Tharptown Elementary hosts first science fair
Tharptown Elementary School hosted the school’s very first science fair on Friday and the students’ hard work paid off as they received praise from a large group of students and parents who gathered despite the nasty weather.
The students who participated in the fair were part of Michelle Kent’s fifth and sixth grade science classes and Kent said the fair is something she has wanted to implement at the school for a while now.
“I always said that whenever I became a teacher, especially if I was a science teacher, that I wanted to do a science fair for the kids,” Kent said. “I asked our principal, Mr. [Barry] Laster, and he thought it was a good idea and was very supportive. I have a great group of teachers who have also been really supportive, so I am very thankful because I couldn’t have done this all by myself.”
Kent said each project involved the scientific method, which is part of their course of study.
Some of the projects were technical like the “Which Tape is Strongest?” by fifth graders Tyler Kent, Tristan Rhea, Austen Cothrum and Skylar Latson. Other projects were a little more on the fun side like the “Shh… It’s a Pop Secret” project completed by fifth graders Jose Lozano, D. J. Young and Tyler Chaney where they determined which brand of popcorn leaves the fewest un-popped kernels.
“This fair is a great learning experience because not only are the students learning more about their own particular projects but they’re learning about each others projects, too,” Kent said. “It’s also a good way to get the parents involved in what the students are learning because that way the parents can feel like they know what’s going on and it helps the students keep from feeling overwhelmed. It’s a good bonding opportunity for kids this age.”
Kent said professors from the chemistry departments at both UNA and NW-SCC volunteered to serve as judges for the fair and both CB&S Bank and First Metro Bank in Russellville donated savings bonds to give to the first place winners in each grade.
“I’m happy the local community is supporting our kids and their projects they’ve worked so hard on,” Kent said.
