Hopewell Academy Science Fair Teaches More Than Just Science

Photos courtesy of Titus Payton

Last week, students at Hopewell Academy gathered together to present their school science projects.

The science fair came after months of hard work and collaborative efforts between the students, which is not always easy for some of them.

Hopewell is an alternative high school for students with emotional disorders and learning disabilities. The fair is a two-fold project for them: it helps teach science and social skills.

School principal Titus Payton said the fair contained many different projects, including one that experimented with buoyancy.

According to Payton, a group of students made different vessels to see which one had better buoyancy in the water.

“They created three different vessels that were shaped differently,” Payton said. “They wanted to see which one had the capacity to float better. That was one of my favorite ones.”

Another project showed the different uses for molasses.

In total, there were 15 projects worked on by the school’s 30 ninth- through 12th-grade students.

“They were either proving or disproving something,” Payton said.

While the students really began working on their projects after Christmas break, they were told of the fair at the beginning of the school year, which gave them plenty of time to think about what they wanted to do.

Although students had the option to create their project on their own, it was encouraged that they work in groups, which provides a sort of safety net for those who may suffer from anxiety or talking in front of people. That way, the students can rely and support one another.

And that’s often how it goes even outside the science fair.

“They’re all understanding that each student placed here is working on a personal issue that they have,” Payton said. “Our population of students understands that. Students are empathetic towards one another.”

That doesn’t mean the students are always perfect, but Payton said for the most part the they do a good job of understanding the issues and struggles other students have.

“One of the things that we try to do here at Hopewell is to create opportunities for them to overcome obstacles that they struggle with,” Payton said. “We give them coping strategies, coping skills and prepare them for life after high school.”

Hopewell Academy is located at 1009 S. Briggs St. in Joliet. Another branch is located at 1352 N. Cedar Road in New Lenox.