Lakeview Middle School Hosts Science Show Thursday Night
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Tornado of fire! Explosions! Fire, flaming bubbles and more!
While it sounds like the makings of an action-packed Hollywood movie, it's actually the Lakeview Middle School 16th Annual Science Show. The public is invited to see the science in action Thursday at 7 p.m. at LMS auditorium, East Smith Street, Warsaw.
"We blow up stuff," said LMS science teacher Dan Wray. "You hear us say that a lot."
He said the public show Thursday night will include about 15 to 16 scientific demonstrations. The show for the LMS students Friday will present approximately 25. The four LMS science teachers - Wray, Chad Hoffert, Roger Haeck and Mark McCollom - also will present a show to Warsaw sixth graders Thursday afternoon with about a dozen demonstrations.
The science show began about 17 years ago when Wray presented the science demonstrations to his class as a Christmas treat. Haeck asked him to show the demonstrations to his class after that winter break. The next year, Warsaw's middle school split into two middle schools and the science show was born. Last year marked the first year for the public science show.
The science show, Wray said, showcases the "demonstrations that are too big, too loud or too expensive to perform in a traditional classroom setting."
Each year, the science teachers try to keep the science show fresh. By demonstrating the science to sixth graders, some who may eventually be LMS students, Wray said they have to try and present a different show each year so the students won't see the same show two or three years in a row. Over the years, Wray said they've come up with 60 to 65 different demonstrations. Some are better than others. McCollom's tornado of fire stays in every year. Hoffert has "money to burn" each year.
With all the fire and explosions, safety measures are taken. Wray said they keep the demonstrations a safe distance between the audience and the stage. The more dangerous a demonstration, the further back on stage it is shown. The Warsaw Fire Department sends a truck and rescue crew to the demonstrations. The fire marshall OKs the demonstrations.
"The partnership with another agency in town is just a nice thing," Wray said of the WFD's support.
While the public science show is free, donations will be accepted for the Mike Bott Science Scholarship. The scholarship was started about two years ago by Bott's family after he died. Bott was a science teacher at Warsaw Community High School. Wray said Bott was a "real hero" and a mentor. Asking for donations for the scholarship at the show is a "perfect match for what we wanted to do," said Wray.
"It's just a natural extension," said McCollom, of getting and keeping students interested in science.
Long after the demonstrations are over, McCollom said they'll still talk about them in the classroom.
"I've had former students I haven't seen for 14-15 years say how they enjoyed the science show," said Haeck. [[In-content Ad]]
Tornado of fire! Explosions! Fire, flaming bubbles and more!
While it sounds like the makings of an action-packed Hollywood movie, it's actually the Lakeview Middle School 16th Annual Science Show. The public is invited to see the science in action Thursday at 7 p.m. at LMS auditorium, East Smith Street, Warsaw.
"We blow up stuff," said LMS science teacher Dan Wray. "You hear us say that a lot."
He said the public show Thursday night will include about 15 to 16 scientific demonstrations. The show for the LMS students Friday will present approximately 25. The four LMS science teachers - Wray, Chad Hoffert, Roger Haeck and Mark McCollom - also will present a show to Warsaw sixth graders Thursday afternoon with about a dozen demonstrations.
The science show began about 17 years ago when Wray presented the science demonstrations to his class as a Christmas treat. Haeck asked him to show the demonstrations to his class after that winter break. The next year, Warsaw's middle school split into two middle schools and the science show was born. Last year marked the first year for the public science show.
The science show, Wray said, showcases the "demonstrations that are too big, too loud or too expensive to perform in a traditional classroom setting."
Each year, the science teachers try to keep the science show fresh. By demonstrating the science to sixth graders, some who may eventually be LMS students, Wray said they have to try and present a different show each year so the students won't see the same show two or three years in a row. Over the years, Wray said they've come up with 60 to 65 different demonstrations. Some are better than others. McCollom's tornado of fire stays in every year. Hoffert has "money to burn" each year.
With all the fire and explosions, safety measures are taken. Wray said they keep the demonstrations a safe distance between the audience and the stage. The more dangerous a demonstration, the further back on stage it is shown. The Warsaw Fire Department sends a truck and rescue crew to the demonstrations. The fire marshall OKs the demonstrations.
"The partnership with another agency in town is just a nice thing," Wray said of the WFD's support.
While the public science show is free, donations will be accepted for the Mike Bott Science Scholarship. The scholarship was started about two years ago by Bott's family after he died. Bott was a science teacher at Warsaw Community High School. Wray said Bott was a "real hero" and a mentor. Asking for donations for the scholarship at the show is a "perfect match for what we wanted to do," said Wray.
"It's just a natural extension," said McCollom, of getting and keeping students interested in science.
Long after the demonstrations are over, McCollom said they'll still talk about them in the classroom.
"I've had former students I haven't seen for 14-15 years say how they enjoyed the science show," said Haeck. [[In-content Ad]]