Chestnut Exhibit at the Science Expo at Volunteer State Community College (VSCC), March 29, 2007. Photos by Joe Schibig
A science expo is held on the VSCC campus
each year in the spring. Visiting students from mostly grade schools and
middle schools are treated to numerous science exhibits and activities designed
to spark an interest in science among young students.
The American chestnut exhibit
was very popular among the kids--they received candy rewards for participating
in some
learning activities that were as much fun as they were educational.
The children learned about the American chestnut by viewing a continuous slide show.
The kids compared the leaf, twig, and fruit characteristics of the American and Chinese chestnut trees.
One of the most popular events at the Science Expo was the egg drop competition. Young scientists/engineers are given a few materials (stiff paper, tape, straws, and rubber bands) to construct a protective box to cushion an egg as it falls from various heights. A few kids were able to construct egg boxes that kept the egg from breaking when dropped from a height of 12 feet.
In conjunction with the Science Expo, two more American chestnut seedlings were planted on the VSCC campus.
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