'Superhero Family Night' celebrated by students, parents

The "building station" was a hit for those with a little imagination and ingenuity during "Superhero Science and Math Family Night" Feb. 5 for grades preK through fifth at Warren E. Hearnes Elementary School in Charleston. Submitted Photo

CHARLESTON -- "Superhero Science and Math Family Night" was held Feb. 5 for grades preK through fifth at Warren E. Hearnes Elementary School in Charleston.

About 310 participants made this the school's highest-attended family night in recent memory, according to parent liaison B.J. Babb.

"Superhero Family Night" activities were designed to promote science, math and hands-on learning. There were more than a dozen stations spread across the school, many of which were led by fourth and fifth grade science and math teachers.

In the gray gym, the candy fractions station had students working with fractions while enjoying a snack. In the same gym, students played the "Cookie Game," another fractions game which involves converting fractions in a fun way. Also available were math logic games that required problem-solving and thinking skills, like the classic "Wolf, Goat and Cabbage Problem."

The Hearnes fifth grade science lab was used for water experiments. Students made aluminum foil boats and loaded them with pennies. They also tested items of varied mass and volume to determine if they might float or not, and tried to drop a coin in a cup at the bottom of a jar.

In the blue gym, students got to experiment with magnets and build structures using various materials, as well as make some borax and glue "slime." Also on hand were Kristin Crosier and Bobbie Sager of the Mississippi County Health Department, with a display on the amount of sugar present in soft drinks.

One highlight of the evening was the "Momentum" station, where students took turns spinning on a special disk loaned by the CMS Science Department and Dan DeField, CMS science teacher.

Families and teachers were encouraged to wear their favorite superhero or super villain gear. Some of the characters seen that night included Batman, Superwoman, Turtles, Avengers, and even the rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.

Pizza and cookies were served, and lemonade was provided by OPAA! Food Services. The event was a product of Title 1 Parent Involvement and CMS Parent Involvement. Mississippi County Health Department and L&S Pharmacy contributed to the event.