Scientific Discoveries on Display at IDS

For immediate release:
February 18, 2003
Tampa, FL

Which brand of oxygen-based cleaner has the real power? What natural fabric is most resistant to fire? Is wind energy harvestable in Tampa?
These are just a few of the questions investigated by Independent Day School - Corbett Campus' budding scientists who participated in the school's annual Science Fair this January. During a six- to eight-week period, kindergarten through fifth grade students tested different hypotheses using the scientific method, and shared their findings with creative displays detailing procedures, variables and materials used and data collected. Background papers summarized current scientific information related to the experiment's topic. Teachers advised and coached students through each phase of their projects.

Pre-kindergarten through second grade teachers used class projects to show their students the scientific process of study while intermediate students selected their own subjects for individual or group study. Middle school students that had an interest in the fair also elected to participate.

Fifth grade student Michele Vernick noted, "Doing my project with my partner taught me that sometimes you have to do things two or three times before you get it right."

It's all part of IDS' positive classroom environment where hands-on learning is emphasized and students are encouraged to take an active role in their education and make significant connections between schoolwork and "real life." In the end, students were asked what they learned and how they might design their projects differently next time.

"Doing a science fair project was hard, but it was worth it because I'm proud of what I accomplished and I believe doing a hands-on experiment makes it easier to learn," said fifth grader Lisa Hernandez.

Several students were selected by judges from USF and St. Petersburg College to compete in the Hillsborough County Science Fair in February. Those advancing were fifth graders A.J. Rivera, Adam Lerner, Hannah Goering, Rachel Klausner, Marissa Angell, Will Chorvat, Ian Stanley, Ben Lagos, Anthony Ferlita and fourth graders Derek Schocken, Richard Livernois, Mari Ostrenko, Elyssa Edelman, Allyson Moore and Katie Rocco.

Middle school science teacher Gery Morey says, "The Science Fair offers students a wonderful opportunity to discover how a scientist works as they research and test a topic in science. This process helps students develop logical thinking skills as well as how to work through the scientific method. Designing a board to display their data and conclusions is fun and the entire process is extremely rewarding."

So, in the end, what were the students' findings from the three experiments mentioned above? Respectively: Shout Oxy-Power, silk, and no.
Founded in 1968, IDS, recently renamed Independent Day School-Corbett Campus, is a fully accredited, nonsectarian, independent school located in northwest Hillsborough County. It serves 500 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with over 900 visitors observing and learning from and with IDS-CC teachers.


Contact: Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman, Head of Independent Day School-Corbett Campus
Telephone: (813) 961-3087