Spooky Science & Mystery Math

Some kids may be thinking of scary costumes or a seemingly endless supply of candy at the end of October, but what about spooky science and mystery math? NC State's education faculty and students shared their knowledge in a community event, Math and Science Night at Stough Elementary School on October 27.

Dr. Meg Blanchard, science education assistant professor, hosted three interactive science rooms, a dry ice room called "Spooky Ice", a “Google Earth” room, and "Pick a STEM Career" room, featuring students interviewing their friends on iPods as they pretended to have a STEM career and read their acting lines off a cue prompter. Meredith Kier and Vanessa Stevens, graduate students, and Matt Gromlich, an undergraduate, as well as Wake County students Ben and Emerson Blanchard and their dad, Jon, facilitated student learning in those rooms.

Dr. Gail Jones, professor in science education hosted a nanoscience room called "Tiny Science" with colleague Dr. Sarah Carrier, an elementary science education assistant professor, and the help of Kayla Poland, undergraduate student and Gina Childers, graduate student. Math Education undergraduates, Carla Hutchins, Jasmine Frantz, and Taylor Harrison, and Mayra Navarro from NCTM hosted a "Marshmallow Madness" room, under the direction of Dr. Allison McCulluch, math education assistant professor, where guests could explore and create 3-dimensional figures using marshmallows.

"We were so impressed with the wonderful turn-out of parents and students for Math & Science Night!”said Blanchard. " It's a chance for faculty and students in the College of Education to make a contribution to the community, and it was such fun to have the Halloween theme this year.”

Over 150 parents, students and teachers attended the event that brought together not only the NC State community, but Mad Science of the Triangle, Wonder Full Science, Raleigh Parks and Recreation and the parents and staff of Stough Elementary.