Science floats first-graders' boats

Kids can learn about buoyancy using just a few items.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- When pupils in the first-grade class at Alden Elementary are told to go float a boat, they now know what to do.
They learned the basic science of energy and movement Wednesday during the second annual Raingutter Regatta at the school.
The 44 pupils in the classrooms of teachers Laura Janus and Michelle Williams were able to take what they had learned about science this year and apply it to the water-filled gutters.
"She's really been excited," the Rev. Ray Allen, pastor of Greene Community Church in North Bloomfield, said of granddaughter Shaelly Allen, 7.
He was among the fathers and grandfathers who helped out with the boat construction and decorating.
With a 500 grant from First Energy, the teachers bought Boy Scout kits to build the tiny vessels. They got the idea of the regatta from the scouting program.
Intense
The children were intense as they worked to put together their boats made of wood, a stick for the mast and paper sail. They decorated them with felt-tipped markers and stickers.
The room stayed fairly quiet. But when the kids broke into groups and started the regatta, the excitement of their high-pitched voices filled the room.
While some of them sailed in the gutters, blowing on the sails to power their boats, others read or were read children's books about pirates. Others learned about buoyancy while waiting their turn.
To learn about buoyancy, the children put half of a plastic egg on the water and filled it with pennies, dimes and nickels to determine how many of the various coins it took before the eggs sunk.
Fathers' participation
Al Smith of Linda Drive sat on the floor reading to his two daughters, Shardae, 7, and Aalyah, 4.
"She made sure dad was coming," Smith said of Shardae as she waited to float her boat.
"She wants to be a winner, not a loser," Smith said.
The Rev. Mr. Allen said he forgot he was supposed to be at the 240-pupil school Wednesday, but was reminded by his wife of his obligation.
"You do what you're supposed to do," Mr. Allen said.
Michael Stambozia of Union Street waited for his turn to sail with his son, Jaden, 6.
"He kept telling me we've got to build a boat," he said. His son told him to make sure he was at the school, too.
"It's a good learning experience," said Robert Cayson Jr. of Harvard Drive, who was helping his son Robert III, 7.
Cayson wants to see his child graduate from high school and college. Cayson hadn't done either, although he has a GED.
Scott Williams is the husband of teacher Michelle Williams. The couple lives with their daughter at their Bazetta Township home. Their daughter, Rebecca, 6, attends Alden.
"She was excited about it," Williams said of her daughter.
He was able to attend the regatta and lend a hand to his daughter because he works at Drake Manufacturing Services Co. Inc. in Champion Township. Williams said the company allows employees to take time off for such functions. It has also adopted Alden, providing the school with its old computers and printers.