By Maryanne Saxon
How far is the Owl Nebula from earth?
What’s the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?
What are the main ingredients in slime?
Need some help? Just ask a TJ Titan — any 3rd-, 4th- or 5th grader who attended the fourth Annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) night at Morristown’s Thomas Jefferson School. He or she will surely know the answer.
- Fourth Grade students, Ava Zappulla, Anna Tarzanin and Sophia Vail brainstorm their roller coaster plans. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Thanks to the passion and innovation of science teacher Gabrielle Meyer, the Titan community has a new spin on science fairs. No tabletop solar systems and seltzer-erupting volcanoes at this event. This night was a collection of hands-on engineering projects, tech activities, math workshops and independent science presentations.
Students, sibling and parents followed a well orchestrated schedule.
Fifth grade teacher Megan Lucignani and physical education teacher Gerald Brown spent the evening conducting physics classes for 4th graders.
Don’t be surprised if you see a new roller coaster going up at Six Flags this summer: Students engineered their own, assessing the rise and fall of their creation and including a few gravity-defying loop-the-loops along the way. With a paper cup, some foam tubing and lots of creativity, these young physicists managed to take a marble on a wild ride.
In room 9 — or should we say, “Deep Space 9” — TJ teachers Casey O’Brien and Diego Salas guided youngsters and parents through the galaxy using the Sky View application on school iPads.
In a half hour’s time, students located Saturn’s biggest moon and predicted the 5:56 am sunrise for Friday, May 1st. They also were able to name the five planets one can see without a telescope and knew that the International Space Station was moving at 15,145 miles per hour — all while sitting comfortably at their desks.
The science room at TJ was a whirlwind of activity, too. Mrs. Bollinger and Mrs. Considine helped 5th grade students design working windmills. Amazing what kids can do with a little ingenuity, an orange juice carton, Styrofoam ball and some drinking straws!
New Morris School District Superintendent, Mackey Pendergrast got his first glimpse of the exciting happenings; he really got an eyeful in the gymnasium, where rows and rows of marvelous science projects were displayed.
These eye-catching presentations showcased the many experiments students conducted at home: Experiments on detergents, the intelligence of pets, making bubble gum to compete with a store brand, and the effects of soda on your body.
“I was very proud of the experiments!” Meyer exclaimed after reviewing all of them.
Aden Jordan stands proudly next to his science display on pond water– wonder if his research provided any insight into the age old question: Do toads really turn into princes from a kiss? Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Papier mâché creations, beautifully decorated poster boards and clay models were everywhere. Employees from BASF transformed the TJ stage into a laboratory. All budding chemists were fitted with goggles and rubber gloves to handle a “sticky experiment.” BASF supplied the small scientists with all the ingredients to make slime… in various colors. It was a popular attraction.
“We have been participating with TJ’s STEM event for the past three years, and also visit for National Chemistry week during the third week in October,” said Molly Borst, science education specialist from BASF, as she handed out science magazines and mesh bags to all the slime-makers.
“A wonderful team effort,” said Vilma Velez-Manning, parent of 4th-grade girls Izzy and Elisa. “It is so great to see how many teachers are participating in the event.”
Meyer, the mother of STEM, agreed wholeheartedly. “This is all possible because of our amazing staff… STEM may have been my brainchild, but I would never have seen it come to life if not for the shared passion and enthusiasm of the TJ staff. This event really speaks to who we are as a school.”
TJ Principal Cristina Frazzano loves the event. “A great family night for all,” she said.
Of course, science often yields unexpected spinoffs. Because the cafeteria housed STEM projects, TJ students got a chance to enjoy picnic lunches on the lawn. This proved such a hit that Frazzano is thinking of making outdoor dining a regular occurrence.
Talk about food for thought!
