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Watson students present Arts and Science Expo
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Olivia Stoner created a diorama on the subject of seahorses. She shared that she learned many interesting facts about the sea animal.
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Dominic Hughes (left, on floor) and Krista Capito (to right) were so interested in the Fitch robot that they had to sneak a bit closer to take a look.
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Watson student Nick Foley smiled next to his diorama project that he entered into the Arts and Science Expo.
By SARAH FOOR
On April 13, Watson Elementary gave a temporary home to robots, dioramas and a model of the Great Canal in Venice, Italy. These seemingly unrelated things were all part of Watson’s Arts and Science Expo, which celebrated the work of students in both subjects.
Carolyn Senedak, the PTA chair of the event, helped plan the annual school celebration.
“I think that the arts and sciences are subjects that definitely do get lost behind others, when they are just as important to the students’ education,” Senedak observed. “Just putting up and organizing some of the projects involved in the expo has taught so much to me and my fellow PTA volunteers.”
The doors of the school were open to the public on April 13 to display the various art and science projects throughout every grade.
Art teacher Jen Houston and her students created a model of Venice, Italy, out of cardboard and paper mache and the project was displayed in the school’s front hall.
Third-grade scientists weighed pros and cons in a comparison project, and second-graders researched modern inventors.
First-graders like Olivia Stoner created dioramas of habitats. Stoner explored the ocean habitat of a sea horse.
“I learned a lot about sea horses through my project,” Stoner shared. “They’re on the protected animals list. I also know that two sea horses will mate for life, which is cool.”
The event also featured a demonstration from the Fitch Robotics Team, who brought its award-winning robot to the elementary school.
Ric Zimmerman, who leads the high school team, hoped the demonstration was inspiring for the Watson students.
“I hope our presentation can spark an interest to get started in robotics. Most robotics programs start during the seventh grade, which isn’t too far away for the students here at Watson.”