Record-breaking Science and Math Event

Over 30 members of our biology honor society, the Chi Upsilon chapter of Beta Beta Beta, participated in Antheil Elementary School's sixth annual "Hands-On Science Night with a Dash of Math" recently, which attracted more than 800 students and parents. This event is a nationally recognized science program and winner of the N.J. School Board Leaders Award. Well-trained inquiry-based teachers, the foundation of the event, were assisted by The College of New Jersey students with advisor Dr.Donald Lovett of the Biology Department. Activities included: Leeches & Millipedes, Slime & Polymers, The Shocking Truth About Static Electricity, Exploring Magnets, Vinegar Bobbers, Leaf Rubbings, Sense of Smell, Red Cabbage Magic, Animal X-Rays, Instant Snow, Fingerprinting, Building Bridges, Termite Trails, Kool-Aid Saturation, Inside-Out Baggies, Herculean Index Cards, Dancing Papers, Salt and Pepper Dance, and Fizz Quiz.

Upon entering the school and signing in, participants were able to sample a cricket and win chocolate covered ants by picking a lucky red ant. Another highlight was the "Mealworm Fixins Bar" that included mealworms to be dipped in chocolate, maple syrup, or cheddar cheese. There also was an opportunity for participants to purchase a leaf in support of the ongoing "Outdoor Classroom." Other activities were a fun, hands-on way to explore math. Facilitated by teachers and aided by students from TCNJ, these activities included: estimating with Goldfish, building tetrahedrons with marshmallows and toothpicks, finding out if Double Stuffed Oreos are really double stuffed, measuring to find out how many Oreos are in a foot, using M&Ms and Skittles to explore fractions, geometric puzzles, games to practice math facts, and measuring the distance flown with homemade airplanes.