"It's amazing how they act," said Hilton's Quest Elementary School student Chris Messmer about the "Gone to the Dogs!" workshop he attended which examined just how different and interesting dogs can be. The 400-pupil school became a hub of science learning June 9 as students were exposed to some of the core concepts of science as well as some of the more exciting properties of the natural world. In "Roller Coaster Physics" (above), students from Hilton High School physics classes worked with mechanical engineer and Quest parent David Jones to see how the forces of gravity act on objects such as accelerating roller coaster cars as energy changes from potential to kinetic. In "Thump-a-Thump Thump! Human Heart" workshop, parent Kathy Arnold, R.N. and cardiac sonagrapher Jeanne Taranto, both from Strong Memorial Hospital's Echo Lab, demonstrated aspects of the heart's rhythm by using both a stethoscope and an ultrasound machine. In other workshops students learned the power of "Geo-Caching" with hand-held GPS devices; the art and science of electro-shocking and seine netting fish and other animals in Salmon Creek at the school's outdoor classroom; and making ice cream the old-fashioned way. June 18, 2006 |
