Family Science Night at Thurmont Primary School

Theresa Dardanell From high in the sky to deep in the ocean and everything in between. That’s what students at Thurmont Primary School had a chance to investigate during Family Science Night in November. A team from The Maryland Science Center in Baltimore provided students and their families an opportunity to explore science experiments and activities through a Title 1 Family Involvement Grant. This popular event brought fifty families to the school. Principal Karen Locke said that over eighty-six children participated. As students arrived at the gym, they picked up an activity “passport” that guided them through eight stations: Cosmic Colors, Up In The Sky, Tiny Tech, Wild Eyes, Shore Thing, Mystery Liquids, Optical Illusions, and Let’s Roll. Pete Yacone, Senior Director of Education at the Maryland Science Center, and his team, provided hands-on activities. Students and their families had the chance to look at the world through the eyes of other animals, to discover why the sky is blue, and to learn how rocks become the sand on the beach. They worked with liquids to solve a mystery, and made predictions about objects rolling down a ramp. Mr. Yacone said that the members of his team enjoy working with children and families, and they adjust their presentations based on the age of the participants. The STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, math) organization at The Maryland Science Center develops programs that supplement the curriculum and supplies materials and equipment that may not be available at the schools. The Literacy/Math Night at Thurmont Primary will be held in April 2017. Sign up for the FCPS “Find Out First” service to get information about all the events at the school. Quintin and Joclyn Cassidy, Adalynn and Elliana Mucker, and Logyn Thomas are shown at the Mystery Liquids station with Diane from the Maryland Science Center.