Young scientists create excitement at St. Patrick fair

February 18, 2016 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Alice Morris used her ingenuity to make a balloon hovercraft. Photos courtesy of Saint Patrick Catholic Academy

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Young scientists created bold experiments and shared their findings with their classmates, parents, teachers and a panel of judges during a science fair held at St. Patrick Catholic Academy.

The fair, which took place during the academy’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week, drew a large crowd of spectators to the Aldo Bruschi Auditorium inside the academy at 401 97th St. in Bay Ridge.

Students conducted experiments and explored a wide array of scientific topics and recorded their findings on colorful poster boards that filled the auditorium.

Eighth-grader Molly O’Connor studied how the acidification of the world’s oceans is affecting wildlife. Seventh-grader Elaine Ingoldsby studied human muscles. Fifth-grader Michael Barba used clay to study water displacement, while his classmate Michael El-Achkar used a large magnet to find out if all metals are metallic. Fourth-grader Julia Sala studied the effects of vinegar and food coloring on eggs. Third-grader Joseph Gabriele conducted a study to determine which objects conduct electricity.

Several students used interesting items as part of their projects. Sixth-grader Alice Morris created her very own hovercraft using a balloon, a nozzle and a compact disc. As the balloon deflated, the contraption took flight and flew across the auditorium, much to the delight of interested students visiting the fair. Fifth-grader Fiona Costello created a magnet using a lemon. Fourth-grader Ava Bowes created a lava lamp using water, vegetable oil, food coloring and an Alka Seltzer tablet.

The fair’s participants shared their findings with a steady stream of visitors throughout the day.

Catholic Schools Week, a nationwide event sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association designed to promote catholic education, took place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6. Catholic schools across the country held special events to mark the week.

At St. Patrick Catholic Academy, the events included an opening Mass, an art fair, an open house, Teacher Appreciation Day, a storybook parade and Student Appreciation Day.