Approximately 180 young scientists will use creative and critical thinking skills as they expire scientifically-based activities coordinated by Lewis Cass Intermediate School District on Tuesday, March 6, at Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac campus.
The young scientists will be third, fourth and fifth grade students from Cassopolis, Dowagiac and Edwardsburg schools.
Teachers have planned and designed the day of experiments for their students with the assistance of Brian Wood, Lewis Cass ISD instructional services director.
Planners use a modified national Science Olympiad model to structure the day.
There will be upward of a dozen different science activities in which students can participate.
Activities generally are designed as hands-on team events.
Students are scheduled into life science, earth science and physical/chemical science sessions.
Alternating with lunch activities, students and adults will have an opportunity to participate in special presentations by Michigan State University Science Theater.
LCISD receives much assistance with the day’s programming.
Working this year with Wood are: John Bradke and Felomina Patton of Cassopolis Public Schools; Karen Ennesser and Steve Veldman of Dowagiac Union Schools; and Dori Hughes, Dawn Alabaugh, Kelly Sutton and Cindy Vernon of Edwardsburg Public Schools.
Tom Caskey from the SMC Science Museum will also be a presenter.
This is the 19th year an elementary Science Olympiad has been conducted for Cass County students.
The goal is to allow students an opportunity to explore “hands-on” science learning and to reward students’ interest and ability in science.