‘Science is Fun’ at Waimea Canyon Middle School

Waimea Canyon Middle School’s cafeteria was buzzing with activity during “Science is Fun Night,” Oct. 1. Science Club students in grades six through eight joined teachers Susan Togioka, Lisa Nishizuka and Justin Yamagata for the event. Other Waimea Canyon Middle School staff and community partners also contributed to the various hands-on demonstrations and activities. 

The Science Club’s goal is to share science experiences and show that science is fun. Togioka said that “sharing and evaluating what we learn with others is an important part of science, that’s what keeps it moving.” 

The event tied grade level science standards to the General Learner Outcomes that all Hawai‘i Department of Education students aim to achieve.

Students and their families were fascinated by the many demonstrations.  Some of the demonstrations included airzooka bowling, a hovercraft target game, frog dissection, balloon cars and expanding soap. 

Cheryl Shintani, resource teacher for the Koke’e Discovery Center had students testing the quality of the school’s drinking water. Everyone was happy to learn that the school’s water is safe. Syngenta demonstrated that mud conducts electricity, General Dynamics had a long line of people waiting to make five minute ice cream and Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative shared their energy-generating bicycle. Pioneer-Hi Bred used papayas to show DNA isolation, and Computer Services Corporation along with Scientific Technologies Unlimited LLC  had students launching straw rockets.

“I had a lot of fun at the science night,” said sixth grader Selena Perez-Suniga. “I really liked that all the people like to make balloon cars and make pictures from the colored water. I’m staying in the Science Club next quarter.”

The next Science Night will be held at the school in December and focus on science and technology with a robotics competition.