Meet James Arias, Roman Gangi and Luciano Palacios ---physics students par excellence! They are the third place winners in the Rochester Institute of Technology's 8th Annual Physics Olympiad! WELL-DONE, gentlemen!
The trio are students of High School Physics Teacher Martin Greco. His students were among the many New York State high school students invited to participate. They worked in teams for three hours on several, extremely challenging physics problems.
The RIT High School Physics Olympiad involves solving challenging physics problems that go beyond standard classroom material, covering topics such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and more. The competition features questions designed to test analytical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than memorization. Its goal is to encourage interest in physics and STEM fields while giving students experience with competition-style questions similar to those seen in more advanced contests like the United States Physics Olympiad.
The trio are students of High School Physics Teacher Martin Greco. His students were among the many New York State high school students invited to participate. They worked in teams for three hours on several, extremely challenging physics problems.
The RIT High School Physics Olympiad involves solving challenging physics problems that go beyond standard classroom material, covering topics such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and more. The competition features questions designed to test analytical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than memorization. Its goal is to encourage interest in physics and STEM fields while giving students experience with competition-style questions similar to those seen in more advanced contests like the United States Physics Olympiad.
We’re very excited to share that a senior student initiative has been recently approved by the Board of Education! Beginning with this year’s senior class, seniors will be invited to decorate their caps for graduation! Principal Kenneth Hauck will review the guidelines for this initiative at an upcoming senior meeting.
Thank you to Board of Education ex-officio student members Heather Day and Madilyn Greenberg for presenting this proposal to the Board of Education, as well as to Senior Class officers Sylvia Glebocki, Sigourney-Page Kinzonzi, Siyassa Mathis, Elizabeth Yozzo and seniors Faith Padavano and Hana Ebbert for their collaboration and effort in helping bring this initiative forward. (Senior Ella Michelitch, who is attending the University of Oklahoma, is our model showing what a potential cap design can look like!)
Decorating a graduation cap reflects the meaningful connection between personal identity and academic achievement. While a graduation cap and gown traditionally represent unity and academic success, personalized cap designs give graduates the opportunity to express school pride; their graduation year; future plans such as college, military service, or careers; involvement in school activities; and messages of gratitude to the important people who have supported them along the way. A decorated cap can serve as a powerful representation of each graduate’s journey and the significance of reaching this milestone.
Thank you to Board of Education ex-officio student members Heather Day and Madilyn Greenberg for presenting this proposal to the Board of Education, as well as to Senior Class officers Sylvia Glebocki, Sigourney-Page Kinzonzi, Siyassa Mathis, Elizabeth Yozzo and seniors Faith Padavano and Hana Ebbert for their collaboration and effort in helping bring this initiative forward. (Senior Ella Michelitch, who is attending the University of Oklahoma, is our model showing what a potential cap design can look like!)
Decorating a graduation cap reflects the meaningful connection between personal identity and academic achievement. While a graduation cap and gown traditionally represent unity and academic success, personalized cap designs give graduates the opportunity to express school pride; their graduation year; future plans such as college, military service, or careers; involvement in school activities; and messages of gratitude to the important people who have supported them along the way. A decorated cap can serve as a powerful representation of each graduate’s journey and the significance of reaching this milestone.
Congratulations and best wishes to the senior members of the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team, who were honored for their many contributions to the team’s success during their recent Senior Night: Alyssa Hendershot (attack); Riley Gass (defense) and Olivia Pollock (midfield). Not only did the team defeat Saugerties 20-4, the girls youth lacrosse program came to the game to show their support!
We love all our student teachers!
Student teacher Veronica Broas, who is working in IS fourth-grade teachers Jenn Kemmerer and David Mellan’s class, led their students in some recent fun mystery science activities!
Students completed two short activities that explore sound vibrations. They experimented with sound to understand how it moves through the air and during their “Balloon” activity, they considered what would happen in an environment like space where there is no air.
Students also discovered that sound is a wave. In their “Making Waves” activity, students drew the waves that different sounds made using a virtual oscilloscope, a machine that shows images of sound waves. Then, they vibrated a rope to make waves that look like the ones made by the oscilloscope. What a fun science lab!
