As part of Community Development Recreation's (CD-REC) Winter Olympics held on February 23, 2011, children from the Citizens for Citizens and YMCA after-school day care programs, as well as children from the community who were on winter school vacation, had a chance to learn science and have fun at the same time. Leigh Picard of Mad Science of Southern MA & RI held the attention of over 75 children for an hour as they learned about air and air pressure through a series of experiments and demonstrations. Mad Science teaches science in a way that engages imagination and hands-on learning. The event occurred following an hour of vigorous activity held that same morning. Research has demonstrated that new learning takes place more efficiently when it takes place following physical activity that promotes the growth of new neural connections. That's one reason why Leigh's mother, School Wellness Coordinator, Marcia Picard is working with Fall River School physical education staff to ensure that children have frequent opportunities to engage in vigorous activity as part of the school day. Click here for a 30-second video of the event. For more information about programs at CD-REC, contact program director Jamison Souza at 508-679-0922.

(Top row) Mad Science instructor Leigh Picard points to an inflated balloon and asks the children to describe their theories as to what would happen to the air if he were to let go of the balloon. (Middle row, left) Mr. Picard demonstrates the force of air pressure by asking two children to pull two plungers apart. (Middle row, center) Amy rides on a platform that blows air underneath to make the platform float above the floor. (Bottom row, left) Mr. Picard demonstrates the use of a pressure guage to remove the air from an empty soda bottle. (Bottom row, center and right) As Leigh's mother, Marcia Picard, watches from the bleachers, Leigh launches a tube of party streamers with compressed air at the close of the show.