Louisa Boren STEM K-8 held a Project Based Learning Science Extravaganza on May 19, exhibiting an amazing array of innovative inventions that displayed K - 6th grade student knowledge of science, engineering, mathematics and techololgy well beyond their years. Students from Kindergarten to the 8th grade showed off their work on topics like Exploring Force and Motion, Space Exploration, Plants and Animals, Fairies and Gnomes (a model community), How organisms adapt, Plant and Salmon lifecycles, Cause and Effect, The Scientific Method, created an Eco-Mural, and range of applied science exhibits.

The biggest exhibit was a fully functional wind tunnel built in partnership with Seattle-based engineering firm McKinstry to further the school’s engineering curriculum.

Measuring 24 feet long and 20 inches in diameter, the wind tunnel will be used by students to test their model tower cranes—like the kinds dotting Seattle’s skyline—for architectural and structural integrity.

This year the wind tunnel has already helped students simulate the effects of hurricane conditions on typical dwellings. Next year, the wind tunnel will be used to teach the fundamentals of testing and balancing a building’s mechanical systems (HVAC). It will also be used to model the physics of air motion, as well as kinetic and mechanical energy transformations.

Two sixth-grade girls Carmen and Erin—who are also members of the school’s aeronautical engineering club—came up with the idea for the wind tunnel as a way to test shapes in moving air. They asked teacher Craig Parsley to make it happen. Parsley, with 20 years of engineering experience, drafted a design concept and presented it to engineers at McKinstry. In partnership with the school, McKinstry offered to construct the wind tunnel free of charge. McKinstry also teamed up with local supplier Dorse to provide many of the materials.

The wind tunnel arrived at the school in pieces. With the help of Parsley, students assembled it and helped wire the power and controls.

The science fair also showed off exhibits such as:

A Crane Tower Safety exhibit created by Jonathan and Alex, which compared different structural styles to determine which as the most earthquake resistant. The most resistant, proved to be a slightly pyramidal form that was then used as the basis for a 13 foot version built outside and being used for a weather station.

Cleat Cut Solutions which presented a solution for all players of sports where cleat can cause cuts. They created a Kevlar® lined sock that prevents cleats from penetrating the fabric to break the skin.

Aya showed off her Earthquake Machine which was a table made to move to test building stability.

Amy and Catherine demonstrated concrete corrosion.

A Forward Deployed Mars Lander Deceleration exhibit showed space exploration technology.

Growing food from seeds and food scraps was on display.

The top five will be chosen by judges and put on display at the Boeing Museum of Flight.