LEEDS — Without explaining, Leeds Central School Principal Danielle Harris called everyone to the gym Thursday.
“I have some wonderful news,” she said. Two shirt-and-tie guests stood near, holding something covered with brown paper.
The eyes and smiles of teacher Sheila Lyman’s students widened. They knew.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” engineer Bob Chaput of S.W. Cole Engineering of Bangor said. Standing next to him was Cole scientist David Dunning.
Last year, the company put together a contest asking students to send it a video explaining how science and technology affect everyday lives.
They received entries from 46 classes in Maine and New Hampshire. Judging was difficult, Dunning said.
Chaput asked Lyman to come forward.
Students started clapping and cheering as the scientist and engineer gave her an oversized replica of a check for $1,000.
As students continued to celebrate, Dunning said the class was going to the Maine Engineering Expo at the University of Maine in Orono in March.
“It’s like a super science fair,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. You’re going to get your hands dirty (with hands-on activities).”
In the winning video made by the blended class of fourth- and fifth-graders, students pretended they were reporters describing how technology and science affect lives.
In one scene, students were asked about technology as they worked on their laptops and iPods. From there, the reporting went to the University of Maine in Orono, where “reporters” interviewed “scientists” working on offshore wind turbines. In another segment, students reported how technology helped create military shelters to keep soldiers safe in war.
What makes their video so good is that the Leeds students give specific examples of how science and technology improves lives, Chaput said. “They dressed the part very well. They were quite enthusiastic.”
“It was pretty neat,” Dunning agreed. In the video students asked, and answered, the right questions, he said.
The engineering firm hopes to make the contest an annual event to promote the fields of science and technology.
“If we can get at kids at this age, they will be more likely to do something in high school or college,” Dunning said. “At this age there’s no limit to what they can do. They’re like sponges.”
Lyman said her students, ages 9 to 11, submitted their entry in early November. They’ve been eager to find out whether they won.
By competing in the “Dig Into Science” contest, students made real-world connections with science, Lyman said. “It got them thinking about new technology and how it can make a difference for people. It takes a book lesson to real life.”
Kristin Jordan, 10, said she learned how engineers create and use what she called “a bridge in a bag,” temporary, portable bridges. “They use University of Maine hockey bags to put the bridge in; they fold it up.”
Allen Peabody, 9, and Cole Melanson, 10, learned about offshore wind turbines.
“There’s only one offshore wind turbine in the whole entire world in the ocean right now,” Cole said.
“Some people don’t think it’s going to be a good idea to put them out there,” Allen said.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Cole said
Lyman said she and her class were thrilled with the win.
Kristin said she’s looking forward to attending the technology expo at the University of Maine. “That’s where my sister goes, actually.”
Leeds Central School fourth and fifth graders in Sheila Lyman’s class made a video showing how science and technology affect everyday life. The video won a “Dig Into Science” contest offered by S.W. Cole Engineering Inc.
To see the video, go to:
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