Erupting volcanoes, creating tornadoes and dissecting the Earth's layers were just some of the endeavors that made science exciting for Plympton Elementary students yesterday.
As part of then High Touch High Tech in-school science workshop, fourth-graders took part in a variety of hands-on lessons.
"It's definitely more of a hands-on approach, which makes them able to connect more with the material," said fourth-grade teacher Danielle Abcunas. "It gives them more of a memory so when questions come up on a test they have an experience to relate to."
Clad in a white lab coat, collared shirt, shorts and sneakers, science instructor "Rocket" Ryan Paskow brought his favorite subject to students on their terms. His questions and body language caused children to frantically raise their hands and call out answers to questions. At one point the class created mini-tornadoes by shaking two 1-liter seltzer bottles, attached at the bottlenecks, in a circular motion.
"I learned the definition of a hurricane and a tornado. I learned about Hurricane Katrina and what states it struck," said fourth-grader Isaiah Johnson. "(Paskow) had all different kinds of experiments and he made it fun."
Students also peeled eggs onto paper plates using plastic knives, cutting the "Earth" in half.
"This is your egg Earth," Paskow said holding up a hard-boiled egg. "Today we're going to get to see its layers."
Another task was to divide the class into groups of three, giving each group a tin baking sheet, graduated cylinder full of vinegar, lemon dish soap and baking soda to create a volcano.
"I liked the volcano, how it exploded," said fourth-grader Erin King. "I learned about the layers of the Earth and that a tornado is stronger than a hurricane."
Principal Peter Silverman said the school's Parent Teacher Organization was responsible for bringing High Touch High Tech to the school yesterday.
"Our (Parent Teacher Organization) helps arrange these artists and works it into the curriculum," he said. "It's science and science should be fun."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
