Students experience electric experiment

Pictured, from left, are Jordan McCrary and Ashley Manier checking out the fuel tank robot at Wednesday?s hands-on science experiments at Warren County Middle School.

Warren County Middle School students got a sneak peek into what it means to be a scientist Wednesday thanks to the collision of McMinnville?s two Rotary clubs, and one Tennessee Tech engineer/physicist professor. Together they may have advanced science by turning sixth- through eighth-graders toward the study of science.

Professor Ken Hunter, who donated his time in coming to the school, wowed students with technological advances and scientific experiments. Students were given a lesson in the advancements in exoskeletons, prosthetics, robotics and energy.

Hunter believes in getting students involved. For this, he chose to allow students to make enough electricity to power a small fan. The process involves using a fuel cell which produces electricity by using hydrogen in a chemical process.

?All the literature shows that science needs to taught hands-on,? said Hunter. ?I know that?s hard for them to do, but we?ve got some things that we can bring to make it easy to do that. It?s a lot different when you can gather four to five in a group and really see it as opposed to me just standing up here and talking about it.?

The program is designed to give middle school students a look into another world, a world they might not know exists before they head into high school and prepare to make career choices.

Sixth-grader Corey Scheidler says he would like to continue his studies in hopes of becoming a scientist.

?I liked it,? said Corey. ?It was fun. I got to make electricity. Science is cool. I think I would like to be a scientist.?

That is the reaction Rotary Club member Shot Nunley was hoping for when it comes to encouraging students to pursue knowledge.

?We want to expose middle school kids to the study of math, science and higher education,? said Nunley. ?We want them to know there is something out there. When these kids get to high school, they have to make a decision. We need to let them know what?s out there. Especially now, when there is a great need in the country for science and math majors.?

This is the second time WCMS students got received a visit from professors in the field of science. In December, students got a look at chemistry thanks to three chemistry professors from Tennessee Tech.

For the benefit of the students, it is hoped to offer this kind of session three times each school year.