Student teacher Veronica Broas, who is working in IS fourth-grade teachers Jenn Kemmerer and David Mellan’s class, led their students in some recent fun mystery science activities!
Students completed two short activities that explore sound vibrations. They experimented with sound to understand how it moves through the air and during their “Balloon” activity, they considered what would happen in an environment like space where there is no air.
Students also discovered that sound is a wave. In their “Making Waves” activity, students drew the waves that different sounds made using a virtual oscilloscope, a machine that shows images of sound waves. Then, they vibrated a rope to make waves that look like the ones made by the oscilloscope. What a fun science lab!
Please join us in congratulating the student musicians and singers for their wonderful performances at the recent NYSSMA Solo Festival at Mount Academy in Esopus! They proudly represented Minisink Valley with tremendous musical excellence!
The New York State School Music Association Solo Festival (NYSSMA) is a music evaluation event for student musicians and singers where students perform a prepared solo piece for a certified judge and receive a score plus written feedback on their musical skills, technique, tone, rhythm and overall performance.
The festival uses difficulty levels from 1 to 6, with higher scores at advanced levels sometimes helping students qualify for honors ensembles like All-State or strengthen college music applications
The New York State School Music Association Solo Festival (NYSSMA) is a music evaluation event for student musicians and singers where students perform a prepared solo piece for a certified judge and receive a score plus written feedback on their musical skills, technique, tone, rhythm and overall performance.
The festival uses difficulty levels from 1 to 6, with higher scores at advanced levels sometimes helping students qualify for honors ensembles like All-State or strengthen college music applications
Brendan McGann’s College Biology students again participated in Arizona State University’s recent March Mammal Madness (MMM) an annual science tournament inspired by NCAA March Madness! Kudos to Julia Meyer, the class’s champion!
Created in 2013 by scientist Katie Hinde, the competition pits animals against each other in hypothetical battles judged using real ecological and evolutionary science. Participants fill out brackets predicting winners, while scientists determine outcomes based on factors like anatomy, behavior, habitat, and predator-prey dynamics.
Although it began as a classroom activity, MMM has grown into a major educational event used by teachers, libraries, and museums worldwide. The tournament includes not only mammals but also birds, reptiles, insects, extinct species and occasionally mythical creatures! Matchups are presented in dramatic sports-commentary style, blending humor and storytelling with scientific research and evidence.
Here’s how it works:
• A tournament bracket is released each February or March.
• Players fill out predictions just like a basketball bracket.
• Matchups are narrated live in dramatic play-by-play style on social media and ASU platforms.
• Scientific citations and ecological evidence determine the likely winner.
• Chance and environmental context matter too — terrain, weather, disease, social behavior, and even luck can change outcomes.
One year might feature:
• elephants vs. rhinos
• extinct animals vs. modern species
• deep-sea predators
• mythological creatures
• social insect colonies
• or bizarre “why not?” matchups.
The event is especially famous for its storytelling. The battle writeups read like sports commentary crossed with nature documentaries. Scientists and artists collaborate to produce original artwork, educational resources, habitat maps, and species profiles.
The event is designed to make science engaging and accessible. Educators use it to teach evolution, ecosystems, biodiversity, probability, and critical thinking, while students experience science through competition and storytelling!
(BTW, the 2026 Arizona State University March Mammal Madness champion was the Humpback Whale. It defeated the Nile Crocodile in the championship “Final Roar.”)
Created in 2013 by scientist Katie Hinde, the competition pits animals against each other in hypothetical battles judged using real ecological and evolutionary science. Participants fill out brackets predicting winners, while scientists determine outcomes based on factors like anatomy, behavior, habitat, and predator-prey dynamics.
Although it began as a classroom activity, MMM has grown into a major educational event used by teachers, libraries, and museums worldwide. The tournament includes not only mammals but also birds, reptiles, insects, extinct species and occasionally mythical creatures! Matchups are presented in dramatic sports-commentary style, blending humor and storytelling with scientific research and evidence.
Here’s how it works:
• A tournament bracket is released each February or March.
• Players fill out predictions just like a basketball bracket.
• Matchups are narrated live in dramatic play-by-play style on social media and ASU platforms.
• Scientific citations and ecological evidence determine the likely winner.
