Experimenting With Fun Hands-On Camp Tries To Spark Kids’ Interest In Science

Holding a spinning bicycle wheel in the air, Bianca Pope twirled like a gyroscope as she kept her balance while demonstrating kinetic energy.

“You can feel it pulling you this way and that way,” said 9-year-old Pope of Spokane, who was among nearly 800 students who turned out Tuesday for the Bank of America Science Kids Camp at the West Central Community Center.

“It’s the energy from the wheel and the way you turn it,” Pope said, explaining how the rotating wheel propelled her in alternating directions. “I love science.”

The interactive gyroscope was one of several dozen hands-on exhibits and activities the kids enjoyed during the daylong event. Produced in partnership with Seattle’s Pacific Science Center, the free camp is designed to increase children’s interest in science.

“Studies have shown that American kids are lagging in terms of math and science literacy,” said Laura Jones, Bank of America spokeswoman. “This is a great opportunity for the bank to get out and support math and science education.”

In addition to all the gadgets demonstrating principles of electricity, magnetism, light beams and other concepts, the children also were treated to demonstrations by Pacific Science Center instructors.

“This is the don’t-try-this-at-home part of the show,” instructor Steve Williams announced during the combustion portion of the “Radical Reactions” presentation.

Holding two burning matches between his fingers and a handful of combustible powder, Williams tossed his hand in the air. A fireball erupted, extinguishing itself as it fell to the ground.

Williams made the children make a vow, which brought a round of giggles.

“Repeat after me,” he said. “I solemnly swear to not play with fire because I like my friends, my brothers and sisters, and I don’t want to blow them up.”

Other experiments included a soap suds volcano, a liquid rainbow made with a drop of acid and a demonstration on static electricity.

Using a Van de Graaff generator - a device that produces static electricity - the instructors gave a lesson on the nature of electrons.

Eight-year-old Kyanna Bender of Spokane helped with the demonstration. With her hand placed on top of the silver sphere, her blond, bobbed hair rose and stood on end.

“Electrons don’t like each other and they try to get as far away from each other as possible,” explained instructor Sharon Wilcox.

The traveling science camp will complete its five-city tour this week. It is scheduled to be in Kennewick on Thursday and in Yakima on Friday.