Creative Science
March 19, 2008
By Laura Geggel
Students come up with interesting experiments at fair
Third-grade student Lindsey Showalter tackled a science experiment that not many would consider until they realize its usefulness: which juice cleans pennies best?”The most interesting thing I found was that grape juice made it dirtier,” Showalter said. Apple and lemon juice worked wonders out of a juice bar containing tomato and orange juice. Her poster board showed before and after pictures and was one of 120 entries by Opstad Elementary School students showcasing their research at a PTSA sponsored science fair last Thursday.
Logan Nicholson, also in third grade, explained how vinegar turns bones rubbery by dissolving its calcium. Like the other students, Nicholson met with a volunteering scientist who asked him about his research and its real-world application.
“You could get a huge bone, put it in vinegar and give it to a dog,” Nicholson said.
Would a dog enjoy such a vinegary tasting treat?
“Probably not,” he admitted, peering at the chicken bone he had placed in a jar of vinegar.
Every child received a certificate, and the PTSA awarded 24 super scientist medals. One super scientist, fourth grader Hayden Kajercline, built a model fuel-efficient jet engine out of Styrofoam and metal blades and explained its mechanics. Hayden says his model is of the same engine Boeing will use in the new 787 airplanes.
This is the third annual science fair sponsored by Opstad Elementary’s PTSA. The school recognized teachers with more than 50 percent class participation, including Sharon Piper, Jennifer Engdahl, Sharon Miller and Sandi Bishop.
Snoqualmie Valley’s other elementary schools also have science fairs. Fall City Elementary School and Snoqualmie Elementary School have already had theirs, while Cascade View Elementary School’s is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 28 in the multipurpose room.
One of the volunteer scientists, North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, who isn’t quite a scientist, said the children enthusiastically told him about their projects.
“It seemed to be exciting for them to explain to me what they were doing,” Hearing said. “In two cases, I listened to kids explain their scientific experiments on how fast bread would mold. I had one young fellow who was experimenting with the tongue and which areas tasted salt and bitter (flavors).”
“It was interesting to watch how it encourages kids to be excited about the science fields,” Hearing said. Chemical reactions were everywhere, even at the concession stand. Parent volunteers served lava flows – vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup and Sprite. Former Opstad students now at Mount Si High School demonstrated several hands on science experiments, like how to produce instant snow and how to bend water.
“Interest in science starts at the elementary level,” said Jeanne Acker, co-president of Opstad Elementary School’s PTSA, pointing out that science is becoming more prominent in schools, especially since the elementary school science WASL.
Bonnie Bleha, the grandmother of a fourth grader, said she enjoyed learning about the different experiments.
“It’s a lot more than the reading, writing, arithmetic and recess I got when I was growing up,” Bleha said.
Another experiment tested which detergent works best on stains – the champion being Tide. Another tested which paper airplane flew the farthest – with a record of 25-feet, seven-inches.
“I think he’s perfecting the art of paper airplane flying,” said Wendy Spear, mother of fourth-grader Brandon Spear.
This is the second year fourth-grade teacher Bishop has required her entire class of 22 to participate in the science fair.
“We’ve been working on the scientific process from the beginning of the year,” Bishop said. “We’ve been doing classroom investigations like how high does a ball bounce, which food do crayfish like best and which seeds will sprout the quickest?”
Bishop had her students complete part of the work for class assignments.
“It’s one of the most fun, hands on things we can do to support kids with their love for technology and science,” Bishop said.
Reporter Laura Geggel can be reached at 392-6434 x221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.Comments
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