R. Grant Graham students explore science through experiments and experiences

Students from R. Grant Graham Elementary in Avondale School District and their families celebrated all things Science with experiments, guest speakers and exhibits that engaged children and parents alike during the school’s Science Night. The event, sponsored by the school’s PTO featured three community partners. Dr. Dale Partin presented two liquid nitrogen experiments; Mike Trelfa from the Michigan Mineralogical Society displayed Michigan rocks and fossils for students to see and touch; and Allison Kneisler brought students from the Avondale High School Robotics team to demonstrate the technology and mechanics of robotics engineering.

A schedule of events, appropriate and appealing to each elementary grade level, made it easy for students to engage in and embrace the activities. Hands-on science experiences were set up throughout the school including mini volcanoes, glycerin bubble stations, and paper airplane making. Music teacher, Marie Casorio led the students in the making of small instruments and demonstrated relationships between science and music.

Forty-five science projects submitted by sixty-four students were displayed throughout the building. Projects were categorized as experiment, demonstration, research, collection, apparatus or invention. Students were encouraged to do all of the work on their own, including conducting and documenting experiments, researching, assembling, designing, and creating written explanations and signage. During the presentation of the projects, students fielded questions from their classmates and parents to demonstrate mastery of their subject area.

R. Grant Graham Elementary Principal, Tony Harris was impressed with the efforts of the young scientists, “the amount of work that the students put into each project really showed in their final products. I was proud of how much time and thought and effort each student devoted to taking their idea and making it real.” Harris credits the success of the evening to the school’s PTO, “our parents really put everything into the event, they worked with the teachers and the community members to make it a night that each of our students will remember.”

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