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PRESSKIDS ompson Brook Odyssey of the Mind team heads to world finals By Jennifer Senofonte Staff Writer e ompson Brook School Odyssey of the Mind team is heading to the world finals competition at the University of Michigan this month. 8 The Valley Press May 2, 2013 e team of five fifth-graders qualified for the world finals after winning second place in the Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind state finals held April 6 at Bristol Eastern High School. Dheepa Hari, Rhea D’Costa, Sophie Lin, Uthara Sunderesh and Jaya Hari have spent the last five months designing and building three vehicles that delivered parts to be assembled into a pet animal for the Odyssey of the Mind competition. When asked to describe the pet animal they made, they could not reveal any details to the press as they will be doing the same project for the upcoming competition May 22. “is is our first time. All five girls are first-timers,” team mother and coach Krithika Hari said. “It’s a lot of thinking on your feet and thinking out of the box.” Other skills honed through Odyssey of the Mind participation are teamwork, problem solving and resourcefulness, she said. “ey are amazing. ey learn a lot when they are doing this,” Hari added. e team meets after school hours and had to plan its pet animal project using only $140. Hari said the girls utilized recycled materials and household items and that things that had to be purchased were split between the team. e girls were congratulated at the state finals by the judges on elements of style, theme and overall creativity. For the world finals competition, the team will complete an eight minute presentation including a demonstration of how the vehicles Courtesy photo From left to right: Dheepa Hari, Rhea D’Costa, Sophie Lin, Uthara Sunderesh, and Jaya Hari work, the making of the pet animal and having it do a trick. ey also have to do a live presentation on how they developed their project within the eight minute time frame. Additionally, there will be a spontaneous problem for the team to solve. “at is kind of a tricky part,” Hari said, noting that the parents cannot help the kids at all with that component. ey will compete against hundreds of teams from all over the United States and 26 countries. e girls are excited to represent Avon and Connecticut in the world finals, Hari said. In order to fund the registration fee, plane tickets and trip costs, the team is seeking individual donations and corporate sponsorships. To fundraise, the team will be selling water balloons at the Roaring Brook School May Fair on May 5, as four of the five girls are RBS alumni. e team will also host a benefit night fundraiser at Flatbread in the Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton on May 6. For more information, email Parvathi Ambalakat at parvathi .ambalakat@gmail .com. Check donations can be made payable to “TBS Odyssey of the Mind Team” and mailed to: ompson Brook School, 150 ompson Road, Avon, 06001.
By Maria G. O'Donnell Correspondent On the evening of April 26, the Squadron Line Elementary School Science Fair boasted over 200 students from grades K-6, along with a new Special Focus Competition on Alternative Energy, open to fifthand sixth-graders. After four Science Fairs without emphasis on competition, a “competitive component” came by student request, according to Principal Meg Evans. “We got feedback from last year that some people wanted competition.” e first place winner(s) get to be student judge(s) at next year’s contest, and other science prizes would be awarded. Sixth-grade teacher David Palinkas worked with enthusiastic Henry James Memorial School student Andrew Zonenberg to devise the concept. e two were among the judges to determine the top three projects out of the 16 presented. Event organizer Beth Mitra acknowledged another important feature. “We’re so pleased to see so many girls participating in science,” she said. Last year she had commented, “I am especially hopeful we can motivate and encourage our female student scientists.” A couple of those female scientists were sixth-graders Katie O’Connell and Nicole Caesar. eir project “Stars” featured detailed facts about the celestial bodies, and both girls alternated sharing information. ey provided an artistic rendering of a star’s life cycle, as well as constellations. Younger girl scientists, sisters Mia, kindergarten, and Saraphina Cirilli, grade three, had their hands full when their two female rabbits turned out not to be both female. One was a boy after all, and, with a litter of babies as a result, a science fair project was also born: “All about Rabbits.” e girls excitedly relayed facts about what they observed when the babies were born, how mother and babies behave, what they eat and when. Not to be outdone by the ladies, second-grader Scott Taylor enthusiastically presented “Minerals of the World.” Eight different colorful, sparkling specimens lined his table. With great animation, Scott picked up and easily described every one of them, barely glancing at his handwritten descriptions on his poster board. According to Mitra, “I’m always so impressed (by the fair). is is truly a family event – so many grandparents and younger siblings show their support and cheer our scientists on.” Winners of the alternative energy contest were selected that evening, but not announced until the next week. First Place: Xavier Baun’s “Wind Power,” Second Place: PRESSKIDS Squadron Line’s fifth annual Science Fair draws new competition CRABGRASS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! OUR LAWNS LOOK GREAT!! with our double application crabgrass control strategy Yours can too! • Superior weed and crabgrass controls • Reliable, high quality fertilization service • No hidden costs, no telemarketer calls • Fully licensed, and insured experts • Landscape Bed Weed Control • Core Aeration • Tick Control • Professional Tree and Shrub Care • Machine and Hydro Seeding Service based on Old Fashioned Honesty & Integrity Visit us today at www.thegreenscene.info Call Today 860-528-0373 Local, Family Owned Since 1983 Photos by Maria G. O’Donnell Above, left, from left to right:Alternative energy contestants from grade five, Sophia Hodson and Mackenzie Lynch with “Citrus Energy.” This experiment paired up lemons with zinc and copper nails to tap into the citrus acid’s metal component, turning a chain of lemons into a battery to illuminate a light bulb. Above, right, from left to right: Third graders Mary Keenan and Katherine Caldwell present “Rock’in Rock Candy.” For more photos find The Valley Press on Facebook. FREE Lawn Estimates & Evaluations Veteran & Senior Discounts B#0378 Grace Huang and Jeevan Palaniyandy’s “Water Power,” ird Place: Samantha Aiyathurai’s “Fruit & Veggie Power.” Industrial explosives company Dyno-Nobel once again donated lab coats for scientific investigators reviewing projects at the fair, and sponsors were chemical company Chemtura Corporation and Necker’s toy store. A unique day camp located on our beautiful 75 acre campus Session I: June 24 - July 12 Session II: July 15 - August 2 Full Session: June 24 - August 2 For boys and girls from 3 years - 10th grade including adventure trips for teens 860-232-8410 renbrooksummeradventure.org RenbrookSchool welcomes students of every race, color, national and ethnic origin. RenbrookSchool • 2865 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 May 2, 2013 The Valley Press 9
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