Category: Science News

Science School Assemblies

This fall, Getting Excited About Science is on the move again.  Since 1994, Steve Belliveau has been using his education (B.S. Engineering) and background in prestidigitation, to educate students, teachers, and their friends and families, about the wonderful world of science.  This multifaceted show brings heady concepts such as friction, chemistry, simple machines, electricity and magnetism, air and water pressure, sound and color, and energy conservation, down to earth.  With music, audience participation, and humor, easy to view and understand equipment is used to demonstrate the wonder of science, and its place in the everyday.  What is even better, is that this innovator in the area of science school assemblies can be seen across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri.

Anyone who is hoping to see this science show in September 2013, can catch Steve Belliveau is going to be a part of the Lemont Park District and their 3rd annual Family Science Night on September 26, Museum of Science and Industry Chicago (4 shows) on September 28, and Oak Park District Fall Festival on September 29.  Getting Excited About Science participates in over 300 school assemblies and other events, throughout 11 states, each year. As a result, it has been deemed as the highest rated science show in the Mid-West.  This long running show has brought the whimsy and excitement of children’s television science programming to science school assemblies.  Kids can actually interact with some of the materials and gadgets, while learning how they work.

This fast-paced, 45-minute show takes the pressure off school officials during school assemblies, since it comes with its own equipment, posters, and professional sound system, and provides teacher’s guides.  When it comes to larger groups, a jumbo screen with stage cameras is set up to enable viewing for all audience members.  For a more hands on experience, there are Getting Excited About Science workshops, which like the shows, are geared toward the age range of the students in attendance.  These workshops provide an opportunity for students to learn how to work in teams, observe, and improve the skills of reading and following directions.  In this format, students will become familiar with a variable in a controlled experiment, inference, cause and effect, and keeping a record of results.

Steve Belliveau believes that learning about science can be fun, and that is what makes this science school assembly one of the top in the nation.  Students acquire all sorts of information and skills without it feeling like work.  Kindergartners and first graders will have access to such workshop topics as the color wheel and the mixing of colors, penny drop, static electricity, symmetry drawing, light and optics, roto copters, racing cans and wheels, mineral and fossil sorting, iron fillings and magnets, and clay boats.  Second and third graders will have the fun of many of the previously listed activities plus electromagnets, electric circuits, compass making, sound vibrations, and mini rockets.  Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders will be treated to many of the previous topics, along with pendulums, potential – kinetic energy, the heart – stethoscope – pulse points, Newton’s 2^nd Law of Motion, acid – base tests, and ballistics car.

Going to see a Getting Excited About Science show at one of
the festivals or events, is a great way to decide whether or not this type of science show is right for a school. Steven Belliveau has also been featured on the Bozo the Clown Show and is a member of the National Science Teachers’ Association.  It is hard for a school to say “no” to inviting this show and/or workshop to entertain and educate its students.  Why not break up the everyday learning routine?  Bring in a show that has been engaging minds of all ages for almost 20 years.  Learning can be, and should be a joy. When young minds are exposed to science in an enjoyable way, they are much more likely to continue seeking knowledge in that area.

Many schools can make sure that when this long running science show is booked for their school assemblies, highly regarded, top quality education has been brought to the table.  Students seeing and participating in fun, real world applications of scientific principles is what this interactive show brings to each venue.  New topics are added yearly, and students and faculty will be treated to both new and classic demonstrations.  That makes inviting this
show back year after year a worthwhile investment in the education of Elementary through Jr. High students of any school on this tour’s state range.  There are videos, photos and references to assist interested schools in making the decision to book Getting Excited About Science for their assemblies. This show is not about flash and no substance, or a dry lecture experience.  This is the way to go for schools who want to breathe fresh air into their curricula, and foster student interest into the subject of science.

Let Steven Belliveau bring his magical science show to town and unravel the mystery of how things work.   There is enough steam and smoke for those who have mad scientist leanings, and enough safety for parents and teachers to relax while their charges learn.  Those who have been privileged to spend time watching and playing through Getting Excited About Science, are more than willing to do it again.  After this show rolls through town, the moans of despair that might usually denote student feeling about the announcement of science school assembly, will turn into cheers of delight.  Stop being envious of children’s programming on public television and bring that type of programming to the school, live.  Families who homeschool and live in certain areas, can bring their students out for a fun family science lesson at one of the many venues that have booked this unique educational event.  Even though this is aimed at the younger set, people of all ages will have a great time.  Anyone will walk away from this tour a little wiser, and with a big smile.