HES Science Fair Releases Students' 'Inner Scientist'

Hillsborough Elementary School's annual science fair, held April 26, gave students a chance to have fun with science—while discovering their inner scientists.

The event was supported by Pizza Hut, Earth Fruits Yogurts and Staples, all community retailers who donated items toward the event, as well as funds raised by Hillsborough Elementary School’s Home/School Association.

The HSA is comprised of a team of school representatives, including Principal Michael Volpe and dedicated teachers and parents, with the goal of providing enrichment programs that complement in-school learning. 

The annual science fair is an opportunity for the students to have fun outside classroom time while learning through self exploration, which supplements the school’s science curriculum. 

The HES Science Fair was a fun-filled evening with over 140 students who had the chance to display, demonstrate and present to reviewers the work that they have been piecing together for the past two months.  Projects included weather-related projects such as how Tsunamis and tornadoes form, the affects of cholesterol on the heart, how the tongue can taste the differences in colas, how underwater robots work, the water cycle, the principles of convection, and so much more. 

Students also had the opportunity to visit hands-on stations, which they could touch, feel and experience.  Some of these stations were provided by Mad Science of West New Jersey while others were developed by our very own “in-house” HES scientists. 

The big hit of the evening among students was the hovercraft, on which they had the chance to take a ride. 

Lastly, there was a special hands-on experience operated by community scientist and HES parent, Amy Soli, PhD, science director of the Stonybrook Millstone Watershed Association, whose goal is to improve the health and quality of central New Jersey’s water and sustain a network of protected habitats for wildlife and people through conservation, advocacy, science, and education.  This hand-on station was called the fish passage raceway and was designed to teach the students (and the public) about the importance of caring for and protecting the natural world.  This specific exhibit highlighted the Stony Brook Millstone WaterShed Assocation’s work to remove two dams on the Millstone River to restore migratory fish passage and eliminate hazardous structures.

At the Science Fair, HES Principal Michael Volpe and HES teachers served as reviewers for the science projects.  In addition, Kim Feltre, Hillsborough School District Science Director, came to support the program and also served as a science reviewer.  When asked why having a science fair is important, Feltre said, “A science fair provides an opportunity for the students to extend and expand upon concepts learned in school and/or explore topics of interest outside of the curriculum. It also provides an opportunity for siblings or friends to collaborate on science experiments and learn from one another.  Finally, the (student) presentations to a reviewer and the community allows students to practice their communication skills, as they convey their knowledge to those who visit their exhibit.” 

As stated by Tom Brokow in “The Times of Our Lives: A Conversation About America, “In China it is mandatory for all junior high students to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In the U.S., only 18 percent of high school students take those courses. Where have the most exciting and beneficial developments in our life come from in the last quarter century?  From science, right, from computer mavens and biomedical wizards, from energy engineers and environmental biologists. The evidence is all around us, and success is not limited to the rock stars of the world…Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg or the Google boys, Sergy Brin and Larry Page.” 

From scientists, one whom worked on the MARS projects, to actors and professional athletes, Hillsborough continues to develop students into successful productive members of our community and our country. 

“Success in life requires scores of building block along the way!" Science Fair Committee Chairwoman Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller said. "Although one minor event in a child’s life, the HES Science Fair serves as one of the countless learning building blocks, which helps leads to that goal.

"The fair encouraged our kids to: tease their curiosity, foster their creativity, promote self-exploration and experience a great sense of accomplishment for the purpose of increasing their knowledge and building their confidence," she added. "When a child is confident, they can do virtually anything!”