Discover Englewood 2023
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1491872
E milia Roberts told her son, Liam, 9, to hold his hands over the florescent light and take a look at what it shows. He was somewhat shocked at what he learned. "See where it glows? Those are all of the germs on your hands. Go back and wash them," Roberts told her third grader. "This time, use soap all over your hands." Roberts told parents and children it's common to see the ultra violet light reveal areas that people miss while thinking they've washed away bacteria, bodily fluids and other things they don't want on their hands. Roberts, who works at Community Eye Center in Port Charlotte, gave hand-washing instructions to the hundreds of parents and children at the annual Myakka River Elementary Family STEAM Night. The yearly event focuses on making science, technology, engineering, art and math fun through mostly hands-on experiments and experiences. The event drew 420 people, organizers said, and 70 school and community volunteers. Students like Lemon Bay High senior Jax Medelsohn volunteered at the event. He held a square toy and dipped it in soap film. Children were amazed they could put their hand through the square and the soap film would make a bubble/ water sandwich. The science station was designed to ask children if air takes up space. Kindergartener Liliana Mitrev, Majoring in Education Left, Kindergartener Liliana Mitrev, 6, is fascinated by the science bubble film experiment shown to her by Lemon Bay High School senior Jax Medelsohn. Middle, Dezmund Johnson checks out Bella, a great horned owl during Myakka River Elementary School's annual Family STEAM Night. Peace River Wildlife Center volunteer Robert Warren brought the owl. Bottom, Zayn Miller, 5, attended the event with his brother Cayden, 7, who is in second grade at Myakka Elementary School. The pair enjoyed doing science projects at the Family STEAM Night. SUN PHOTOS BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Schools make science fun STEAM night a hit at elementary schools By Elaine Allen-Emrich Discover Englewood 2023 20