Science Festival ignites youngsters' STEM-related curiosity
Thursday, March 5, 2020
– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor,
and Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor
![During a “Taste of Technology” presentation by Chef Frank M. Suchwala, associate professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, children drop orange soda into a solution that includes alginate (a product of seaweed) to create tasty, caviar-sized spheres.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-039_PCTo.jpg)
During a “Taste of Technology” presentation by Chef Frank M. Suchwala, associate professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, children drop orange soda into a solution that includes alginate (a product of seaweed) to create tasty, caviar-sized spheres.
![Suchwala, backed by baking and pastry arts student Jace A. Crowl, of Landenberg, engages the crowd.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-074_PCTo.jpg)
Suchwala, backed by baking and pastry arts student Jace A. Crowl, of Landenberg, engages the crowd.
![Fifth graders from several school districts pack the ACC Auditorium to learn about Sweet and Savory Science, presented by Suchwala and three student assistants: Christopher M. Bashaw, of Jersey Shore; Rachel J. Gobin, of Carlisle; and Crowl.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-140_PCTo.jpg)
Fifth graders from several school districts pack the ACC Auditorium to learn about Sweet and Savory Science, presented by Suchwala and three student assistants: Christopher M. Bashaw, of Jersey Shore; Rachel J. Gobin, of Carlisle; and Crowl.
![Before revealing its effects on Teddy Grahams, Suchwala shows the crowd how liquid nitrogen boils and produces vapor at room temperature.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-154_PCTo.jpg)
Before revealing its effects on Teddy Grahams, Suchwala shows the crowd how liquid nitrogen boils and produces vapor at room temperature.
![Crowds of fifth-graders cross Third Street as they wrap up a demonstration on electricity by Franklin Institute in the Bardo Gym and head for an equally engaging demonstration on molecular gastronomy by the college’s School of Business & Hospitality.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-289_PCTo.jpg)
Crowds of fifth-graders cross Third Street as they wrap up a demonstration on electricity by Franklin Institute in the Bardo Gym and head for an equally engaging demonstration on molecular gastronomy by the college’s School of Business & Hospitality.
![A Franklin Institute demonstrator starts off a lively lesson with a demonstration of static electricity.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-326_PCTo.jpg)
A Franklin Institute demonstrator starts off a lively lesson with a demonstration of static electricity.
![Audience members join the show to futilely try to separate two pieces of steel that moments before would not stick together. The difference? A battery was turned on to create electromagnetism.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-377_PCTo.jpg)
Audience members join the show to futilely try to separate two pieces of steel that moments before would not stick together. The difference? A battery was turned on to create electromagnetism.
![The Franklin Institute educator tries to catch a glimpse of her hair as the buildup of electrical charges in a Van de Graaff generator makes it stand on end.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/Science-Fest-462_PCTo.jpg)
The Franklin Institute educator tries to catch a glimpse of her hair as the buildup of electrical charges in a Van de Graaff generator makes it stand on end.
![Delighting young guests, the Lycoming County Conservation District's uncharacteristically friendly (and purposefully informative) tick points the way to adventures in science.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001636.jpg)
Delighting young guests, the Lycoming County Conservation District's uncharacteristically friendly (and purposefully informative) tick points the way to adventures in science.
![The power of water is explored at the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy table.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001643.jpg)
The power of water is explored at the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy table.
![Representatives from Larson Design Group (on right) share a laugh with a student. On far right is alumnus Josiah T. Covert, ’18, civil engineering technology, who enjoys a career in bridge design and inspection.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001658.jpg)
Representatives from Larson Design Group (on right) share a laugh with a student. On far right is alumnus Josiah T. Covert, ’18, civil engineering technology, who enjoys a career in bridge design and inspection.
![Pig lungs stir awe and engagement at a display hosted by Williamsport Area High School’s Health Professions career and technical education course.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001690.jpg)
Pig lungs stir awe and engagement at a display hosted by Williamsport Area High School’s Health Professions career and technical education course.
![Kemtec and AquaPhoenix Scientific engage young minds in the conductivity of solutions.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001741.jpg)
Kemtec and AquaPhoenix Scientific engage young minds in the conductivity of solutions.
![Glue, food coloring, corn starch and borax are the ingredients used in the creation of “bouncy balls” at a project sponsored by St. John Neumann Regional Academy.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001751.jpg)
Glue, food coloring, corn starch and borax are the ingredients used in the creation of “bouncy balls” at a project sponsored by St. John Neumann Regional Academy.
![A youngster eyes a possible future in medical imaging at a display hosted by Penn College’s radiography major.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001754.jpg)
A youngster eyes a possible future in medical imaging at a display hosted by Penn College’s radiography major.
![A timely demonstration in bacteria and the importance of good hand-washing is supplied by West Pharmaceutical Services.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001791.jpg)
A timely demonstration in bacteria and the importance of good hand-washing is supplied by West Pharmaceutical Services.
![A fifth-grader pulls a core sample from the exploration table staffed by Penn College’s construction management students.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001825.jpg)
A fifth-grader pulls a core sample from the exploration table staffed by Penn College’s construction management students.
![Students enthusiastically compete at a 24-volt traffic signal exhibit designed and built by Penn College electrical majors.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001862.jpg)
Students enthusiastically compete at a 24-volt traffic signal exhibit designed and built by Penn College electrical majors.
![Wide eyes and wonder](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001884.jpg)
Wide eyes and wonder
![Feeling the heat! Guests discover the power of solar panels.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001891.jpg)
Feeling the heat! Guests discover the power of solar panels.
![A popular corner of the Field House: SEKISUI SPI thermoforms sheets of plastic into take-home treasures.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001942.jpg)
A popular corner of the Field House: SEKISUI SPI thermoforms sheets of plastic into take-home treasures.
![Brennan B. Wodrig, program manager for the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center, fields questions for the industry's potential future.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6001999.jpg)
Brennan B. Wodrig, program manager for the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center, fields questions for the industry's potential future.
![That slime is mine! Kids knead small plastic bags filled with slime solution at an exhibit sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers’ PlastiVan program.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6002025.jpg)
That slime is mine! Kids knead small plastic bags filled with slime solution at an exhibit sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers’ PlastiVan program.
![Peace out! Fifth-graders' thermal gestures are displayed on PPL Electrical Utilities’ magical monitor, which broadcasts the output from a drone’s infrared camera.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2020/03/6002055.jpg)
Peace out! Fifth-graders' thermal gestures are displayed on PPL Electrical Utilities’ magical monitor, which broadcasts the output from a drone’s infrared camera.