SpectrUM exhibit entices kids to interact
Nicole Tavenner
sea of gravel speckled with garnets glows on a lighted display, part of the University of Montana’s traveling science exhibit, SpectrUM.
Nicole Tavenner
Students sport eye protection for one of the science demonstrations.
Nicole Tavenner
tudents sport eye protection for one of the science demonstrations.
Nicole Tavenner
Young chicks are held tenderly.
Nicole Tavenner
Students create sculptures using magnets and washers.
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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Nicole Tavenner
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Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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The honker was nearly as big as K. William Harvey Elementary School first grader Briella Brown, and the small girl was bright-eyed as she stuck her arm elbow-deep up into the giant plastic nose with a teensy weensy q-tip.
Her eyes widened and face formed into a giggle as she squished her arm and pulled the previously lily-white swab from the nostril, now covered in brown goop.
“Ew,” Brown squealed. “Boogers. Boogers.”
The goop was placed on a microscope slide where she and her fellow classmates could examine it as part of the SpectrUM Science Museum, University of Montana exhibit that opened its doors to schools and families from across the valley last week. The three day event saw more than 1,000 youngsters, according to K. William Harvey Dean of Students Carey Swanberg.
Students spent the day at stations in the gymnasium, climbing on an inflatable brain, taking apart medical models of the human body, dissecting pig hearts, playing with strong magnets and making paper cups defy gravity and fly.
This year’s event showcased physics and human health and the students seemed to enjoy every minute of it.
“I like it because it’s engaging,” Swanberg said. “It’s not hands-off. It’s hands-on learning.”
Swanberg said it was a huge feat to put the event on. Teachers were kicked out of their physical education classrooms, and sponsors for the event had to be found. Swanberg thanked all who made it a reality, including the Indian Education Committee, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and the K. William Harvey PTA.
