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Summer science is a lot of fun

Summer Splash Fest at Kump Education Center July 29 will be a full day of hands-on science activities. Three different “Magic of Science” presentations with John Red Banks and simulation games planned by Jane Birdsong will keep kids actively learning and thinking.

Science is not readily accessible for many American students because they are not familiar with scientific vocabulary and the metric system of measurment. It is true that kids can find almost anything online, but the motivation to look up scientific information may not arise in daily life for most kids. They need adults who will encourage them to engage in activities that make them think about how nature works and what caused things to happen.

“The Magic of Science” is a series of three shows physics teacher Mr. Banks designed to inspire the habit of inquiry in the minds of young learners. At 11:30 a.m. Mr. Banks will start with “Seeing is believing!” This show will involve disappearing glass, fantastic fire, elephant toothpaste, and a concave mirror. At 1:30 p.m. the show called “This will shock you!” will include electricity using a Van de Graaff generator, a plasma globe, and a Lenz’s law copper tube. The last magic show at 2:30 p.m. will be “Feeling the pressure!” Mr. Banks will use a bed of nails and other objects to show how pressure and force work.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Ms. Birdsong will lead interactive games creating situations that help kids experience how water works. She is planning a game called “Incredible Journey” where kids can follow the path of a rain drop. In another game called “Blue Planet” children will use an inflatable globe to learn how much of the earth’s surface is water. A third game called “A Drop in the Bucket” shows just how little of the water on earth is available to drink.

In the afternoon Matt Osborne’s “Slip N’ Slide” yard toy will offer children a cool chance to scoot down through the orchard. They will get wet and may want to wear swim suits or bring a change of clothes. Splashing and playing in the water is sure to feel good if the weather is as hot as it has been this July.

Logan Smith will start serving lunch at noon. Big Timber has made a special batch of Root Beer for the event, and Logan expects only the best beef when he shops for hamburger meat at Campbell’s Grocery in Beverly. Come enjoy Logan’s lunches before they are all gone.

Everyone is welcome at a Silent Auction in the historic Kump house. For those who have always wanted to see what is inside the old house across from Kroger, this is a chance to visit during the Kump Education Center Summer Splash Fest on July 29.

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