Elementary Seminar- December 1997

Mark Kinsler presented "Real-World Physics". He showed how to demonstrate physical properties using simple and inexpensive parts to build machines and devices. Al Cote presented the "Cookie Test" where teachers used their scientific knowledge to examine and determine the best cookie by its properties. Al also had the teachers do the "Egg Test" where our scienctists had to determine whether an egg was hard-boiled or not. On Friday the GEMS Workshop gave teachers a real hands-on study of mathematics.

Mark shows off the "cannon". He is pumping air pressure in the tube after preparing to fire the ball.

 

Fire One! Mark sparks the "cannon" and the ball is shot out the top.

 

Mark explains how a piston works using simple materials and at a low cost to build a model.

 

Let's talk about electricity! Mark explains how a light bulb works using electric power from a battery.

 

Now Mark creates an engine complete with power again from simple parts.

 

Todd Spence and Loretta Davis from Morgan County, Ohio examine the best cookie by making a simple scale to weigh each cookie on.

 

Christine Henderson and Cindy Himes from Adams County, Ohio test the best cookie.

 

Mark and Todd demonstrate what happens when electricity creates a magnet.

 

Mark recreates arc lights with carbon rods. These rods were used to light the old-fashioned street lights.