Family Science Night shares joys of learning

From the outer reaches of the universe to the inner workings of a dog, local students explored the broad scope of discoveries science has to offer during last week’s Ronan Family Science Night.

Exhibits ranging from seed planting to robot building filled the K. William Harvey School hallways, as did enthusiastic “oohs” and “ahhs” from the packed crowd.

One of the most enthralling booths featured the internal organs of third-grade teacher Matt Detwiler’s dog Ali.

Using an ultrasound machine, Detwiler’s veterinarian father Kevin Detwiler showed onlookers the heartbeat and pulse of the patient pooch.

Detwiler said he has participated in science night for more than five years. While initially performing physics experiments, Detwiler recently switched to a more interactive approach.

“This is more fun,” he said.

While some students took a passing interest in the canine’s anatomy, others offered their undivided attention.

Detwiler said this opportunity to sample different fields is key to spurring interest in children.

“It gives them a smattering of everything,” he said. “You’d be surprised at what sticks.”

A neighboring exhibit hosted by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society employed a large water tank full of different types of sand and rocks to demonstrate the principles of stream flow.

Another took a literal hands-on technique.

Members of Ronan High School’s certified nursing assistant class taught students the science of checking vital signs, including pricking fingers to measure blood sugar. The high school students were professional enough to even coax a few of the elementary counterparts to volunteer as test subjects.

“Somehow they were able to talk them into it,” class instructor Lorraine Frost said. “They must have said something right.”

Despite the variety of booths, certain subjects nevertheless reigned supreme.

Marcy Mead, a student at Salish Kootenai College, manned a station describing the importance of restoring native pollinating insects to the region. The table next to her, however, asked the children to name different types of animal skulls, prompting a bit of reflection on the reality of science night.

“The skulls seem to be a little more interesting than the bees,” Mead said.