Crowds come out for Science Night

Sparta — More than 100 people recently filled the Hilltop Country Day School foyer and gym for the school’s 17th Annual Science Night.
One of Hilltop’s most well-attended events, Science Night features an array of student-driven scientific projects, research and interactive demonstrations where middle school students in grades 5-8 showcase their knowledge to families, friends and faculty.
This year, people of all ages gathered at Hilltop where they not only learned from the students, but also participated in the various science activities and lessons. Science teacher Michael Umstead recalled it as being one of the most successful Science Nights yet.
“I am so proud of how well the students did,” he said. “They really come through; they work so hard leading up to this event and when Science Night arrives, they all do so great.”
From explaining potential and kinetic energy with propeller cars to creating a rainbow fire by mixing metal salts with ethanol, the students’ projects and experiments each offered a creative, new way to look at science. However, Umstead, who recently presented the idea of Science Night at the 40th Annual New Jersey Science Convention, emphasized how Science Night is more than just an ordinary science fair.
Instead, it is a connection to a larger curriculum that enables students to not only gain scientific knowledge, but utilize and sharpen a variety of other important skills such as public speaking, planning, researching and problem solving.
“They master organization skills; they practice how to collaborate in a group and how to meet a deadline,” he said. “There are so many different aspects they practice in addition to learning the science behind what they are researching.”
Science Night is just one component of Hilltop’s comprehensive curriculum that incorporates a dynamic mixture of science, technology, engineering, art and math into student projects, activities and programs. Earlier this year, Hilltop hosted an inaugural S.T.E.A.M. Expo and now features two new, innovative summer programs: Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead and Camp Apogee.