Windsor Elementary School holds family science night

Various classrooms at Windsor Elementary School were transformed into a number of different laboratories for the school's family science night, Jan. 14.

Many of the classrooms had different activities for students and their families to participate in relating to different sciences, including biology. In the gym, students ran through an obstacle course modeled after a living heart. In one of the classrooms, students got to play with a model of a pig's heart and lungs, as well as see the effects smoke has on lungs.

"We try to do a family curriculum night each year that revolves around math, reading and science," Principal Vince Songaylo said. "This is the second family science night for us in a few years." "Sue McAdam, she coordinated all of this, did an awesome job. We tried to mix it up with all of the different activities."

Students also performed density experiments, made casts of animal tracks with volunteers from Turnbull Wildlife Refuge as well as learned about what foods are in their cereal and how to prepare themselves for a natural disaster. Westwood Middle School teachers and staff volunteered and helped Windsor students create straw rockets and connectors.

One of the bigger attractions were the Mobius Science Center demonstrations. During the demonstrations, "The Scientist," a character played by Phil Lindsey, CEO at Mobius Science Center and Mobius Children's Museum demonstrated how a pickle can be an electrical conduit. He also brought students up to help him demonstrate how a Tesla Coil works.

"For us, coming out to events like this is a good way for students and others to get excited about science," Lindsey said. "There's nothing like having many things light up and blow up but we also answer questions from students. We also bring resources that maybe schools don't have."

The Spokane County Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort also registered families for its Family Identification program. Staff from the Chas Clinic, which recently opened in Cheney, was on hand to perform blood pressure checks and give health information to parents and students.

"All the parents and students I've talked to were really pleased," Songaylo said. "We had a pretty good turnout."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.