Fourth-Graders Get Hands-on Science Lessons at CAER

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 21, 2013) — About 50 fourth-graders from Russell Cave Elementary visited the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research on Monday, where they watched aluminum melt at 3,500 degrees, smashed cylinders of concrete using extreme pressure, and visited a greenhouse to learn how pond scum cleans up pollution.

The young students took part in these and other hands-on science demonstrations with CAER scientists, at an annual event celebrating the 10-year partnership between the school and the center. 

Each year, a CAER researcher works with Russell Cave students over several weeks on an in-depth science experiment, with the students tracking data and charting results along the way. The researcher visits the school about a half-dozen times to help the students think about what’s happening, analyze data, and determine what the numbers mean. The project culminates with the annual tour and picnic at CAER.