Letter: PTSA Math/Science Night Success

Students enjoy Quark Academy's astronomy display at the PTSA Math/Science Night March 4 at the Orcas Island School

The PTSA’s recent Family Fun Math/Science Night was a success yet again—thanks to our dedicated teachers and talented students, as well as the many involved community members who all came together to celebrate the fun of learning about math and science.

The kids (and their families) who came were treated to carnival-style games illustrating probability theories, chess games, motorized robots, a “hair-raising” demonstration from an electrostatic generator, opportunities to build a volcano, exhibits on DNA transfer between bacteria, predicting genetic mutations in flies, microscope studies, fizz rockets, composting and much more.

Thank you to fellow PTSA Board members—Lorena Stankevich, Marian O’Brien, Vicki Vandermay, Anne Garfield, Pat Hunt, Michelle Kostechko and Susan Stolmeier for their hard work, and to Superintendent Barbara Kline and Principal Tom Gobeske for their assistance.

Thank you to the many guest presenters who came from outside our school—Fiona Norris of San Juan Nature Institute and Russel Barsh of its partner in science, The Center for Historic Ecology of the Salish Sea (KWIAHT), who came with “cool bugs” found in island waters and an exhibit on pollination, to Lana Hickman of The Funhouse, who helped kids build their own volcanoes!, to Linda Sheridan of Moran Outdoor School, who came with a display of animal furs, skulls and other touchables, to Friends of Moran and to the Orcas Chess Club, represented by third-grader Kellen Maier, Sam Windsor and Public Library Director Phil Heikkinen.

Thank you to the many teachers and students who brought exhibits, games and demonstrations as well—elementary teachers Pam Jenkins, Lorena Stankevich, Marny Gaylord, Denise O’Toole (math tutoring to teach adults how to teach their kids), Susan Stolmeier, and Peggy Garcia (with students Chris Edwards, Melanie Flint, Mikaela Hansen and Jay Zier), Marta Nielson and her “Quark Academy” Astronomers (represented by Zach Waage, Wylie Kau, Dana Sabine, Jake Bottner, Anthony Kaskurs and Desmond Graves), Lori Oakes (and her seventh graders Tara O’Neill, Jack Russillo, Bella Nigretto, Shelbi Rogers, Alena Janssen, Emily Jackson, Chris Babcock, Eric Eagan, Wayne Foster, Diansa Anuenue and Lindsay Lancaster), Laura Tidwell (and her eight graders Jessica Gudgell, Rose Stasen, Max Blackadar, Jake Zier, Cameron Schuh, Liana Bense, Courtney Ray, Freeda Crow and Tamara Klein), and high school science teachers Greg Books and Brett McFarland (and their students Jacqlyn Zier, Cameron Smart, Robbie Padbury, Sam Prado and Nick Van Maren). It was great seeing so many kids, parents and community members get excited about learning!

Barb Skotte, PTSA President
Eastsound