Gummy bears go airborne at Science Olympiad
Camas and Washougal students attend the event at Clark College
Helen Baller Elementary School third-graders Martin Knysh (left) and Sammy Burnett (right) have the launch distance of their gummy bear measured on Saturday during the Elementary Science Olympiad at Clark College. The “Gummy Bear Long Jump” was one of five competitive events held during the educational event, which was attended by nearly 300 students from schools around Clark County. Photo by Heather Acheson.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monty Scott, Amie Beld, and Hailey Vail huddle at one end of the circular table, hovering over the small, makeshift catapult constructed with a few pieces of wood and a plastic spoon that holds the tiny, chewy, sweet smelling gummy bear.
The Lacamas Heights Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders talk quickly, bouncing around ideas for how to launch the tiny treat so that it hits just the right spot on the target. They may not always agree, but that’s what science is all about: trial and error, until the desired result is accomplished.
One after another, they launch and measure. Launch and measure. On one of their first practice attempts, the spoon breaks. Back to the drawing board. The trio was among nearly 300 young scientists from schools around Clark County who gathered on Saturday morning at Clark College for the annual Elementary Science Olympiad.
