Egg-citing opportunity granted to students
Siemens scientists give $500 award to Parsons Elementary School
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Parsons Elementary School received a $500 grant from the Siemens engineering company to go toward their math and science programs.

According to Lauren Finnegan, the math and science coordinator for Parsons and Livingston Park elementary schools, one of her student's parents, who is an employee of Siemens, reached out to all four district grammar schools during a community service effort. Finnegan said the fifthgrade students participated in an assembly last May in which scientists spoke about how science relates to the real world.

After the assembly, Finnegan said she chose an experiment for the children to do in their classes, with the assistance of the scientists. "I thought the kids would be really engaged by it," she said of the egg-drop challenge, in which the students would have to develop a way in which an egg falling off a 20-foot ladder would not crack.

Siemens provided thematerials, including tape, Popsicle sticks and a plastic bag. Six scientists went to the four classrooms and helped the students, somewho used the bag as a parachute, some who made a basket to hold the eggs and some who used the bag as a cushion.

"Our kidswere so innovative and excited about their ideas," Finnegan said. "It's really great to do something different and they were all united as a whole grade level …so they got together and shared ideas."

Because the scientists were so impressed with the students, Finnegan said they chose to nominate Parsons for the grant, which was received by the school in January. The award will go toward purchasing math games.

"I think it's a unique opportunity to see what kids learn these days … and also to teach what it's like out in the real world," she said. "We feel honored, and it's nice to be recognized for our innovative ideas, [especially] coming from such a diverse district."