Family Science night Fascinates young minds
> Ventana Vista elementary school hosts uA displays <
By Jamar Younger
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
A University of Arizona research institute visited a Foothills area elementary school Friday to promote science through a series of interactive displays.
UA's BIO5 Institute partnered with Ventana Vista Elementary School in the Catalina Foothills School District to host a Family Science Night at the school in an effort to reach out to students, parents and the community in general.
About 200 students and parents had the opportunity to view a real sheep's brain, pet a millipede and learn how to take their own DNA samples.
The school district's Lego Robotics teams performed maneuvers with their robots, and a team from the UA's Physics Factory did demonstrations with spinning bicycle wheels and a chair converted into a hovercraft.
BIO5 is a collaborative research institute that specializes in interdisciplinary research, real-world application of research and educational outreach, said Stacey Forsyth, director of education outreach for BIO5.
"Our mission is to get kids excited about science and help provide teachers with resources to enrich science education in the classroom," Forsyth said.
The institute has partnered with other school districts in the Tucson area, including the Vail School District, and the Tucson and Sunnyside unified school districts, she said.
Ventana Vista librarian Caryl Jones wanted the institute to visit the school after she attended a BIO5 teacher symposium.
Jones coordinated with the school district, while Forsyth invited UA's Insect Discovery program, Chemistry Club and other outreach programs to set up exhibits and demonstrations.
The district invited students from all four elementary schools to attend.
"Science is one of the most motivating and exciting things," Jones said. "I honestly believe those things that make kids feel good and learn can ignite them."
Jones did not want the students to overlook the educational value of the Family Science Night.
"This is not about just having fun," she said. "If they do not walk away getting a new concept or a new idea, that's just not enough."
Some students were enamored with and enlightened by the displays and demonstrations.
Cayden Franklin, 7, was surprised by the size of the parrot's brain he saw at the Brain Zoo exhibit.
"A parrot, for an animal that can talk, has a brain the size of a peanut," said Cayden, a first-grader at Sunrise Drive Elementary School.
He also learned what happens to rubber when it gets cold.
"When rubber gets really cold and you throw it, it breaks because the molecules stop moving," he said.
Alex Melde, 7, enjoyed the robotics and chemistry demonstrations.
"It's cool how she put bubbles on her hand, and put fire on her hand and it didn't burn her," said Alex, a first-grader at Ventana Vista, referring to a chemistry demonstration.
Alex's mother, Kathie Melde, said teaching children about science at an early age can inspire them for the rest of their lives.
"You get them young, you get them hooked and it's lifelong. They love it," she said. "This is all about fun, and kids don't even know that they're learning."
● Contact reporter Jamar Younger at 434-4076 or jyounger @azstarnet.com.
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