• Chance and environmental context matter too — terrain, weather, disease, social behavior, and even luck can change outcomes.
One year might feature:
• elephants vs. rhinos
• extinct animals vs. modern species
• deep-sea predators
• mythological creatures
• social insect colonies
• or bizarre “why not?” matchups.
The event is especially famous for its storytelling. The battle writeups read like sports commentary crossed with nature documentaries. Scientists and artists collaborate to produce original artwork, educational resources, habitat maps, and species profiles.
The event is designed to make science engaging and accessible. Educators use it to teach evolution, ecosystems, biodiversity, probability, and critical thinking, while students experience science through competition and storytelling!
(BTW, the 2026 Arizona State University March Mammal Madness champion was the Humpback Whale. It defeated the Nile Crocodile in the championship “Final Roar.”)
The final speaker in the High School's Science Speakers Series for this school year took place this past Friday, May 8, was Minisink Valley alumnus Haley Parker, an aerospace engineer in the Space Mission Analysis Branch at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. Her work is focused on systems analysis of crewed space missions and includes probabilistic assessment. And, it's always great when alumni return to campus to meet with students!
Ms. Parker spoke about the recent Artemis mission and future ones, and discussed the importance of the U.S. sending missions back to the Moon and then eventually to Mars as well as other topics. She also reinforced to students that their creative ideas and thinking skills are important to the future and there will be jobs and experiences available to them in the space exploration industry that have yet to be developed.
Ms. Parker earned her aerospace engineering from SUNY Buffalo, where she worked on a team to develop a space mission concept to explore Jupiter’s atmosphere. Her team’s concept, “JASPER,” was the winner of the 2022 AIAA Region I Student Conference. She’s held internships with Oceaneering International and NASA Headquarters, and has written and animated educational videos about orbital debris.
This year's speaker series featured professionals who excelled in science, graduated college, and transitioned to the workforce come in and speak to students who are enrolled in the college level science classes.
Juniors and their guests danced the night away at last Friday’s Junior Prom, making memories that will last long after the final song played! It was an evening filled with glamour and happiness as they inch closer to becoming rising seniors!
A huge thank you to the families who shared photos with us!
To see more photos, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD/posts/pfbid07jD5nqKvLDRVGs7qgXp7iZP4eqKcrQLk4MGLtg6szAVErQi3VZ7aHtftFmPu8uHml?__cft__[0]=AZbJLr2rAL4Oy4EyIkhVkXDXox6BDOPWwm8MyxnDHS3_aeA1ISFk6YI14KLmMq7Ld0Kf97MlQFztqRqD0wrYwb45hWlQ1E5mmE0uZicnwtS_8GEuDQUkdiN9JI8SUA9SbydWEYJ0KCPJJxW5Ksq93u2PA7-b5DdugM4DRxGE2SlgsOsflA2RjMnpO0G2xbNgS7A&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
A huge thank you to the families who shared photos with us!
To see more photos, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/MinisinkValleyCSD/posts/pfbid07jD5nqKvLDRVGs7qgXp7iZP4eqKcrQLk4MGLtg6szAVErQi3VZ7aHtftFmPu8uHml?__cft__[0]=AZbJLr2rAL4Oy4EyIkhVkXDXox6BDOPWwm8MyxnDHS3_aeA1ISFk6YI14KLmMq7Ld0Kf97MlQFztqRqD0wrYwb45hWlQ1E5mmE0uZicnwtS_8GEuDQUkdiN9JI8SUA9SbydWEYJ0KCPJJxW5Ksq93u2PA7-b5DdugM4DRxGE2SlgsOsflA2RjMnpO0G2xbNgS7A&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Meet five of the 161 students who registered to vote during the High School’s recent voter registration drive, sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Region of the League of Women Voters!
Many will now be able to vote in upcoming voting cycles, while others will be able to vote when they turn 18. But! They are registered to vote, which matters greatly because it’s the first step that makes one’s voice count in elections.
“We had 161 students sign up — that is a new record,” said Leslie Simons, Mid-Hudson Region of the League of Women Voters vice president. The group is already working with National Honor Society juniors to organize a similar event in the new school year.
