Scientific curiosity encouraged during family night
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RONAN – Ronan students and their families explored the mysteries of the world during Family Science Night at the K. William Harvey Elementary on Thursday evening.
“This event gives families an opportunity to come out, be part of the school community and get involved with their students,” explained Alicia Hakes, K. William Harvey Elementary second-grade teacher. Hakes is also a co-organizer of the annual evening to celebrate all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) related.
The free two-hour event featured more than thirty different interactive activities set up in the school’s gym and cafeteria that provided students opportunities to deepen their learning of science concepts through problem-solving, questioning and engagement. Students led the majority of the hands-on activity stations, including making scented hand cream, water erosion, energy, origami and glow in the dark slime. “All the different activities helped the kids realize how many different pieces there are to science,” said Hakes. “Now, they will go out and see science everywhere.”
Salish and Kootenai College instructor Hannah Kimmel led the “science of the body” activity where students colored in the various parts of the human digestive system or glued marshmallow in a mouth made out of construction paper. “This is a fun event,” said Kimmel. “The kids get to learn about the digestive system and other body systems,” Kimmel said.
One popular activity was the design, construction and test firing of a cotton-ball catapult, which was made of popsicle sticks. Another crowd pleaser was the wildlife exhibit provided by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks where visitors were able to touch and feel the fur of mammals that call Montana home.
In one of the rooms, snakes slithered around in glass holding tanks, while in another area large beetles and insects climbed on the fingers of inquisitive kids. “This is a great opportunity for the kids to experience insects up close,” said Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium volunteer Sydney Stuart.
Organizers added something new and exciting to this event, an inflatable dome planetarium. “This is the first year we’re running it. It’s amazing,” Hakes said. “It was donated to us by the SKC science lab. You can see the different phases of the constellations and stars.”
With an expanded roster of exhibits and activities, the science event offered plenty of fun activities related to STEAM that may just fuel the minds and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and astronauts. “I am very pleased with how the night went and excited to have over 250 people come and take part in the evening’s festivities and learning,” Hakes said.
