Elementary Education Students Showcase Science Skills

University of Idaho students studying elementary education recently demonstrated their creativity and scientific prowess at a science fair held at North Idaho College. The fair, organized by clinical professor Corey McKenna, offered these future teachers a chance to explore science in a hands-on way. Allie Johnson, set to graduate in December 2025, shared her experiment on marker chromatography. She found that different colored inks traveled varying distances, with some surprising results like pink and purple hues emerging from brown markers. Ava Mendoza, who was homeschooled, conducted an experiment on crystal formation and was surprised by the horizontal growth of crystals along a string dipped in sugar water. Emma McIntire, another student, tested household items to find the best way to clean pennies, with cranberry juice and apple cider vinegar proving most effective. This science fair experience not only prepared these future educators for their own classrooms but also gave them a taste of what it's like to be a student engaging in science projects.