Kids learn universal skills through scientific activities
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/10/2008
Jacob Shreve
Fifth and Sixth graders test their water powered rockets, one of many events at Purdue's Space Day
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Purdue Space Day gave children the opportunity to learn lifelong lessons and skills for a future in math and science.
The children participated in an array of activities including designing solar cars, building water rockets and a fog filter and conducting an egg drop from the third floor of the Physics building. Tim Duquette, a senior in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said while the activities prepare kids for a future in aeronautics and astronautics, the lessons are also applicable to other fields.
"The activities provide lifelong learning tools which cannot always be found in the classroom," Duquette said. "We give the children a chance to use their own minds instead of being told what and how to do it. They learn the skills of problem solving and teamwork, and it is always fun for us as well as them to see the results of their work."
The annual Purdue Space Day is a way to get children excited for aeronautical and astronautical engineering. David Cronin, a sophomore in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and head of mission control at Purdue Space Day, said children have fun while learning about math and science.
"The children are expected to get excited while learning," said Cronin. "They learn to work together in getting tasks done as well as learning more about space and engineering."
The day isn't only about the children, though, as many parents come to join the fun. Kathy Riffert and Amanda Rowe were among the many adults trying to keep up with groups of children. They said Purdue Space Day was a great experience and an opportunity to expose the children to concepts outside of the classroom.
"We need to take advantage of living this close to Purdue," said Rowe. "Otherwise, the children wouldn't have experienced something like this."