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Math and Science Festival a hit with area students

Corgan Bennett, a second grade student at Jeff Davis Primary School, watches his balloon continue to blow up as a result of a combination of baking soda and vinegar.  Bennett took part in the biennial Math and Science Festival Nov. 11 held on the Mount Vernon campus of Brewton-Parker College.  (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

By Taylor Hereford

Director of Marketing

MOUNT VERNON – One hundred and thirty-four K-12 students, visiting teachers, and parents took part in 44 different experiments and demonstrations this past Saturday on Brewton-Parker College’s Mount Vernon campus during the ninth annual Math and Science Festival.  The event was sponsored by the Heart of Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center and BPC’s Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Division of Education.

Tiffany Hall, a second grade student at Jeff Davis Primary School, waits for her “Ice Cream in a Bag” during the biennial Math and Science Festival Nov. 11 held on the Mount Vernon campus of Brewton-Parker College.  (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

“The day went extremely well,” said Dr. David McMillin, chair of BPC’s Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.  “For the first time, we had two bus loads of students come to participate.  That is a sign that this event is definitely growing and gaining popularity with area students.”

Thirty-five of the 44 experiments and demonstrations were developed and executed by BPC students as a part of active student learning.  The experiments and demonstrations covered a wide range of age and skill levels.  Among the most popular was the “Coca-Cola Geyser”, which erupted after students dropped Mentos candy into bottles filled with Coca-Cola.  Other experiments and demonstrations included making ice cream in a bag, blowing up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar, making “Gak”, and various mathematics games.

According to Dr. McMillin, the “Coca-Cola Geyser” was so popular it piqued the interest of students who may not have had any interest in science.

“One teacher stopped me to say that the geyser helped generate interest with a student who otherwise has not had any interest in science,” said Dr. McMillin.  “To know that one of our experiments had that kind of effect on a student is very gratifying.”

The biennial festival is held once a semester on BPC’s Mount Vernon campus.  The spring festival will be announced at a later date and will be posted on BPC’s web site, www.bpc.edu.

Dylan Coursey, an eighth grade student at Robert Toombs Christian Academy, finishes making “gak” during the biennial Math and Science Festival Nov. 11 held on the Mount Vernon campus of Brewton-Parker College.  (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

Students quickly get out of the way of a “Coca-Cola Geyser” during the biennial Math and Science Festival Nov. 11 held on the Mount Vernon campus of Brewton-Parker College.  The geyser erupted after dropping Mentos candy into the bottle of Diet Coke.  (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

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