Hamilton Science Department Dazzles Elementary Students

The third graders of Myles Elementary School in New Hartford were already excited to get half the day off from school, but they had no idea how much entertainment was in store for them during their science day at Hamilton College.  "I hope to spark their enthusiasm, and it would be great if I could help them maintain it," said Professor of Physics Gordon Jones.

The young students arrived in the Science auditorium around 9:30 a.m. with a roar, but Science Day organizer and Professor of Biology David Gapp had his team well prepared for over-eager young students.  Professor Gapp greeted the students and often joked with around them, "By the way, if you learn something today it's okay," said the light-hearted Gapp. 

Professor Weldon displaying  his colorful brain

Before being split up into groups, the students were introduced to Professor of Psychology Douglas A. Weldon, who taught the third graders about functions of the different regions of the brain and visual illusions.  By showing the fascinated students a color-coded model of the brain, as well as some classical optical illusions they learned a few basics about the field of psychology. 

Myles Elementary students then split up and dispersed to the different levels of the Science building where delighted professors waited for them.  Some students stayed just outside the main auditorium where Professor of Archaeology Tom Jones had set-up an interactive display for the energized third graders.  Professor Jones showed the students a rock called obsidian, which is basically cooled volcanic glass; Jones then proceeded to demonstrate how early man crafted these rocks into tools in what he described as "One of the most important inventions early man ever made."   Another group of students were down the hall in the classroom of Professor of Geology Cindy Domack, where they learned characteristics of different types of rocks and how to identify them.  Three summer students, seniors Amanda Waite, Tricia

Professor Domack and assistant teaching students

Kowalski, and Heather Johnson, assisted Domack.  When asked why she takes time out of her busy day to teach the elementary students, Domack replied, "I like to share the study of the Earth with hands-on examples to show young students how fun and interesting geology can be."
 
Other students were downstairs having just as much fun in the Physics auditorium.  Professor of Physics Gordon Jones taught students about the intricacies of air pressure with several interactive examples.  After impressing everyone by lying down on a bed of razor sharp nails to display how air pressure is dispersed over a certain amount of area, he went further and put a wooden plank on top on himself, while still lying on the nails, and asked for a young student to be placed upon the plank!  Jones proceeded with the next experiment, having supreme confidence in the rules of air pressure, by filling a jar with water and covering it with a thin sheet of plastic.  He then turned the jar upside down over his head instead of being soaked; Jones remained dry because air pressure was being exerted upwards keeping the plastic sheet up against the opening of the jar.
 
The last stop, and overwhelmingly the students' favorite, was Professor Gapp's display of reptiles.  Third graders piled on top of each other in a frenzy to get a chance to pet the snakes Gapp had moving up and down his body.  Gapp had a snake, affectionately called "Copper," slithering down his arm.  But, that did not compare to the seven-foot boa

Professor Gapp getting wrapped up in his lesson

constrictor that followed.  Calm and collected, Gapp handled the gentle snake without fear while the wide-eyed students caressed the snake's skin.  Next, Gapp brought out a large snapping turtle and warned the eager students to always be wary of a snapping turtles' mouth because of the long reach and powerful jaws they possess.  After the "snapper" the students met a relatively young alligator that, one red-haired third grader commented, "Was the coolest."  Many other professors confessed that it was hard to compete with the animals, but that they try their best to open the eyes of students and receive the occasional "Oooo" or "Aaahhhh."  Overall, the morning was filled with learning and fun to the delight of both students and faculty alike.