Science on Wheels coming to Bridgeport Elementary

BRIDGEPORT – The Pacific Science Center (PSC) is coming to Bridgeport Elementary School!…well, not the whole Pacific Science Center, but at least the part that’s on wheels.

Bridgeport Elementary Principal Jesse Macy told the regular monthly meeting of the school board on Jan. 26, that art teacher Lisa Cutuli submitted a request to get on the PacSci schedule and was granted a slot for a Science on Wheels visit on May 10.

Cutuli later told the Quad that she called PSC and was advised that Bridgeport qualified for its program.

“The program we will receive is called Science on Wheels Engineering,” Cutuli said.

Thanks to generous grant support from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Amazon Future Engineer, SMART Technologies, and Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation, it is provided at no cost.

Students will begin the day with an assembly where they will learn about electrical, civil, and aerospace engineering in an interactive show for the whole school. Students will also be part of the Interactive Pop-Up Exhibit, where they can construct an arch bridge, manipulate marble mazes, and make wheels turn using engines and gears.

Each class will receive a different workshop in their classroom. Workshops include: 

• Machine Makeover: Become hands-on inventors and create Lego Duplo Toolo Machines to help solve everyday problems.
• Super Structures: Discover what makes a strong and stable building using foam blocks, wooden dowels, and mini foundations. 
• Radical Robots. How robots can help us solve problems as they explore the world of robotics and become real robot programmers. They will program Kibos to move through obstacles and react to the world around them. 
• Bridge the Gap:Test the limits of a K’NEX bridge and discover what makes an optimal bridge design through various challenges.
• Get in Gear: How mechanical engineers design an amusement park ride so that it spins the fastest.

Science on Wheels travels across the state, bringing engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming to grades K–8 with an emphasis on interactive and hands-on programs.

The mobile unit offers both whole-day and partial-day programs in Eastern Washington on a seasonal basis from March to June and September through early November.

Science on Wheels visited the Pateros school in the fall of 2017 and set up an array of interactive exhibits in the school gym.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media