Visitors Jump into an Intergalactic World of Science

May 15, 2019 0 Comments

Is space the final frontier? Dominican students and perspective students explored the frontier of science and space at DominiScience Saturday on Mar. 30.

Scientific Solutions – Elementary students gather around the lab table with junior Mia Nguyen to discuss their geobat project at DominiScience Saturday. In March, girls from schools all over the New Orleans area came together to collaborate on science projects in this annual event in the Gayle and Tom Benson Science & Technology Center.

Performing experiments alongside Dominican faculty and students, elementary students from fourth to sixth grade attended the spaced-themed DominiScience Saturday. The DHS Robotics Team and science department teachers helped young visitors shine as bright as the sun while furthering their knowledge and education in STREAMTM.

Dominican students and prospective DominiScientists gathered in the Gayle and Tom Benson Science and Technology Center to enjoy galactic experiments such as finding the Polaris North Star, creating a star finder, making luminaries, building lunar finders, and flying geobats, otherwise known as UFO paper airplanes.

Favorite activities included building lunar landers and making luminaries. The girls constructed lunar landers out of straws, plates and other supplies. Then they tested to make sure their “astronauts,” represented by marshmallows, would survive the trip. The landers were dropped from the lab tables, and if the marshmallows stayed in the lunar lander, it was a successful landing.

The purpose of DominiScience Saturday is to incorporate STREAMTM into prospective student events. Mrs. Giacona, moderator of the Robotics Club, enjoys sharing her love of science with prospective students. Mrs. Giacona wants to “encourage the next generation of Dominican students to be interested in science” in preparation for high school.

Senior Kelly Jackson shares her love of science with one of the many visitors attending DominiScience Saturday. This annual event, held in March in the Gayle and Tom Benson Science & Technology Center, promotes an excitement for science, technology, engineering and math in elementary school girls.

Seniors Kelly Jackson and Indya Taylor helped the future Domini-Scientists with their experiments. “My favorite part was watching the young girls get excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Jackson.

Agreeing with Jackson, Taylor enjoyed spending time with the youngsters while expanding her knowledge of science.

Sophomore Audrey Wild also helped the girls with their experiments. “These girls may be the next generation of scientists. They will make the big scientific discoveries that will expand our knowledge of the world,” said Wild.

“I want these girls to know that they are amazing,” said Mrs. Giacona, “and they can do anything they set their minds to.”

  • Macie LaFonta

CategoriesNews