Mad About Science

Jan 18, 12:02 AM

An appearance by a "mad scientist" seemed appropriate at a school where children are mad about science.

Highland Elementary School kicked off its new after-school science club Tuesday with a visit by Sam Wendel of Mad Science, an Indianapolis business that produces demonstrations that pack some "cool" factor.

Wendel, a former Eli Lilly chemist, spoke to school assemblies during the day before meeting with the science club after school.

He stressed to Highland pupils that he's a scientist, "not a magician."

"A magician uses science, but he's trying to fool you," Wendel said.

"I'm not trying to fool you. If you see it happen up here, it really happened."

During his visit, which was a collaborative effort by Highland's PTA and its site council, Wendel torched a piece of flash paper, which disappeared instantly without leaving ashes.

He poured acetone on a plastic figure, making it disintegrate. He used a smoke machine and a plastic trash can with a hole in the bottom to puff vortex-shaped clouds throughout the school gymnasium.

And he used dry ice to generate the kind of smoke that movie producers make.

Highland students watched attentively and loved Wendel's show.

Fourth-grader Ethan Smith said he loves science because "there's always some new discovery. Things are never the same in science. There's always something else to work for."

"I like that you get to do lots of experiments in science," said third-grader Kailey Lowe. "They are really interesting. In our class, we're talking about matter, mass and volume. I want to do some experiments with that."

Ethan's mother, Brooksie Smith, president of Highland's PTA, said the new science club for fourth- and fifth-graders will meet twice a week.

Staff at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden will visit the club on Thursday.

(c) 2008 Evansville Courier & Press. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. Mad About Science
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