Savannah River Nuclear Solutions engineer Steve Watson helps Millbrook Elementary School students create battery-powered Lego windmills during "Science Enrichment Day" at a school near the Savannah River Site.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions engineer Steve Watson helps Millbrook Elementary School students create battery-powered Lego windmills during "Science Enrichment Day" at a school near the Savannah River Site.

AIKEN, S.C. – Scientists and engineers with EM's cleanup contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) piqued the curiosity of students during the recent “Science Enrichment Day” at a local elementary school.

   Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) employees offered the Millbrook Elementary School students a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) hands-on activities.

   "I think it's incredible that SRS is partnering with us, bringing science and math to our students in a whole new light, enabling them to see the careers that involve these fields. They were extremely excited about what we were learning," said Diane Hyatt, a kindergarten teacher at the school.

   Savannah River National Laboratory scientist Fabienne Johnson shared her knowledge with the students in hopes of making a positive impact.

   “It's really cool to see the way their eyes light up and experience their enthusiasm,” Johnson said.

   The array of activities involved everything from slime and magnets to dancing spiders and the science of fire. Kindergarteners were challenged to create a battery-operated windmill made of Legos.

   "I think it's really great that people from SRS came here today to help us and tell us what they do," fifth-grader Dakota Cullum said.

   "This has all been interesting," added Ryan Crapse, another fifth-grader. "We got to incorporate science into something fun, play with stuff called slime, and learn about internet safety."