They came bearing pancake syrup, vegetable oil, water, and dishwashing liquid—not to make breakfast but to conduct experiments in density.
This year’s community partnership with MIDE engineers coordinated by Camden Houghton, a mechanical engineer with MIDE and assistant principal Jody Liu, culminated with visits to the McGlynn Middle School on March 21 and 28. During these two days, MIDE engineers worked with the entire 6th grade in conducting the experiments that incorporated STEM curriculum shared by the math and science teachers to include not only the concept of density but also the measurement and calculation of volumes of different shapes and related terms. Students were guided in measuring the density of the liquids and gathering data first, and then predicting to what level everyday items like popcorn kernels and glue stick pieces would sink in the graduated cylinders filled with levels of the liquids of varying density. It was rewarding to watch students develop their hypothesis and observe the results.
Medford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent was on hand to observe and was impressed by the level of student engagement and enjoyed interacting with the students and engineers. Principal Nick Tucci and Director of Science Rocco Cieri joined Assistant Principal Jody Liu with the students in the experiments as well.
6th grade science teachers Ms. Duffy and Ms. Taylor facilitated and later asked students about their experiences:
Marian noted, “It was really nice to have the engineers…because it was a nice change.” Jadon thought “It was very interesting and put a new spin on a regular science day.” Endrick shared: “The engineers were super kind. They remembered our names and gave us turns at doing things in the experiment.” Daniel said, “What I liked most was that we were doing an experiment and we were amazed by our results.” Brandon thought, “The engineers were nice and even brought in a prototype for a diving suit of theirs…My group’s engineer was Gabe, a nice man who also liked Mythbusters like me.” One of the goals of the engineers was to have students understand what engineers do and that engineering is a career path, as well as to encourage more female engineers. From what 6th grader Victoria said, their goal was met: “The [engineers] I was talking were very nice to me…I learned volume+mass=density. Now I am thinking of becoming an engineer if I don’t want to be a scientist.”
Jody Liu, the assistant principal of the McGlynn, explained just how much this was a community partnership: MIDE CEO, Dr. Marthinus van Schoor’s children graduated Medford Public Schools, and the visiting engineers included Jared Keegan, father of a Brooks Elementary student; engineer Gabe Hollings is a graduate of the McGlynn Middle School and Medford High School (and has a brother who is currently an MHS junior).
Assistant Principal Jody Liu and Superintendent Dr. Edouard-Vincent observe MIDE engineer Mike Motola-Barnes conducting density experiments with students.
MIDE engineere Camden Houghton and Sarmad Al Khamees conducting density experiment with 6th graders.
MMS alumnus Gabe Hollings working with students
Mike Ostromecky and Jared Keegan working with students
Mike Motola-Barnes and Sauro Liberatore work with students while Rocco Cieri, Margie Martignetti, and Nicole Martignetti (a Medford Public Schools alumna) observe.
Mrs. Duffy and Rocco Cieri observing Mike Motola-Barnes and Rob Parent working with students.
Mr. Tucci joining in the experiment with Camden Houghton and Mrs. Duffy’s students
Mrs. Taylor observing Gabe Hollings and her students
MIDE engineers introducing themselves and the experiment.
Becker Aqwatty works with the 6th graders.