Hillcrest, OCCHS students share a special chemistry

The Messenger 11.17.10

Hillcrest Elementary School fourth-graders were recently treated to a chemistry show hosted by Obion County Central High School’s third-block Chemistry II class.
The fourth-graders in the classes of teachers Stacy Arnett, Courtney Gantt and Stephanie Traverse were welcomed by Elissa Hebert, Leah Howard and Aleah Taylor, who served as their hostesses.
Guests from Hillcrest learned about chemical properties, density, flammability, polymers, pressure, static electricity and lab safety.
Flammability of compounds was demonstrated by Alex Anton, Elizabeth Cook and Mika Walley, who illustrated how money could not be burned with fire. Chemical properties of elements were demonstrated with flame tests by Zack Donnell, Dillion Hamil and Mason McGrew to explain that all elements have specific chemical properties that distinguish them from each other.
These students also illustrated lab safety with a specific focus on why not to eat or drink in lab.
Density was illustrated by Amber Gardiner, Jordan Smith and Josh VanValkenburg, who demonstrated how to float bubbles. Tabitha Brown, Lauren Jones and Audrey McGarity created lava lamps. Tanner Cary, Trevor Clouse and Stratton Moore explained how a bowling ball could float.
Properties of polymers were observed with the creation of slime by Dalton Gooch, Miguel Mendez and Trey Phipps and silly putty by Leah Farrar, Shay Lane and Brittany Moore.
The trio of girls also illustrated how temperature and pressure are related by allowing an egg to be drawn into a much smaller container.
Water was bent to explain the properties of static electricity by Christopher Douglas, Dalton Lewis and Rad McDavid. These students also used a Van de Graff generator to illustrate lightning, which allowed the Hillcrest students to feel the effects of static electricity.
The chemistry show proved to be a great success, according to OCCHS chemistry and science teacher Denise Mathis. She said the OCCHS Chemistry II first-block class looked forward to hosting Lake Road Elementary School students recently, too, and more chemistry shows will be added in the spring to accommodate Black Oak and Ridgemont elementary schools.
Ms. Mathis expressed special appreciation to OCCHS principal Linda Crigger and Hillcrest principal Melinda McCullough for allowing the schools to work together.

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