vicki White, also known as the Science Lady.

``She's incredible,'' said Rosedell Elementary School parent Shannon Ross, who coordinates after-school programs. ``She's amazing at keeping the kids interested. I love working with her because she's really together and very enthusiastic with what she does and she brings that enthusiasm to the kids.''

Part Mary Poppins, part Mr. Wizard, the Science Lady has made the rounds to just about every classroom, community center, and home school in the Santa Clarita Valley since 2000.

Her philosophy is simple: She takes the science out of science.

Biology is called grossology.

``If you call it biology, who's going to pay attention?'' she said.

Astronomy classes are known as ``Spaced Out!'' and Geology: ``Rock On!''

``Everything I do is visual and hands-on,'' White said in a recent interview. ``I think that's what makes science more enjoyable. When I was little and we took biology classes, we had to find the aorta, or the vein, but we weren't shown it for real.''

Indeed, White, a 44-year-old Saugus resident who was introduced to science after the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, has been able to use her own curiosity in everything around her as part of her teachings.

``Everything around us is science,'' she said. ``The kids are seeing things differently through me. My mind is always thinking.''

Born and raised in Encino, White earned degrees in child development and recreation from California State University, Northridge.

Through seminars and exposure to a Utah-based company that makes learning science fun, White said she found her niche.

Teaching science has taught her how boys and girls think differently, she said.

``I think because I'm visual and hands-on, the girls always look at it like, we can do fun projects,'' she said. ``Boys will stab and prod, while the girls will study everything. When I'm doing physics, boys will say, Ooh, are we going to blow it up?, and the girls ask, What color will we make it into?''

After-school programs that feature White are often filled. And there are waiting lists, Ross said.

``I did evaluations and my kids love school again,'' Ross said. ``They can't wait until Fridays.''

It's the way she teaches, Ross said. For example, a dead squid turned upside down looks like a palm tree. Some bugs look like candy.

As for her name, White doesn't mind that she's called the Science Lady.

She'll hear it in the strangest places, she said.

``Kids especially forget names,'' she said. ``Sometimes, I'll be at the store, and I'll hear, 'Hey! There's the Science Lady.' I don't mind.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Vicki White, better known around town as the Science Lady, has a style of teaching that makes science fun for kids.

(2 -- color) Vicki White uses inflatables and a young helper to demonstrate the properties of air in a recent lesson at the Santa Clarita Community Center.

(3) A young volunteer holds a light tube for Vicki White as she stages a science demonstration for kids.

(4) Kids' eyes are glued to the Science Lady at the Santa Clarita Community Center as she uses fun techniques and demonstrations to explain principles of science.

David Crane/Staff Photographer