Science Fun High School Students Put Their Talents Into Competition At Hewlett-Packard

Thu., May 20, 1999

Amy Scribner Staff writer

Physics can be explained the boring way, in textbooks with charts and graphs.

Or it can be understood with head spins, flares and windmills.

Four Ferris High School students chose the latter last week, break dancing their way through a presentation on centrifugal force and Newton’s First Law of Inertia.

“A body at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an outside force,” explained Dan Singer, 17, while three classmates flopped around next to him.

“With a head spin, you have to maintain balance and distribute weight through your hands so you can spin longer,” he said, speaking over a loud crash.

“OK,” Singer said, smoothly shifting gears. “We’re going to do safety tips now.”

The presentation was part humor, part information. At stake: a first prize of scientific calculators.

More than 150 Spokane high schoolers traveled to Liberty Lake last week to talk science at Hewlett-Packard. The science fair is an annual event for Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), a program run through WSU-Spokane.

The program targets female and minority teens - two groups that rarely pursue careers in science and engineering.

“Competition always brings out our best,” said Aida Fraser-Hammer, the Spokane MESA coordinator. “It’s not the prize that’s important here. It’s showing what they can do in front of their peers and teachers.”

Other students last week made ice cream, built lava lamps, and researched resonance, tornadoes, or acids and bases.

The projects were judged based on accuracy and excitement - and sticking to a $20 budget.

The break dancing group searched the Internet to find out more about its topic.

“We tried to show physics plays more of a role in your life than you think,” said Singer.

“We didn’t want to get stuck with the same old boring science project,” said Drew Schaeffer, 16. “We wanted to put some pizazz into it. Science doesn’t have to be boring.”

Four Ferris sophomores took first place in the competition. Nicole Hammer, Chihy’e Flowers, Tara Parker and Bianca Lozano won for their presentation on air pressure.

Roosevelt marketplace Saturday

A new Spokane marketplace will open just for this weekend. The Roosevelt Elementary parent-teacher group will sponsor a rummage sale and market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 333 W. 14th. There will be food, crafts and face painting.

A booth will be set up for neighbors to learn more about the Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood Council.

The PTG is also planning a raffle for a four-day RV rental vacation valued at $800. Raffle tickets are $2, and the RV will be on display Saturday.

All proceeds go toward school programs. Any leftover items will be donated to Volunteers of America.

Hutton students sing tonight

Hutton Elementary’s first- and second-grade classes will perform at 7 p.m. tonight at Lewis and Clark High School - in their pajamas.The concert will include singing, speaking, dancing and instruments.

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