Program has students 'mad' about science

SANDPOINT — “We learned that when you mix certain things together, you can get something that’s really different!” This scientific observation was made by a fourth-grade student in teacher Nancy Williams’ class at Kootenai Elementary School during a recent “Mad Science” project. The ongoing science program is made possible by a grant from the Panhandle Alliance for Education.

The goal of the grant, called “Soaring with Science,” is for teachers at Kootenai Elementary to be able to offer, on average, one hands-on science class a week in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades throughout the entire year. These lessons teach students the skills which are integral to the science curriculum, including math, art, reading and writing.

During the Mad Science project, students rotated through fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms, including those of Ms. Williams, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Larsen, Mrs. Leisy, Mrs. Roget and Ms. Clad. The children transformed themselves into scientists who measured and mixed ingredients to create new things which were, they said, “weird,” “a solid but also a liquid,” “gelatinous,” “gooey,” “slimy,” “yucky,” and “cool!”

“We observed the ‘Slime,’” said one student, “and answered questions about it, like ‘what does it look like, what does it feel like, what does it smell like, and should you taste it?’” Ms. Williams says this kind of hands-on, scientific observation is an important part of Mad Science. Of course, another benefit of this learning experience is that it’s just plain fun to create wacky concoctions from a few basic ingredients. For example, Slime is made from combining borax, blue glitter glue and water. Glowing rainbow bounce balls are created from glue, glow in the dark paint, borax and cornstarch. Ghost bubbles are made of dry ice, dish soap and warm water. And — probably the overall student favorite — edible boogers are the result of a mixture of Karo syrup, green food coloring and clear gelatin. And yes, they are indeed edible!

There’s no doubt about it: At Kootenai Elementary School, hands-on science can be both educational and fun.

The Panhandle Alliance for Education is a non-profit organization composed of local citizens, businesses, and educators. The organization’s mission is to promote excellence in education and broad-based community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Donations are distributed as a working pool of money used to fund local teacher grants, a district-wide writing program, a student wellness program, and other strategic programs. PAFE also funds READY! For Kindergarten, an early childhood literacy program for parents of children from birth to age five. To learn more about the Panhandle Alliance for Education or to make a monthly or one-time donation, visit the website at www.panhandlealliance.org or call Executive Director Marcia Wilson at 208-263-7040.