PCES tackles scientific exploration

NW-SCC’s Blake Dodge prepares a chemical reaction to create colored flames.

Students checked out the overhead lights through spectroscopes and shone flashlights through cloudy mixtures of milk and water, all as part of scientific demonstrations on chemistry by students from Northwest-Shoals Community College.

Luke Baker and Blake Dodge, NW-SCC students, showed Phil Campbell Elementary third and fourth graders a thing or two about chemical reactions as part of National Chemistry Week.

“They loved it. They were really great,” Dodge said.

Baker and Dodge agreed that showing the students a little hands-on science meant “they’ll be better prepared for college chemistry classes,” Dodge said. “Plus it’s just fun to learn about. They’ll have a better understanding of these types of subjects.”

PCES Principal Jackie Ergle said the school was thrilled to have NW-SCC students come speak to the students and demonstrate scientific principles because it gets PCES students engaged and excited about science.

Amy Thomas, whose third grade class got to experience the science presentation, agreed with Ergle.

“They are showing them lots of different things all at one time that I might not have the materials to do,” Thomas said. “They’ll remember more because they’re getting to actually do it instead of just reading all the time.”