Barnsley Aims to Make Science Fun for Everyone

“Hands-on” was the name of the game at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School’s Science Night on Thursday.

The event had two aims: It was a traditional science fair, where students presented their projects in the school's gymnasium. And it offered “science exploration,” which allowed attendees to take part in various scientific activities.

More than 35 students presented. They could work either alone or in groups and could receive help from their parents.

“We tried to cover a lot of the bigger buckets of science,” said Teresa Rubio, a PTA parent and co-chairwoman of the event with Renee Estrada. Rubio’s husband, Ted Watkins, worked on a hands-on demonstration that allowed attendees to make their own splints, while their son, Brendan, demonstrated basic physics properties through his “Marble Mania” display.

“I think it matters that they’re exposed to [science] when they’re young so they don’t fear it,” Rubio said.

Among the students with displays were Joey and Jacob Udovich. Jacob’s project, “Cleaning Pennies,” involved using food items like salsa, pudding, vinegar and water to see which one cleaned pennies the best. The winner? Salsa.

“The vinegar [in salsa] loosens the dirt on the penny and that’s called copper oxide,” Jacob, 6, said. “Vinegar on its own can also clean up a penny very good.”

Jacob’s mother, Trish Udovich, said Science Night gave Jacob a chance to interact with others.

“We just want him to learn how to explain his thinking,” she said.

Joey, 9, used cabbage juice on several substances, including egg whites, baking soda, orange juice and sweet tea, to see if they were acids and bases. Joey said he hoped to learn from other people’s projects, as well.

“It’ll give me ideas for the next science fair and give me great ideas for what I can do and what I can improve on,” he said.

Luke Marple, 9, dropped various candies, including red Twizzlers, Mentos and sour Starbursts, into soda bottles to see which would cause the most fizz. Luke said he got the idea from a friend, who stuck Twizzlers into a soda bottle during a Super Bowl party.

Barnsley principal Andrew Winter said Science Night gave students a chance to learn about the investigative process.

“I think there’s been a great organization and a nice blend between the professional scientists and the student scientists,” Winter said.

Barnsley has held a Science Night for six years, said PTA president Molly Natchipolsky. Initially, it only consisted of student exhibits, but over the years has expanded and introduced more hands-on activities.

“I think we’ll keep thinking of new ideas to make it more exciting and more fun to the kids,” Natchipolsky said. “We want to continue to find ways to get families to participate.”