LITTLE BRITAIN’S BRAINIACS

By Elizabeth Allegro

ELIZABETH ALLEGRO FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Many students hold memories from elementary school close to their hearts. Whether it be field day or the book fair, they cherish these moments with their childhood friends.  This week, at Little Britain Elementary School,  the Annual Science Expo will be taking place.  This is yet another opportunity to create  everlasting memories while also learning. 

For the past several years, the PTO at Little Britain has planned and run the Science Expo.  A tremendous amount of work goes into making this event a success.  Mrs. Rudecindo-O'Neill, the principal of Little Britain, explained that the Expo is “an opportunity for the students to display and explain an experiment they have been working on at home.”  The students stand in front of their projects and take pride in showing off their experiments. Along with the homemade and creative experiments, second grade artwork made with recyclable materials is displayed. It is a great event for students, teachers and parents alike to be proud of their work. 

Little Britain alumni, Kayla DiliBerto, fondly remembers her experiences with the Expo.  She spoke very enthusiastically on the subject explaining her project from fourth grade.  “I made a poster on the biology of the crested gecko. I brought in my spotted gecko named Smokey.”  Just like when Kayla participated, the children of Little Britain loved walking around to see their peers’ homemade exhibits this year. 

The Science Honor Society (SHS) of Washingtonville High School has been volunteering at the Expo for three years now. Ever since Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Massari have become the Science Honor Society advisors, they have made it an annual event.  Members are required to attend and lend a helping hand; they are only happy to do so!  The high school students volunteer and set up demonstrations for the children to enjoy. 

Mrs. Scott expressed how “our high school students participate in and discuss the students’ learning and check for understanding. They enjoy taking a break from their studies and doing something fun!” She expressed how it is fun for the younger kids to “speak the language of science" with the students and they are proud to share their knowledge. The Little Britain kids  look up to them and it instills a great sense of pride for the High School students. 

Nina Castillo is a member of the SHS and had a demonstration last year at the Science Expo. She and her friend Victoria Pecovic set up a Coke and Mentos eruption experiment. Nina enjoyed seeing the kids’ faces light up when she performed her experiment. The event allows opportunities to  bridge a gap between the older and younger kids.