From Mike Horn....

2011 New Haven Science Fair

The New Haven Science Fair was held at Woolsey Hall at Yale from Tuesday May 10 through Thursday May 12, 2011. The Club offers the Letis Memorial Prize of $200.00 and a one year Club membership to the winner. This year's winner was a class project done by second graders at Davis St School.

The project was titled "Bird Bath". Its description is "to determine the best method for removing oil from fur and feathers of animals and birds involved in an oil spill". The children tried various media to remove oil from white farm duck feathers. Maryellyn Maresca, their teacher, had them try water, dog shampoo and Dawn dish washing liquid. They tried these three solvents on feathers contaminated with motor oil. They also tried to dissolve oil in a jar and learned about miscibility (mixing water and oil) in the process.

The children also learned about what happens to birds and animals in an oil spill and how people use various things including Dawn to help clean them up.

In the picture, Ciarra Brown (L), Indira Akilotan (C) and Antonio Collins (R) are shown holding containers of oil mixed with various solvents. Ms Maresca in the back-ground did wonders with the children. They were all eager, bright, highly responsive and well informed when questioned by me.

Both Pat and I found their project highly appropriate for the prize.

Mike and Pat Horn 5/11/2011