Many will now be able to vote in upcoming voting cycles, while others will be able to vote when they turn 18. But! They are registered to vote, which matters greatly because it’s the first step that makes one’s voice count in elections.
“We had 161 students sign up — that is a new record,” said Leslie Simons, Mid-Hudson Region of the League of Women Voters vice president. The group is already working with National Honor Society juniors to organize a similar event in the new school year.
Please join us in congratulating members of our faculty and administration who were granted tenure by the Board of Education during its May 7 and earlier in the year meetings! #MINISINKProud
High School
Jacquelyn Campbell, Special Education teacher
Thomas Connolly, Mathematics teacher
Jonathan Hannes, Special Education teacher
Toni McGinn, Special Education teacher
Rachel Moran, English as a Second Language teacher
Middle School
Francine LaDonna, Social Worker
Kaitlin Santos, Elementary teacher
Ramon Torres, Foreign Languages teacher
Otisville Elementary
Lisa Assaiante, Special Education teacher
Victoria Frascone, Special Education teacher
Stephanie Gove, Elementary teacher
Nikachi Griffin, Assistant Principal
Bryon Imbarrato, Elementary teacher
Jessica Kahn, Elementary teacher
Nicole Martinez, Elementary teacher
Intermediate School
Lilivette Alten, English as a Second Language teacher
Andrew Fenner, Elementary teacher
Elementary School
Megan St. Clair, Elementary teacher
Stephanie Giufre’s and Tom Uhrig’s Otisville K/1 physical education students are having an absolute blast on a bright, colorful obstacle course designed just for them!
These little movers are learning through play every step of the way. Each twist and turn helps them explore important concepts like “in,” “out,” “over,” “under,” “around,” “through,” “up,” and “down”…all while laughing and giggling and cheering each other on!
And the best part? While fun, this kind of play is packed with powerful benefits. Obstacle courses help young children build strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness. They encourage kids to use both sides of their bodies together, improve listening skills, and develop confidence as they try new challenges and celebrate their successes.
Little ones especially love activities like this because they’re active, colorful, and full of variety — no two turns feel the same! It sparks their imagination, gives them a sense of adventure and lets them learn by doing! They may not realize all the amazing skills they’re building—and that’s perfectly okay…because they’re too busy having FUN!
These little movers are learning through play every step of the way. Each twist and turn helps them explore important concepts like “in,” “out,” “over,” “under,” “around,” “through,” “up,” and “down”…all while laughing and giggling and cheering each other on!
And the best part? While fun, this kind of play is packed with powerful benefits. Obstacle courses help young children build strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness. They encourage kids to use both sides of their bodies together, improve listening skills, and develop confidence as they try new challenges and celebrate their successes.
Little ones especially love activities like this because they’re active, colorful, and full of variety — no two turns feel the same! It sparks their imagination, gives them a sense of adventure and lets them learn by doing! They may not realize all the amazing skills they’re building—and that’s perfectly okay…because they’re too busy having FUN!
Congratulations to the 15 students who were recognized at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYSAHPERD) Catskill Zone Leadership Awards Ceremony, held May 2 Wallkill High School!
This event honors top-grade-level students who exemplify excellence in fitness, leadership, and citizenship — key components of New York State learning standards.
These students were selected for their commitment to an active lifestyle, responsible behavior, leadership qualities, and contributions to their school community. While athletic ability is not a requirement, each honoree embodies the spirit of personal growth and positive influence.
“These students set a strong example for others, demonstrating how character, dedication, and service make an impact both in physical education and in all areas of life,” said Elementary School Physical Education teacher Anthony Pascarelli, who represented Minisink Valley faculty at the event.
Students honored were:
Middle School
Justin Artola
Charlotte Ringus
Maximus Sisto
Jasmine Tepper
Otisville Elementary
Peter Caputo
Helen Hutchital
Callan Mark
Frank Ortiz
Intermediate School
Lucas Ayala
Logan Flynn
Siena Paccio
Grace Rolon
Elementary School
Augustine Paccio
Delilah Useo
Everett Whalen
This event honors top-grade-level students who exemplify excellence in fitness, leadership, and citizenship — key components of New York State learning standards.
These students were selected for their commitment to an active lifestyle, responsible behavior, leadership qualities, and contributions to their school community. While athletic ability is not a requirement, each honoree embodies the spirit of personal growth and positive influence.
