Donahue Elementary Science Fair Draws a Crowd

A big crowd of Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School students and their parents and teachers filled the school's cafeteria Thursday night for Donahue's first school-wide science fair.

Fifth-grade teacher Gina Verderosa, who has a middle-school science background, said the event, designed to get older students involved in demonstrating science activities and experiments to others, had been in the works for awhile.

"For a really long time, I've wanted to do this as a school," Verderosa said. Fifth graders acted as hosts for the event, entertaining younger kids and visitors with various interactive displays.

"It's a lot more than just looking at others' projects," said Verderosa.

Support from the PTA also allowed the school to bring in a mobile planetarium owned by Ocean County College, a favorite with the students.