Balloons inflate students' notions of science

This was not a sixth grade mutiny; it was a lesson in physics.

Gay Kendall, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of nuclear engineering and physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy brought two of her students to the classroom to discuss static electricity. The students, Robert Wise and Neil Hawkes, are seniors in RPI's engineering science and nuclear engineering program for Navy personnel.

Science apostles

"We want talented scientists," she said. "There is a demand for scientists. Coming into the classroom lets kids know this is a career option for them."

Dr. Kendall's outreach into schools utilizes "found materials" like balloons, salt, pepper, cereal and paper. With these common items, the students at St. Brigid's were able to learn about static electricity, atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons.

Students shouted with delight as shreds of paper "danced" when a balloon was waved over the paper. They were amazed as the RPI students were able to separate salt and pepper with a balloon and were able to make crisp rice cereal stand on end with the help of the balloon.

Stereotypes

Growing up, Dr. Kendall did not think a career in science was open to her.

"My dad was an engineer," she said. "I didn't think being an engineer was an option for me. It was for my brother, but not me. When I was in school and they had people come in to talk about careers, the women who came in were nurses and teachers."

Dr. Kendall wants all children to know they can aspire to a life in science. "We need more women and minorities," she said. "Right now, I don't have any female students."

Mrs. Murtagh had her students draw pictures of what a nuclear engineer would look like prior to Dr. Kendall's visit. While there were several drawings of white males, there was more diversity. "It's so encouraging that they drew women," Dr. Kendall said. "It's amazing. It says times are changing."

'Cool' visitors

Jenna enjoyed the science activities. "I think it's kind of cool," she said. "It's fun."

According to Mrs. Murtagh, hands-on science activities are more than just fun. "They'll remember more if they experience it themselves," she said.

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