Categorized | Education

Waimea Country School Science Fair Open House (Nov. 3)

Guest Scientist Karun Thanjavur, resident astronomer at Canada France Hawaii Telescope, confers with Waimea Country School student Isabella Kilgore about her science fair project. (Photo courtesy of Waimea Country School)

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This Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m.-noon, the community is invited to an open house to explore Waimea Country School students’ science fair projects.

In the kindergarten room, each of your five senses will be put on alert as you sniff, taste, hear, see, and touch your way around the room.

In first grade you will discover why matter matters with hands-on stations to learn about the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gasses. There is even a station that showcases a substance that can exist in each of those states.

In the multiage second and third grade class, teams of two present scientific explanations for why pirates wear eye patches, how insects respond to music, how sound travels under water, and just how many colors combine to create black ink.

Teacher Hayley Blondin said, “The excitement for science fair around the school is palpable. The attitude toward science at Waimea Country School is completely different from what I experienced when I was in elementary school. My students cheer when I announce it is time for science and shake with glee at the mention of the science fair as if it were the best birthday party ever. I asked the students to sketch a picture of a scientist in their notebooks yesterday and I was delighted to see that many students had drawn themselves.”

In the multiage fourth, fifth and sixth grade class, students work individually on their projects that cover a range of topics. Visitors will be able to inspect projects about crystals, flotation, electricity, gravity, comets, reaction time, pruning plants, and the essential science fair classic — a baking soda volcano.

Hillary Connors said, “I think the science fair is cool because I am learning new things that I would never think of asking.”

Nina Gonzales and Ethan Levine appreciate the fact that community scientists come to the school to listen to student presentations, review their poster boards, and give them helpful feedback. Gonzales said, “I think it is great that scientists get to come see our projects because we all get inspired.”

Fourth grader Mia Horton is looking forward to having community visitors at the school, “I think people should come so they can learn about what we have learned.”

Cameron Stuart said, “I cannot wait until science fair, because I want to show what my project is all about.”

First grade teacher Marcie Neubecker also got a cheer of excitement when she announced the upcoming science fair to her class.

Neubecker said, “Our student scientists ask questions, make predictions, observe and collect data using simple tools and techniques, and discuss their results. Having a hands-on approach is important when teaching science because it requires students to become active participants in their learning. Our students are learning by doing.”

Founded in 1996, Waimea Country School’s mission is “to provide an outstanding K-6 child-centered, multiage and multicultural learning experience which incorporates the core values of inclusion and respect.”

The members of the Board of Trustees are Felicity Johnson, Nancy Perry, Kelly Barrick, Randy Campbell, Lisa McCarthy, Desiree Watson and Scott March.

For more information about Waimea Country School, call 885-0067 visit: www.waimeacountryschool.org

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