Ronan students turn interests into science projects
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RONAN – Mousetrap racecars, mini-tornadoes, and a small-scale solar system were some of the displays that fifth graders at K. William Harvey students created for the annual science fair on Thursday, May 13. According to teacher Sara Stenberg, the main goal of the fair is to teach students that anything can be turned into a science project.
Student Kiera Den Dekker’s project hypothesis was a first for the event. She questioned whether or not horse hooves are made of the same material as human fingernails.
“It took me a few days to find out through books and the Internet,” Dekker said, “but fingernails are the same as horse hooves.”
“We’ve never had anything like this, but I’m glad they can do what they are interested in,” Stenberg said. “It’s all about making science fun for them.”
The only material provided to students was the project board to hang their work from. All other materials were submitted by the students.
Alex Frank’s hard work was evident as he explained his display of a scale replica of the solar system to curious students walking by.
“It took me a few days to build,” Frank said. “The sun is a balloon with paper maché over it, and yellow spray-paint.”
There were no winners announced at the conclusion of the event, because it’s not about competition, Stenberg explained.
“We never name a winner. We want it to be educational and fun for the children,” she said.
Stenberg credits her students for doing an exceptional job this year on all their projects, and appreciates their hard work for the past month.
“They’re really good kids,” she said.
“And this gives them a chance to shine.”
