Students experiment with science

A group of about 30 Sisters Middle School students, led by science teacher Carol Packard, trekked to Bend Research's facility for one of the group's "Science Night" activities earlier this month.

Bend Research presents to a total of 300-400 Central Oregon students in grades three through six each year through Science Nights.

Students were treated to a variety of interactive demonstrations ranging from static electricity to the properties of liquid nitrogen.

What kids don't like to see stuff explode? One of the first demonstrations of the evening featured a hydrogen-filled balloon set to flame, which produced a fireball with a powerful concussion.

"That was awesome!" said one student.

"Kudos to Bend Research," said Packard. "It was obvious the employees enjoyed sharing science with the kids. We got to see some sophisticated scientists and equipment at work in a fun, hands-on way. How cool is that?"

The facility has its own electron microscope, which is something no schools have typical access to. The images viewed by the students were spectacular and elicited oohs and aaahs from the attendees, according to Packard.

Bend Research is also a main player in the annual Inventerprise Science Contest and the Bend Science Station, which provides programs for all fifth-grade students in the Central Oregon region. In addition, Bend Research donates laboratory supplies to science classrooms in area schools and offers regular tours of their facilities to students.

"We are lucky that the scientists at Bend Research are so willing to spend time after-hours with young people," said Packard. "We will continue to take advantage of this resource."