NORWICH – The science curriculum at Holy Family School is a lot more than just book work and tests. It’s about application and experience.
Recently, students in grades five through eight traveled to Hartwick College for a Science Day. Professors and undergraduate students of Hartwick College’s Johnstone Science Center showed Holy Family students fun and informative hands-on demonstrations of everyday objects.
Each department played its own part. The chemistry department helped the kids produce their own slime and play dough using glue and corn starch. The physics department put on several demonstrations including the “can crusher,” a device that crushes soda cans using an electromagnet, and a static electricity generator which students could experience first hand by watching rice fly and lightning jump from one object to another. The geology department treated students to a collection of fossils that are native to New York State including trilobites and dinosaur foot prints. Finally the biology department delivered a strong conservation message by showing students several native New York State amphibians and reptiles that included Snapping Turtles, Painted Turtles, Spotted Salamanders, Eastern Red Spotted Newts and Tiger Salamanders. In addition they displayed creatures from around the world including Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Argentina Horned Frogs, and Japanese Salamanders.
All the while students could ask the experts questions and get informative answers. The program was enjoyed not only by Holy Family students but the Hartwick faculty as well.
Dr. Dudek of the chemistry department said, “We love doing this for the kids and community.” Although this event was for grades five through eight, the third grade class of Holy Family also participated through “Flat Stanley.” His picture was taken next to everything from dinosaur footprints, to red-eared sliders, to spectroscopic equipment. At Holy Family School, science isn’t just a subject, it’s an experience.