Looking into new worlds
Abby Holcombe, right, a freshman biology major from Pickens, shows an eighth-grader one of the microscopes in the biology lab during a science fair held March 25 at Southern Wesleyan University in Central.
Youngsters show science smarts
Dr. Jim Schmutz, center, retired Southern Wesleyan University chemistry professor and Brad Medlin, right, of Oconee Nuclear Station evaluate an experiment of a middle school student during a science fair held March 25 at the university in Central.
The student’s project explored whether boys or girls have the best memory.
Young scientists gather at Southern Wesleyan
Area youngsters immersed themselves into the world of science during a science fair March 25 at Southern Wesleyan University.
Southern Wesleyan hosted home-schooled students from the fifth through eighth grades. Also on hand was a group of students from R.C. Edwards Middle School. Nearly 50 students were involved in the fair, according to Dr. Walt Sinnamon, dean of the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to the experiments, the youngsters got some hands-on experience in the science labs, assisted by Southern Wesleyan science majors.
Coordinated by Dr. Paul Jordan, professor of computer science, and Dr. Susan Rouse, professor of biology, the science fair enlisted members of Southern Wesleyan’s science faculty, science students and Duke Energy employees. In addition to providing their employees as judges, Duke Energy donated $1,000 in support of the event. Chick-fil-A of Clemson and Seneca also helped with food for lunch after the fair.
“The donation from Duke has allowed us to do much more with the fair this year,” Sinnamon said. “I am very proud of our science division majors who helped in numerous ways before, during and after the science fair. Parents of participants have had very positive things to say about our students.”
Sinnamon hopes that the science fairs will expand each year and that a number of the participants will someday be Southern Wesleyan students and ultimately graduates, whether in the science division or in another major.