Young Scientists Explore at Washington Discovery Day

Sunday may have been about the San Francisco Giants for some Burlingame and Hillsborough residents, but for students at Washington Elementary School, the day was all about science.

Sunday marked the school’s fourth annual Discovery Day, an interactive science event sponsored by the Washington Elementary Dad’s Club and school staff.

Students participated in hands-on experiments and demonstrations, including watching a human head shrink and expand, smoke rings the size of car tires and a stream of elephant toothpaste.

“Discover Day originated from parental aspiration to get Washington students excited and interested in science,” said District Science Coordinator Brennan Brockbank. “By exposing children to science and technology in a very hands-on, stimulating way we hope to inspire the kids to experiment, engage and develop a natural scientific curiosity.”

Kids learned about optical illusions, chemistry and physical forces during a show featuring Boom the mad-scientist, who engaged the students and their parents in the experiments.

Students then visited science experiment stations, crushing watermelons using only rubber bands and creating static electricity. They built catapults, simulated wind turbines, bike-powered art and more.

“The most important thing is that the kids have a blast and see and do something they’ve never experienced inside or outside the classroom,” Brockbank said.

The event culminated with the release of 200 helium balloons, each tagged with the name of a child or parent and a number, which are being tracked on a grid. Those who find a balloon should visit WashDads.com and log where the balloon and tag was found, as students hope to discover which balloon went the farthest.

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