Newark Science Club expands

Newark Middle School Science Club has begun its sixth scientific journey with more members than ever before 96 to be precise. Forty-eight seventh and eighth graders returned for their second and third years as members of the club and are being joined by 14 new seventh and eighth graders.

Together they make up the Senior Science Club, which meets every Wednesday, one group meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. and the other group, created for modified athletes, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The newest members of Science Club the sixth graders, join them. Thirty-four sixth graders were accepted in the Science Club and have already begun to experience what makes it so rewarding. Sixth grade Science Club meets on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 5.

Science Club members made Ooze a Non-Newtonian fluid composed of cornstarch and water. The members found that when pressure is exerted on the Ooze, it acts as a solid, but if pressure is released, even for a second, it behaves as a liquid. Not only did the members learn about matter and its properties, they had a lot of fun experiencing the surprises in store with this strange substance.

Middle School Science Club is run completely by volunteers and the hard work of its members. Science Club members raise their own funds through various activities throughout the year. These fundraisers allow for the purchase of chemicals, reagents, equipment, supplies, snacks, and other materials needed to engage in the exciting lab activities.

Shawn Flanagan has been the Club's volunteer advisor since 2002. He is assisted by high school students enrolled in the NMS Science Club Internship Program, established last year, and coordinated by the High School Work Experience office.

High School students returned to help this year and they were joined by 10 new interns. Members are required to earn service points by helping NMS faculty members of the Newark Middle School and can also earn points by providing tutoring help to their peers in the science subject areas.

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