AFCEC brings science to life for kindergarten students

  • Published
  • By Jess Echerri
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A group of potential scientists gained insight into the kind of experiments researchers here at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center conduct every day.

Bruce Salter and Shelle McDonald, AFCEC research scientists, visited North Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City, Florida, for the kindergarten classrooms' Science Day May 27. The scientists performed a series of demonstrations and experiments to introduce basic concepts of physical science to the students.

Using liquid nitrogen, Salter and McDonald made soft objects, such as marshmallows and rubber balls, rock solid. To demonstrate the change in properties, Salter used a wooden hammer to shatter a frozen ball into pieces.

Students were encouraged to participate during the presentation by naming the characteristics of objects before and after the chemical reaction. A marshmallow could be described as "soft" and "squishy" in its natural state, and then called "hard" and "brittle" after being submerged in liquid nitrogen.

"I like to hear the kids' questions and responses," McDonald said. "You can really see their minds thinking."

The scientists aimed to demonstrate science in a visually dramatic way. Allowing the children to see how chemistry makes changes in matter occur may spark an interest for them to pursue the sciences further, Salter said.

"It's our responsibility to train the next generation of scientists," Salter added.

In addition to exciting displays of science, Salter and McDonald showed how chemistry can be applied to solve real-world problems. For example, AFCEC scientists in the requirements and acquisition division's materials lab collaborated with other Department of Defense and private institutions to develop multifunctional, next-generation battle dress uniforms that can repel various liquids and neutralize chemical warfare agents. This integrative protective fabric system also gives garments antimicrobial properties to decontaminate biological agents used against Airmen and improve overall hygiene.

To demonstrate the technology for students, McDonald dropped water and hydraulic oil on both untreated and treated fabric swatches to demonstrate how the technology works. The children saw that the untreated fabric stained while the liquid just rolled off the treated fabric.

"It's real-world experience for these kids," said Kelly Allan, a North Bay Haven Charter Academy kindergarten teacher. "It gets them excited about thinking and science. It plants the seed now so they will continue to grow as future thinkers."

Salter and McDonald visited NBHCA as part of AFCEC's science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, program. The program provides support for math and science to local schools to encourage academic growth in those areas.