LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 28, 2000

DESTREHAN – Science can seem a boring subject to some schoolchildren, so it’s Mr. Wizard’s job to make it exciting.St. Charles Borromeo Elementary hosted a supermarket sciencepresentation Monday morning for middle school students, giving the children a spark for their imaginations by using simple items found in most households.

“It’s something every kid can do,” Jeff Haynes, a Mr. Wizard assistant, said.”They were very bright and very well behaved here.”The Mr. Wizard program, developed by ECA Educational Services, a division ofEntertainment Consultants of America Inc., sends people to schools providinglive demonstrations of basic scientific principles of light, motion and sound.

Presented in more than 15,000 schools across the country, the Mr.Wizardprograms include “Everyday Energy in Action,” “Science in the Home,” “Science Challenges” and, this day’s event, “Supermarket Science.”Haynes showed how to make music with water glasses, demonstrated the strength of an eggshell by (gently!) placing weights on top of it and explained how a grain elevator can explode, especially relevant for the Destrehan area with its two grain elevators.

Haynes added that most schools have internet access and well-prepared teachers, but sometimes the method of combining entertainment with education in a live demonstration can reach students like nothing else.

“Mr. Wizard” is a creation of Don Herbert, originator of the long-runningchildren’s science television program.

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