2008 Woodie Awards
Science Day Gives Students Opportunity to Showcase Work
Molly Saunders: Muleskinner
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
Among a sea of junior high and high school students, a gray ponytail stands out. Carrying a cardboard display in one hand and a cloth briefcase in the other, the man finally finds what he is looking for, puts down his bag and opens the display.
As the only adult to be seen setting up a display for the annual Science Day at the University of Central Missouri, he explains why.
"This student wasn't able to attend today, so I said I'd bring it for her," said Brian Holgrem, science teacher at Leeton High School. "Ever since I've been teaching there, for about five years, we've been attending UCM's Science Day."
The display Holgrem's student had completed was an experiment involving the true moisturizing power of Vitamin E; whether or not it stood up to its claim. It was among about 250 displays set up in the hallways of the WC Morris science building Friday.
A new faculty member in the chemistry department, Gija Geme, was one of the people in charge of a group of students who volunteered to judge the experiments.
"I have helpers and I'm helping them to judge. I have to make sure they are all doing what they are supposed to be doing and they are where they are supposed to be," said Geme, assistant professor of chemistry.
Like a colony of ants, all performing their respective duties, students and faculty filled the science buildings' hallways and corridors as the morning progressed. But in this colony, there was not a visible queen. Instead, many people cooperated this year to attract students from about 15 schools around the region to the fair.
Members of the science department, mathematics department and computer science department, along with members of Sigma Xi, were credited with coordinating the fair this year. Scott McKay, chemistry professor at UCM, said this year has been about adding activities for the participating students.
"We are really looking to make it more fun for the students this year," he said. "There is a chemistry demonstration show, and we are having a bunch of hands-on exhibits and food for the teachers and students."
As the only adult to be seen setting up a display for the annual Science Day at the University of Central Missouri, he explains why.
"This student wasn't able to attend today, so I said I'd bring it for her," said Brian Holgrem, science teacher at Leeton High School. "Ever since I've been teaching there, for about five years, we've been attending UCM's Science Day."
The display Holgrem's student had completed was an experiment involving the true moisturizing power of Vitamin E; whether or not it stood up to its claim. It was among about 250 displays set up in the hallways of the WC Morris science building Friday.
A new faculty member in the chemistry department, Gija Geme, was one of the people in charge of a group of students who volunteered to judge the experiments.
"I have helpers and I'm helping them to judge. I have to make sure they are all doing what they are supposed to be doing and they are where they are supposed to be," said Geme, assistant professor of chemistry.
Like a colony of ants, all performing their respective duties, students and faculty filled the science buildings' hallways and corridors as the morning progressed. But in this colony, there was not a visible queen. Instead, many people cooperated this year to attract students from about 15 schools around the region to the fair.
Members of the science department, mathematics department and computer science department, along with members of Sigma Xi, were credited with coordinating the fair this year. Scott McKay, chemistry professor at UCM, said this year has been about adding activities for the participating students.
"We are really looking to make it more fun for the students this year," he said. "There is a chemistry demonstration show, and we are having a bunch of hands-on exhibits and food for the teachers and students."
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