LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 2011 Stanley Science Expo Rocks


Stanley student Chris Mikas makes adjustments to his Rube Goldberg Machine, the Tea Maker. Photo D. Brightbill

Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) joined Stanley Middle School in sponsoring the 2010 Stanley Science Expo on March 31st. The Expo, held bi-annually, caps an exciting science fair season for Lafayette schools.

In addition to over 100 student science projects, the event highlighted a wide variety of exhibitors. Projects created by Stanley student scientists ranged from scale landform models of various topographical maps, to Rube Goldberg Machines along with more traditional science fair projects with a hypothesis and conclusion. Attendees viewed scale models of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and a model of the Caldecott tunnel. Several projects were related to a student's personal science passion. One particularly innovative project included a multi-student built bicycle that works on both battery and human power. While the projects can be quite time consuming, the results are inspiring.

Stanley Science Department chair and beloved 6th grade science teacher Michael Meneghetti summed up the value of the event best, sharing "the whole emphasis of the Science Expo is that it highlights science and makes science the rock star. The event shows the diversity of science careers and immerses students in an evening that makes science very, very cool."

Stanley Science Expo co-chairs Gwenn Lennox and Lori Moran recruited a diverse array of scientists and exhibitors to the Expo, along with Science Expo Advisor Carolyn Wan. Exhibitors shared their love of science while middle school students, teachers, and parents looked on and interacted with the numerous hands-on exhibits. Global Vicinity shared the 3D magic behind XBOX while students extracted DNA from their cheeks with the help of scientists from Sangamo Biosciences. NASA scientist Margaret Race provided 3D glasses for students to view 3D images in space while Sustainable Lafayette, in conjunction with Springhill Schools' Green Team, displayed 65 pounds of untouched lunches thrown away from one day of school lunch garbage.

In addition to student projects and exhibits, student volunteers from Stanley's Opp Knocks were on hand to sell food with proceeds going to LPIE. Attendees also brought along reusable water bottles to cut down on trash at the Expo.