“These students set a strong example for others, demonstrating how character, dedication, and service make an impact both in physical education and in all areas of life,” said Elementary School Physical Education teacher Anthony Pascarelli, who represented Minisink Valley faculty at the event.
Students honored were:
Middle School
Justin Artola
Charlotte Ringus
Maximus Sisto
Jasmine Tepper
Otisville Elementary
Peter Caputo
Helen Hutchital
Callan Mark
Frank Ortiz
Intermediate School
Lucas Ayala
Logan Flynn
Siena Paccio
Grace Rolon
Elementary School
Augustine Paccio
Delilah Useo
Everett Whalen
L Lifting young minds with creativity,
A Art and words woven together,
N Nurturing curiosity in every lesson,
A A spark that inspires learning.
BOCES Education Academy’s “Foundations of Education” student Lana Besson recently teamed up with Holly Pason’s Otisville’s third-graders for a vibrant, hands-on finale to their poetry unit! It blended creativity and literacy with a touch of environmental awareness.
As part of the Amplify reading curriculum, students have been diving into the world of poetry —exploring different forms, discovering influential poets and experimenting with literary devices. To wrap up the unit, they turned their focus to Earth Day, crafting thoughtful acrostic poems inspired by the planet.
But the activity didn’t stop at words. Lana guided students in transforming their poetry into a cross-curricular art piece. Each student designed and carved their own stamp, then used it to print a handmade image of the Earth — bringing their poems to life visually. The result was a collection of unique creations that combined artistic expression with literary learning!
An acrostic poem is a form of poetry where the first letter, syllable, or word of each line spells out a specific word, message, or the alphabet when read vertically. The “spine word,” the word spelled out is usually the subject of the poem. These poems don’t require rhyme or a set rhythm, making them accessible for creative expression.
A Art and words woven together,
N Nurturing curiosity in every lesson,
A A spark that inspires learning.
BOCES Education Academy’s “Foundations of Education” student Lana Besson recently teamed up with Holly Pason’s Otisville’s third-graders for a vibrant, hands-on finale to their poetry unit! It blended creativity and literacy with a touch of environmental awareness.
As part of the Amplify reading curriculum, students have been diving into the world of poetry —exploring different forms, discovering influential poets and experimenting with literary devices. To wrap up the unit, they turned their focus to Earth Day, crafting thoughtful acrostic poems inspired by the planet.
But the activity didn’t stop at words. Lana guided students in transforming their poetry into a cross-curricular art piece. Each student designed and carved their own stamp, then used it to print a handmade image of the Earth — bringing their poems to life visually. The result was a collection of unique creations that combined artistic expression with literary learning!
An acrostic poem is a form of poetry where the first letter, syllable, or word of each line spells out a specific word, message, or the alphabet when read vertically. The “spine word,” the word spelled out is usually the subject of the poem. These poems don’t require rhyme or a set rhythm, making them accessible for creative expression.
After a recent Arbor Day mini-lesson, sixth graders stepped outside to take in the atmosphere and observe the structure and character of nearby trees. Later, students were divided into groups and given one minute to forage through an oversized bin of assorted materials. With just 20 minutes on the clock, each group set to work “planting” their own tree—assembling everything from trunks to canopies using only what they had gathered. The groups then presented their creations, identifying each tree’s species, origin and defining traits.
Following the recent Sixth-Grade Green Team vote, one standout group was recognized for cultivating the most innovative design. To celebrate, students received Arbor Day bookmarks and their own Colorado spruce saplings to take home and root in the real world.
Congratulations to this winning Sixth-Grade Green Team:
Amelia McCarey
Stacia Spongberg
Charlotte Kohler
Rayleigh Ford
Following the recent Sixth-Grade Green Team vote, one standout group was recognized for cultivating the most innovative design. To celebrate, students received Arbor Day bookmarks and their own Colorado spruce saplings to take home and root in the real world.
Congratulations to this winning Sixth-Grade Green Team:
Amelia McCarey
Stacia Spongberg
Charlotte Kohler
Rayleigh Ford
Take a peek at Bryon Imbarrato’s Otisville third-graders, who combined a bit of science with math as they took some time to measure liquids and solids!
