Bear Tavern School

Science Fair & Invention Convention

BTPTO Web Site

2010 Bear Tavern Science Fair & Invention Convention

(submitted by Angela Jacobs & Donna Costanzo, co-chairs)

On Friday, April 16, 2010, 75 Bear Tavern Elementary students participated in the 3^rd Annual BTPTO Science Fair and Invention Convention. It was an amazing evening that further engaged the children's natural curiosity and love of science! Students exhibited collection displays, models, demonstrations, report displays, experiments, and inventions. Topics exhibited ranged from investigations on the mechanics of gears, volcanoes, butterflies, manatees, horses, cleaning agents, the anatomy of the cat, the solar system, coral reefs, crystals, and the food pyramid. Experiments observed tested theories of oxidation using bananas, electrical circuits, wave patterns in water, and even one in which the evening's observers became participants in the “Pepsi Challenge”. Student inventions solved some of life's challenges such as how to teleport candy from one place to another and cleaning baby bottles more efficiently!

As the judging process began, families were able to visit the many “Meet the Scientist” tables. These were highly interactive, “hands-on” exhibits that families greatly enjoyed. Present were representatives from the Academy of Natural Sciences (Animal Exhibit), Capital Health Systems (Hand Washing with Luminescent Gel Check and Blood Pressure Monitoring), Mad Science Group (Crystal Gardens), Washington Crossing Audubon Society (Ornithology: The Study of Birds), Timberlane Middle School (Timberlane Robotics), Continuum Dynamics, Inc. (Networked Engineering Flight Simulation), College of New Jersey (The Conducting Robot), Bristol Engineering (What Do Chemical Engineers Do?), and Princeton University (Travel through Astronomy).

The night would also not be complete without two amazing shows led by the Academy of Natural Sciences (Phila.) and the Mad Science Group. The Academy of Natural Sciences showed off their red-tail hawk, skunk, alligator and boa constrictor! The presenter from the Mad Science Group made mini-volcanoes explode and made varying sounds from heat.

All children received one complimentary pass to the Academy of Natural Sciences. The K-3^rd graders received ribbons for their participation while the 4^th and 5^th graders competed for 1^st,, 2^nd , 3^rd ,prize or honorable mentions. All 4^th and 5^th grade judges were unaffiliated members of the community that volunteered their time.

Fourth grade award recipients from left to right: Emily Trend (honorable mention), Elsa Perelli (honorable mention), Maya Nandy (3^rd place), Bruce Arcurio (principal), Mike Saunders (2^nd place), and Katie Genovesi (1^st place)

Fifth grade award recipients from left to right: Mathew Kim (1^st place), Thomas Vite (3^rd place), Celia Butrym (honorable mention), Bruce Arcurio (principal), Thomas Siggillino (2^nd place), and Ivy Casieri (honorable mention)