Third graders put 'Energy in Motion' for Science Fair

PORT CLINTON - The third grade science fair at Bataan Intermediate is back in motion in more ways than one.

For the first time in many years, the science fair returned and kicked things off with the theme of “Energy in Motion.”

Teachers Mike Ferdinandsen and Abbey Fry helped organized the event after sharing the idea of reviving an intermediate-level science fair. They approached Principal Geoff Halsey, who was enthusiastic about bringing it back.

“Right now, we’re studying energy in our science classes,” Ferdinandsen said. “What better way to get them to enjoy energy and get involved than to do these hands-on projects?”

The third grade class showcased its projects to parents, relatives, community members and students from other grades at Bataan, who were genuinely engaged and eager to learn how they worked.

“This is homework that the parents enjoy helping their kids with,” Halsey said.

Third grader Emily Boykin found with her project that with more blades on her wind turbines, more energy was being generated.

“Since it has more, it catches more air and it goes faster,” Boykin said. “The faster it goes, it lets in more energy.”

She had a fan with three blades and a fan with six, each connected to a small light. The one with more lit up faster and brighter every time.

Third grader Ian Schurdell’s project was the only one at the fair that harnessed the power of steam. He used a leaking boiler from an old small model steam engine.

After the leak was fixed with solder, it was able to hold enough pressure when the water was brought to a boil to power a pinwheel.

Third grader Grace Fleenor converted a fan motor from an old computer into a wind-powered generator for the lighthouse in a project built from scratch.

Ferdinandsen said the plan for next year will be to hopefully have the fourth and fifth grades join along with third and make it into a science fair night.

“You’re going to see us doing a lot more of this stuff,” Halsey said.

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