Argonne, Department of Energy Make Science Fun for Old Quarry Students

For the last few months, a group of students from Lemont’s have been finding themselves staying after school. But it’s not for detention.

Instead, the seventh-and eighth-graders have been hanging out with Old Quarry teachers Shqipe Osmani and Katie Janda, who volunteered their time so the students could participate in the Chicago Regional Science Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory.

In February, some of the students took part in the academic competition portion of the Science Bowl at Argonne, where they competed in a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style competition answering multiple-choice and short-answer questions relating to science and math facts or concepts.

“We started in October and prepared until February for the academic competition,” Osmani said. “The kids loved it. Every week they would get together and compete with each other.”

Last weekend, some other Old Quarry students took part in the model fuel cell car competition portion of the Science Bowl April 16 at equipment manufacturer Case New Holland in Burr Ridge. Participating Chicago-area middle school students were given a fuel cell, motor, and assorted parts to design and build a working, fuel-cell-powered model car.

"Racing is just part of the excitement," said Andrew Skipor, who leads Argonne's Division of Educational Programs. "Students not only compete in heats to see who has the fastest car, but also participate in an engineering design competition to show off their knowledge and understanding of the technology."

Prizes were awarded for the fastest cars, best design and best working knowledge of the principles for using fuel cells to power model vehicles.

“The students met with scientists and engineers and were questioned by them as to why they chose these materials for their car,” Janda said. “The students had to be able to support their car with research and data.”

While Old Quarry students did not win the fuel cell car competition, their enthusiasm was not dampened.

“They were so proud they had worked and troubleshooted,” Janda said. “Even when we were (at the competition) they continued to troubleshoot and modify. It was good to see them have a passion for really trying to make the car work and go faster and watch them develop teamwork.”

“Now they ask, ‘Can we make it even better now and race it at school?’” Osmani said. “They want to continue to improve the design. We like to see that, as teachers — the desire of students to be successful.”

The Model Fuel Cell Car Competition is also sponsored by CNH, the Chicago Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the University of Chicago.

Osmani lauds Argonne and the Department of Energy for providing the opportunity to the students.

“They were there to support and help facilitate the events and help guide the kids,” she said.