STUGUN, Sweden – According to a report from SVT Jämtlandsnytt, 67 students from Hansåkerskolan in Stugun participated in a science fair this week, showcasing various experiments and investigations for parents and relatives. The event, which took place on Thursday evening, featured students from grades 7 through 9 presenting their projects to the public.
Among the participants was Alice Pettersson, a 7th grader who built a volcano that erupts by mixing water and baking soda. "It's fun, but also quite hard work since you have to do quite a lot to make it work," Pettersson told SVT. "I think younger children might find it fun when the water bubbles up."
It's fun, but also quite hard work since you have to do quite a lot to make it work
Another student, Hampus Norman in 9th grade, built a motor-driven bicycle using a chainsaw motor and a women's bicycle. "I tested putting it together one evening and it worked," Norman said.
The initiative for the project came from science teacher Olivia Moström, who got inspiration from American films featuring similar science fairs. "They get to work in a different way than just sitting and reading and writing. Getting to do more practical things," Moström explained.
I think younger children might find it fun when the water bubbles up
Students began developing their project ideas just before the Christmas break, tested their hypotheses during the spring term, and presented their results this week. According to Moström, the goal was to make science education more practical than theoretical.
I tested putting it together one evening and it worked
They get to work in a different way than just sitting and reading and writing. Getting to do more practical things