On Friday, April 7, professional scientists and fifth grade scientists from Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School came together for the third annual Science Discovery Night. “This night of science shows the children that they could have a career in science in their future,” said Dana Bateman, a Brunswick parent and professional genetics ethicist who works for Harvard Medical School. Working next to the professionals who have careers in science shows the fifth graders exciting options for their future.

This science night was not the typical science fair. It was not a competition to see who could create the greatest experiment, but an opportunity to showcase what the fifth graders had learned. They spent lots of time in class and at home preparing a poster, demonstration, and hands on activity. One project example was “Mr. Tasty” by Kiersten Dinsmore, Maia Higgins, Bess Pantaz and Marissa Zavitz. The girls researched different types of senses and how they affect your taste buds. Kiersten also learned an important lesson about managing a large project. “You need to make sure you work hard…make sure you are on top of everything because if you are not, it will just get all messy and you’ll have no idea what is going on.” Other projects were about electrical circuits, sound waves, food allergies, the Zika Virus, and lead poisoning. As well as learning about a science topic, the students learned a valuable lesson about working together as a group. Fifth grade teacher Lou Sullivan says that after his students do the science fair, they work better together and they have a greater interest in science and what they are learning about.

The professionals’ topics included global warming, why bugs are healthy to eat, facial mites, genes that can detect certain chemicals, and canine health. These adults have all pursued careers in science because of their desire to know more about the world around them. Dr. Molly Berberich from the Androscoggin Animal Hospital says, “If you learn a lot about science and become scientifically literate, your ability to do all kinds of things in your professional life really opens up a lot. I feel like there are a lot of jobs and careers in science, so if you start off early learning science and kind of getting familiar with science then later on when you’re grown up, it kind of opens up the world to you.” Professional scientists’ booths were scattered among student booths, in hopes of making the students feel as if they could be future scientists.

The founder of this event is Mrs. Maria Palopoli, a very enthusiastic fifth grade science teacher. She loves science and wants students to learn to love it too, so she created Science Night to show that science is really fun and students can turn a passion for science into a future career.

Congratulations to all the fifth grade teachers and especially the fifth grade students at HBS Elementary School who created this fun and educational event!

Elise Gillis and Hannah Wilkoff are sixth graders at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.