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  • West Parish student Emily-Rose Lane examines a sand clock during "The Big Fat Science Show" held at the school Wednesday. More photos on page 7. The show, which is visiting all the elementary schools in Gloucester, features great inventions through the ages, from arrowheads to chain mail, motors to quill pens, maps to sextants. West Parish student Emily-Rose Lane examines a sand clock during "The Big Fat Science Show" held at the school Wednesday. More photos on page 7.

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  • Max Vieira, left, feels what it's like to wear about 50 pounds of Roman armor during the show. At right is Derek Ellms.

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  • West Parish second-graders Charlie Groleau, left, and Peter Giadano feel the texture of a topographical map during "The Big Fat Science Show" held at the school yesterday.

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  • Students La'Neisha Jenkins and Jack Derian examine a sterling engine during a presentation of inventions at their school yesterday. show features great inventions from throughout the ages from arrowheads to metal armor, maps and motors to kaleidescopes and lasers. The program will be going to all the Gloucester elementary schools. Students La'Neisha Jenkins and Jack Derian examine a sterling engine during a presentation of inventions at their school yesterday.

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  • West Parish Elementary School students, including Joshua Greeke, upper left, examine and learn about chain mail held by Christos Brennan of Gloucester. Science Show" held at the school on Wednesday. The show features great inventions from throughout the ages from arrowheads to metal armor, maps and motors to kaleidescopes and lasers. The program will be going to all the Gloucester elementary schools. West Parish Elementary School students, including Joshua Greeke, upper left, examine and learn about chain mail held by Christos Brennan of Gloucester.

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  • Student Marcus Martin tries out a bow during a science show held at his school on Wednesday. The show, which features great inventions over the ages, is visiting all the elementary schools in Gloucester. Allegra Boverman/Gloucester Daily Times photos Student Marcus Martin tries out a bow during a science show held at his school on Wednesday. The show, which features great inventions over the ages, is visiting all the elementary schools in Gloucester.

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  • Allegra Boverman/Gloucester Daily Times Student Alexia De Coste examines a sextant during yesterday's show that featured great inventions from throughout the ages, from arrowheads to metal armor, maps to motors, quill pens to kaleidoscopes. The show is visiting all elementary schools in Gloucester. Allegra Boverman/Gloucester Daily Times

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November 28, 2012

'Big fat science' at West Parish

Inventions connect for West Parish kids during event

By Allegra Boverman Staff Writer

Students at West Parish Elementary School Wednesday were treated to a laser show set to music, then immediately immersed themselves in examining and even trying on some of the world’s great inventions during the “Big Fat Science Show.”

The presentation allowed students to handle arrowheads and other simple tools from the Stone Age, compare and contrast the Roman and Greek styles of metal armor with medieval chain mail and modern bulletproof vests. Some students tried on the Roman-style armor, which included a breastplate, shield and helmet, weighing in at about 50 pounds.

Told the weight of metal covering her, second-grader Adrianna Snow exclaimed that she was “too young” for that. Pupils were also observing the size, shape, artistic touches and functions of the armor and weaponry.

Kaleidoscopes were on display, along with other examples of optical illusions. There was also a microscope available for use, and even an old-view camera son display.

Pupils got close to topographical maps of New England, bows and arrowheads, timekeeping and navigational devices such as compasses and sextants. They could also practice writing with quill pens and inks — with ink quickly mopped up from that table, and arms and faces smeared in green, magenta and black.

Finally, there was the Age of Machines table, exhibiting several types of motors, including a sterling and a hero’s engine.

The program will be visiting all the Gloucester elementary schools.

Allegra Boverman is the chief photographer and a staff writer for the Gloucester Daily Times. She can be reached at 978-283-7000 x3448 and at aboverman@gloucestertimes.com.

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