Base Primary School students explore scientific wonders Published April 29, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- For students from the Base Primary School, April 25 was anything but normal. Approximately 375 children from kindergarten through fourth grade learned about the world of science during the Mountain Home Air Force Base Parent Teacher Partnership hosted Science Day held at Stephensen Middle School. "We wanted to do something for the kids to enrich their education," said Kristin Finley, PTP president. The day started with a presentation by the Discovery Center of Idaho's Mark Werthmann and Woody Sobey, who put on a science circus. While juggling was used to teach students about gravity, Mr. Sobey rode a unicycle to teach children about dynamic stability. "In order to have dynamic stability, something has to be moving," he explained while riding the unicycle. After the science circus, the students spent the day rotating between five stations. During the rockets class, also hosted by the Discovery Center of Idaho, children used paper, tape and paper clips to construct make-shift rockets. Mr. Werthmann and Mr. Sobey then used a "launcher," made from recycled pop bottles and bicycle tubing, to shoot the rockets across the gym. The germs class, taught by Timothy Hughes, 366th Medical Support Squadron microbiologist, and Airman Tracy Adams, 366th Aeromedical Dental Squadron Public Health technician, showed the students proper hand-washing techniques. They also discussed food safety and showed Petri dishes containing common bacteria like Escherichia coli. To finish, students examined Petri dishes containing samples collected from door knobs and desks from the fourth grade class two days prior. The PTP also hosted a class called "creeping colors." Students cut a strip in a coffee filter, colored it with marker and watched what happened when it was placed in water. Staff Sgt. Kassandra Seymour and Senior Airman Raven Harris, both from the 366th Operations Support Squadron weather flight, explained to students why their job is critical to the Air Force and showed them what equipment they use in deployed locations. They also explained what causes different types of weather to occur. During the Hagerman Fossil Bed's presentation, Annette Rousseau and Mary Carpenter explained what fossils are and how to find, preserve, clean and transport them. While Ms. Rousseau taught children about fossils from horses, camels, American mastodons and saber tooth cats, Ms. Carpenter walked around with fossil replicas from each animal. To finish the day, students met 'The Reptile Guy,', Corbin Maxey, and his many animals including Scooter the white lizard, Tank the African tortoise, Charlotte the tarantula and Sharkon the 15-foot Burmese python. "My favorite part was when he brought out the python," said Bryce Hartwell, a third grade student. Funds to support the science day came from the PTP budget and a donation from the Officer Spouses Club, both of which receive money mainly through fundraisers. "This is the reason we fundraise," said Mrs. Finley, "to give back to the kids and make the school a better place." "The entire day was amazing," said Sonja Smallwood, PTP member. "It's unlike anything we've ever done."