Pittsfield Elementary School's science fair projects span crepes to robots
Second-grade Pittsfield Elementary student Octavia Anderson holds some of the seedlings she started as part of her 2010 Science Fair project. More than 230 projects were on display Thursday night at the southeast Ann Arbor school.
Ann Farnham | Contributor
The event is just a few years old but has fast become a family favorite of ours. And from the size of this midweek assembly, many others feel the same. Bigger crowds turn out for the school's Science Fair evenings each year than any other event.
First-grade student Tonantzi Sagastume proudly displays her Reusable Items Science Fair project at Pittsfield Elementary.
Farnham | Contributor
Projects were submitted from each grade, from kindergarten to fifth, and reflected the wide range of ages, abilities and inventiveness. The commitment of the community of students, parents, teachers and staff to this event, and the science curriculum it supports, is obvious just walking down the many rows of projects.
The Pittsfield Elementary Robotics Club (P.E.R.C.) provided robot demonstrations all evening on the stage, attracting interest from new parents of younger children for next year. As the fifth-graders move on, new third-graders take their spots in the science and engineering-focused club.
The event is growing so fast it has almost outgrown the largest room in the school.
My own child's final elementary school science fair project focused on her love of cooking: how the number of eggs used alters her favorite crepe recipe. It was great fun watching her - and helping her - put it all together this year. It brought us all together around her lab, our kitchen and dining room. Especially when it came time to test the results.
Feeding a love of science, community and curiosity is what it's all about. Well done, young Pittsfield scientists!
Ann Farnham is a mother of two, community volunteer, and personal organizer. Follow her at Ann of Ann Arbor.