Students had to select items from their desks to estimate how many grams each item would be, and then use a scale to find the actual weight in grams. Students also used liquid measuring cups to measure and added the proper amount of milliliters to fill up a water bottle AND to make the perfect cup of coffee without overflowing!
This makes math real, hands-on, and meaningful instead of just abstract numbers on a page. In addition to memorizing units like grams and milliliters—they’re actually using them. By estimating and later using a scale, students practiced critical thinking and learned how close their predictions were, which builds number sense. Measuring liquids to fill a bottle or “make coffee” connected math to everyday life, so students see why these skills matter outside the classroom.
Their activity It also blends subjects. Mixing science (measuring mass and volume) with math helps students understand concepts more deeply because they’re experiencing them in different contexts, not just one isolated lesson.
There’s another big benefit, too! Letting students pick objects from their desks and physically measure things makes the lesson interactive and fun, which helps them stay focused and remember what they learned!
Students had to select items from their desks to estimate how many grams each item would be, and then use a scale to find the actual weight in grams. Students also used liquid measuring cups to measure and added the proper amount of milliliters to fill up a water bottle AND to make the perfect cup of coffee without overflowing!
This makes math real, hands-on, and meaningful instead of just abstract numbers on a page. In addition to memorizing units like grams and milliliters—they’re actually using them. By estimating and later using a scale, students practiced critical thinking and learned how close their predictions were, which builds number sense. Measuring liquids to fill a bottle or “make coffee” connected math to everyday life, so students see why these skills matter outside the classroom.
Their activity It also blends subjects. Mixing science (measuring mass and volume) with math helps students understand concepts more deeply because they’re experiencing them in different contexts, not just one isolated lesson.
There’s another big benefit, too! Letting students pick objects from their desks and physically measure things makes the lesson interactive and fun, which helps them stay focused and remember what they learned!
Twenty-three posters were created by sixth-graders to mark Earth Day, and the votes from 268 students were recently tallied. Congratulations to the winners of the Sixth-Grade Earth Day Poster Contest! Their work is colorful and filled with important messaging!
First Place: Alicia Suen
Second Place: Hailey Reganess
Third Place: Leah Galligan
First Place: Alicia Suen
Second Place: Hailey Reganess
Third Place: Leah Galligan
KUDOS to the Varsity Softball team for knocking it out of the park with its fantastic “Rising Stars Night,” held May 4!
More than 60 future varsity stars representing the Minisink and Otisville Little Leagues stepped up to the plate to join the fun — and what a night it was! The festivities were capped off with a thrilling 9–8 varsity comeback win over Warwick Valley! Amazing!
These young student athletes — clearly future varsity standouts — were all smiles as they received their “Rising Star” bracelets, rounded the bases alongside varsity players, and even scored big by getting all the varsity player autographs they wanted! From dugout chats to on-field memories, it was a home run evening filled with mentorship, teamwork and plenty of heart.
What a beautiful display of paying it forward, beginning to build a future lineup by showing how much fun the game is, and reminding these rising stars that with practice, hustle, and love of the game, anything is possible!
More than 60 future varsity stars representing the Minisink and Otisville Little Leagues stepped up to the plate to join the fun — and what a night it was! The festivities were capped off with a thrilling 9–8 varsity comeback win over Warwick Valley! Amazing!
These young student athletes — clearly future varsity standouts — were all smiles as they received their “Rising Star” bracelets, rounded the bases alongside varsity players, and even scored big by getting all the varsity player autographs they wanted! From dugout chats to on-field memories, it was a home run evening filled with mentorship, teamwork and plenty of heart.
What a beautiful display of paying it forward, beginning to build a future lineup by showing how much fun the game is, and reminding these rising stars that with practice, hustle, and love of the game, anything is possible!
CLASS OF 2001: Approximately four weeks from now: It's your 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 6! Be part of the fun and memory making! Check out the details and contact information!
Polly Mautner’s High School chemistry students had a lot of fun with their recent “elephant toothpaste" lab!
Her elephant toothpaste lab feels less like a lab and more like a controlled eruption of foamy chaos on purpose!
