THATCHER, Ariz. — Eastern Arizona College welcomed 24 elementary-age students from the San Carlos Forestry Natural Resource Youth Practicum to Discovery Park for a morning of hands-on science activities earlier this summer.

The practicum combines scientific principles and cultural heritage to help prepare young people to become future leaders.

“These boys and girls were a lot of fun . . .They were excited to learn about energy—and to get a little shock from the static electricity—and they asked a lot of great questions.”

During the first lesson, students used a Van de Graaff generator—commonly called an “electro-ball”—to learn about static electricity and how it relates to everyday experiences, from lightning during storms to the shock caused by walking across carpet and touching a doorknob. Demonstrations included levitating an aluminum pie plate and illuminating a fluorescent bulb to illustrate electric fields and electrical discharge.

For the final demonstration, the students formed a human chain to experience the accumulation and release of a mild static charge.

The second lesson introduced the electromagnetic spectrum through ultraviolet-sensitive beads. Students made bracelets using beads that remain clear indoors but change to a variety of colors when exposed to sunlight, allowing them to see the effects of otherwise invisible ultraviolet wavelengths.

The lesson also explored the sun’s essential role in sustaining life, driving Earth’s weather and keeping the planet habitable.

“These boys and girls were a lot of fun,” said Paul Anger, director of EA’s Discovery Park. “They were excited to learn about energy—and to get a little shock from the static electricity—and they asked a lot of great questions.”

For more information about EA Discovery Park, call (928) 428-6260, email discoverypark@eac.edu or visit www.eac.edu/discoverypark.