SCA students display art and science

Sisters Christian Academy's spring program "The Night at the Museum" was an eclectic blend of art and the physical sciences. The school's gymnasium was turned into a showcase of art and science displays.

The school is known for its history pageants; this was a different approach to hands-on learning.

"Our school's art teacher, Jessica Stevens, organized most of the art projects that teachers have been collecting from students over the months," said Principal Barbie Martin. "We wanted to do something different this time; art and science was a good combination."

By 6:15 p.m. there were 200 seats set up in the gym for the musical part of the program, and most were taken. Almost all of the Academy's 81 students were accounted for, either performing in front of family and friends or doing art and science activities.

The program began with Valerie Parry's preschool class standing up in front of the audience and reciting 12 Bible verses in unison.

One of the highlights from the students' musical performances included Gwen Philipsen's elementary class singing Mozart's "Hallelujah" in the round.

The audience was thrilled when Sondra Anderson's kindergarten class sang a German song, "Gruen, Gruen, Gruen."

The chairs were removed and folks got a chance to enjoy the showcases and visit the art and science theme-based classrooms with student demonstrations and exhibits.

Heather Commons' third- and fourth-grade room was themed "Flight at the Museum." The classroom was a bird lover's delight. Real birds nests, no longer used, were on display.

Another highlight was the kindergarten classroom themed "Hall of Biological Sciences." Outside of the classroom was a petting zoo, animals that the kindergarten and first-grade students brought in for the program, which included Guinea pigs, a rabbit, chickens and more.

"They were really excited to bring their actual pets from home," Sondra Anderson said.

The students were having so much fun educating Sisters folks about art and science that they didn't want to leave when 8 p.m. rolled around.