Second-graders (l-r) Devin Moll and Ansley Lagos listen to fourth-grader, Seth Pittsburg, explain his science fair project.
Ethan Lo, a second-grader, ponders the scientific question: How many books can an eggshell hold.
Reamstown Elementary School students put some of their scientific acumen on display at the school's Jan. 17 science fair.
Open to all students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the annual science fair teaches students how to do research, present their findings, and, in upper grades, how to use all steps of the scientific method.
Younger students are encouraged to display collections of artifacts. They must research and post interesting facts about their collection on a tri-fold display board.
For example, a large Barbie doll collection by primary students Makayla DeVault and Madison Heilman included a number of interesting facts, including that Barbie was invented in 1958; that her full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts; that she is from Willows, Wis., and went to Willows High School; that her first pet was a horse named Dancer; and that she has had more than 80 careers.
Other displays of collections ranged from Webkinz to rocks/minerals, seashells and Star Wars action figures. A monkey collection of stuffed animals, by Jacob Fabian, included facts he researched about monkeys, baboons and gorillas.
Fourth-grader Seth Pittsburg described his use of the scientific method for his display.
"I rub the balloon on the wool coat," Seth explained, "to create static electricity."
"My hypothesis," Seth continued, "is that the static electricity from the balloon will attract the soda can tab and create a bell effect.
Younger students, listening to this explanation and watching Seth create the static electricity were silent, wide-eyed, and seemed impressed with his knowledge.
Teachers leading primary grade classes through the science fair explained that when students got older they would use all parts of the scientific method, incorporating research, a hypothesis, experimenting, drawing a conclusion and comparing the conclusion to the original hypothesis.
The chairwoman for the science fair was Stacy Rally who was assisted by other members of the PTO. School staff helping with the event included Beth Haldeman, school principal as well as Diane Arey, Susan White and Jen Stauffer.
