Newton Nov 2019

“In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1).

We recently had our first science fair for grades 4 through 9, 9^th grade being our highest grade level at this point. For weeks the students prepared. The 4-6^th graders worked in teams and prepared for their projects after school with the assistance of their teachers. The 7-9^th graders prepared in the evenings and weekends in their cottages, some in teams and others working individually.

We had lots of requests for different kinds of glue, batteries, motors, tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, styrofoam, box cutting knives, on and on. However, the most interesting request of all came from Bebeto­, “Auntie Martha, would you put these live insects in your freezer for my science project? Teacher Vicky said if they are frozen, they won’t deteriorate and I can pin them to a board.” They were in zipper bags but still, put them in Teacher Vicky’s freezer? One of Bebeto’s critters was a wolf spider! I had to pray all the way to my house about freezing to death these poor insects and wasn’t at all comfortable with the large spider.

After several postponements, the day of the fair finally arrived. The judges were armed with clipboards and critique papers. Judging began with the 4^th graders and moved up to the senior level students.

The judges.

Mariya (6^th grade) waiting to demonstrate the dragon snake.

Bebeto and Mukabera (7^th grade) did a great job talking about the insects and their characteristics.

Some 5^th grade boys had a focus of natural medicine, a bitter leaf.

This is a solar powered bus…without any solar power. We are limited in what we can obtain, you know.

Donatha (9^th grade) was on the chemical side with her projects. None of her demonstrations worked during the judging. However, they did after the fact.

This robot won third place at the senior level.

Epa (9^th grade) made a Styrofoam boat, which won second place at the senior level. Thanks Epa for talking about Newton’s laws of motion!

And the first place winner at the senior level was Dadi’s team with a hydraulic robotic arm.

There were many participants who are not shown here, but all the students did a great job in building or creating something and explaining what it should do.

If you would be interested in sponsoring one of our students for as little as $25 a month, please visit the Rafiki website and navigate to child sponsorship for Rwanda.

Thanks for visiting our science fair!

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