Science fair delivers knowledge, fun for youth
TVCC hosted weekend event
Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:24 AM PDT
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| Robert Collier, professor of marine geochemistry, explains some of the items at his table to Lydia (center) and Melissa Espinoza, Nyssa, during the Family Oceans Science Fair, held Saturday in the Treasure Valley Community College gym. |
Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
ONTARIO
Malheur County is a long way from the ocean, but local children and their parents secured the opportunity Saturday to learn about the sea without leaving the area as two professors from Oregon State University and some helpers delivered a special presentation.
Robert Collier, professor of marine geochemistry and Marta Torres, professor of oceanography provided their Family Oceans Science Fair at the Treasure Valley Community College gymnasium Saturday morning. The fair featured various aspects of the ocean from water to geology and what lives in the ocean. Topics included ocean drilling, sedimentation, water density and micro-organisms.
Besides having graduate students along to assist in the program, students in Nyssa High School’s SMILE program (Science, Math, Investigative Learning Experience) helped staff some of the tables and explain exhibits and helped fair-goers through the activities.
Torres said the purpose of the fair was to get people excited about the oceans and teach basic science — “Everything to do with science,” she said. The highlight of the program was a live link-up with the staff on the university’s research vessel out on the Pacific Ocean, situated Saturday morning about half-way between California and Hawaii. Fair participants had the opportunity to hear researchers report about what they were doing and ask questions. The view of the staff was projected on a screen, and young students in the audience were wowed by a picture of whale shark shown by one of the researchers. During the hour-long link, ship staff went in and out of the room as they continued their work.
“We work with Adult Education in Science,” Torres said, who said she works with Collier in conducting programs. They have been doing seminars for adults regularly, she said, but they decided to bring their ocean science directly to the children as well. “This is our first time to do this,” Torres said. She hopes it will have been successful enough to get more funding. The event was organized with the help of Adult Education Department at TVCC and Nancy Taylor, AmeriCorps Vista worker. Besides OSU and TVCC, sponsors included Worksource Oregon, the SMILE program, Sea Grant Oregon, Deep Earth Academy, Consortium for Ocean Leadership and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
