With an estimated 1100 people in attendance, EC’s planetarium and science classrooms were taken over by many middle school and high school students last weekend, Jean Shankweiler, head of the Natural Science division said.
EC and American Honda Motor Co. Inc. sponsored the event, Honda paying for the food and supplying volunteers and EC providing the supplies, the facilities and instructors and student volunteers.
“This year we got the opportunity to have In-N-Out burgers. The first 850 students to register were given a coupon for a free lunch,” Jean Shankweiler said. “The first time we held the event we only had 300 people and provided sandwiches. This is a great growth in number.”
Different activities and experiments were available for elementary and middle school students to try, including the “World of Insects” room where guests could see different kinds of bugs and could even eat cooked worms.
“Let’s Do Launch!” was another activity where students could make their own rockets using soda bottles and paper. They filled them up with water and launched them.
“The rocket-making is a great way for the kids to feel excited for science. This activity is one of the most popular. We got about 80 kids in here overall,” Brandon Roth, Space Science Day volunteer, said.
Robotics also held a place at Space Science Day. Demonstrators brought along their robots, including the soccer playing robot named Tortilla. Tortilla has built in ball detection sensors to ensure successful kicking and a ball magnet that holds the ball while moving.
“Out of all the activities, I liked the robotics demonstrations best,” Justin Hong, 12, said. “I want to build robots when I grow up. It doesn’t matter what kind, but I want to build them.”
This event is dedicated to the memory of the seven astronauts aboard the Challenger who died on January 28, 1986.
The family of Ellison Onizuka, one of the astronauts on board, donated memorial money for the funding of the Onizuka Memorial Committee.
The Onizuka Committee funds Space Science Day.
“EC has had the privilege of hosting Space Science Day for the past 13 years. Space Science Day is a great way for kids to learn about science and consider a career in the science field,” Barbara Roth, said.
NASA Astronaut Daniel M. Tani was the keynote speaker for the event.
His experience in space includes a mission on the Space shuttle Endeavor, the 12th shuttle flight to visit the International Space Station.
The Space Science Day is to make Math and Science fun for students and to get involved,” Roth said. “It’s important that kids have a good basis for Science.”