Students mix hydrogen peroxide, a catalyst (often potassium iodide), soap, and a bit of food coloring, then step back as a tower of foamy bubbles explode out of a water bottle! Yes, it’s messy, but it’s unforgettable, which is exactly the point! Beneath the spectacle is a fast decomposition reaction where hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen, and the soap traps that oxygen into billowing foam. Of course, the “toothpaste” isn’t for elephants, but it does a great job brushing up students’ attention spans.
What makes the demo clever is how it sneaks serious chemistry into something that looks like a science fair prank. The reaction is exothermic, so the foam comes out warm, giving students a tactile reminder that chemical reactions often involve energy changes. The catalyst speeds things up without being consumed, which can feel almost like cheating until students realize that catalysts are the unsung heroes behind everything from industrial manufacturing to enzymes in their own bodies.
By the time the foam subsides and someone inevitably asks if they can touch it (yes, they can, usually), the lesson has already stuck. Elephant toothpaste isn’t just about “wow,” it’s about connecting observable phenomena to invisible processes. It teaches that reactions have rates, that energy can be released, and that tiny changes — like adding a catalyst — can dramatically alter outcomes. It turns chemistry from a subject that a student can memorize into one he/she witnesses, feels, and remembers, which is a pretty effective formula for learning — even if it fills up a sink!
Her elephant toothpaste lab feels less like a lab and more like a controlled eruption of foamy chaos on purpose!
Students mix hydrogen peroxide, a catalyst (often potassium iodide), soap, and a bit of food coloring, then step back as a tower of foamy bubbles explode out of a water bottle! Yes, it’s messy, but it’s unforgettable, which is exactly the point! Beneath the spectacle is a fast decomposition reaction where hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen, and the soap traps that oxygen into billowing foam. Of course, the “toothpaste” isn’t for elephants, but it does a great job brushing up students’ attention spans.
What makes the demo clever is how it sneaks serious chemistry into something that looks like a science fair prank. The reaction is exothermic, so the foam comes out warm, giving students a tactile reminder that chemical reactions often involve energy changes. The catalyst speeds things up without being consumed, which can feel almost like cheating until students realize that catalysts are the unsung heroes behind everything from industrial manufacturing to enzymes in their own bodies.
By the time the foam subsides and someone inevitably asks if they can touch it (yes, they can, usually), the lesson has already stuck. Elephant toothpaste isn’t just about “wow,” it’s about connecting observable phenomena to invisible processes. It teaches that reactions have rates, that energy can be released, and that tiny changes — like adding a catalyst — can dramatically alter outcomes. It turns chemistry from a subject that a student can memorize into one he/she witnesses, feels, and remembers, which is a pretty effective formula for learning — even if it fills up a sink!
What a "SUNny" day for an outdoor lesson on SUNflower seeds and planting!
THANK YOU to Botanist Amy Apple of Sleepy Hill Orchards, who visited Angela Dombal and Jordan Procak’s ES kindergarteners yesterday, May 4, for a sweet story and hands-on lesson about sunflowers, seeds and planting!
Ms. Apple read Antoinette Portis’ “A Seed Grows,” showing how tiny sunflower seeds can grow into towering flowers up to 10 feet tall! Then, students got their hands a little dirty (the fun kind!) taking their own pots and planting seeds. With a little love and care, they’ll start to see sprouts in about a week!
There was even a bonus story time opportunity, with Ms. Procak reading “Mrs. Peanuckle's Flower Alphabet,” which introduced them to the names of all kinds of beautiful blooms.!
And (shh… don’t give it away! ), these little gardeners also picked out their very own purple or magenta petunias to plant in pots and take home on Friday—just in time for Mother’s Day.
Teaching kindergarteners about seeds and planting blends science with life skills and a bit of wonder! Students see how living things grow, which builds an early understanding of concepts like life cycles, needs of plants (sun, water, soil) and cause-and-effect. Watching a seed turn into a sprout makes abstract ideas feel real.
It also builds patience and responsibility. When children water their plants and wait for them to grow, they learn that good things take time and care. There’s a sensory and motor benefit too. Digging in soil, planting seeds and handling small objects gives them fine motor skills practice.
There’s also a big sense of pride and ownership, too, because their little students can say “I grew this!” And, it’s a great connection to nature!
