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Third graders from the Myles School visited the Hamilton College science department for a morning of science exploration.  Students witnessed and participated in presentations and experiments from all areas of science.  The goal of this program is to promote science curiosity and learning among children. This is the twelfth year that Myles students have visited the college.



Dry ice caused this balloon to become flat as a pancake. (Click image for larger version.)

Associate Professor of Chemistry Karen Brewer wowed Myles third graders with wild chemistry experiments.  Students witnessed bubbles bursting into flames, unburnable dollar bills and shrinking balloons.  The third graders learned how chemical reactions change the properties of a substance. The students' exploration of chemistry culminated in a hands-on experiment where each child created a vial of green goo.

   
 (Click image for larger version.)  (Click image for larger version.)

Professor of Psychology Douglas Weldon taught the students how the brain interprets images and colors. In one experiment, Weldon had students stare at a spinning black and white disk and then look at his head.  Depending on the direction the disk spun this optical illusion caused Weldon's head to shrink or to get bigger. Students were mesmerized by images that challenged and tricked the mind in this psychology presentation.

   
Bottle of seltzer water or exploding volcano?(Click image for larger version.) This rock floats?(Click image for larger version.)

Geology Professor Todd Rayne taught the third graders how gases cause molten rock from deep below the earth's surface to bubble up out of cracks in the earth.  Students also learned how different types of rocks are formed.  Many types of rocks are formed when volcanoes erupt. Students passed around a very porous stone formed by volcanoes, known as pumice stone.  Not only was this rock super lightweight, but to their amazement it floated. Geology Rocks!

   
 Snapping turtles are shy in the water, but very hostile on land. (Click image for larger version.) Students were given to opportunity to handle this docile corn snake. (Click image for larger version.)

Myles students got a hands-on reptile show in Biology Professor David Gapp's lab.  From painted turtles to boa constrictors, students explored different ways in which reptiles capture their prey and eat it. Brave students even got to pet the belly of a small alligator.  This biology presentation allowed students to examine reptiles up close and personal.

   
Jim Shreve talks about electricity. (Click image for larger version.) This brave boy takes the charge out of the "thunderstorm" they created. (Click image for larger version.)

Students explored electricity with Physics Technician Jim Shrevey as they witnessed a re-creation of Ben Franklin's experiment of the kite and the key in the thunderstorm.  They also learned about the positive and negative charges associated with electricity and the strength associated with different forms of electricity. The third graders came out of Shrevey's presentation all charged up about physics.

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