The wonder of science: The Funhouse’s 10th annual Science Fair coincides with Doktor Kaboom! appearance

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By Colleen Smith Summers • March 23, 2011 3:46 pm
Students at last year’s science fair enjoying the “Bubble Wall.”
Students at last year’s science fair enjoying the “Bubble Wall.”

Behind every modern item is a secret: how it functions.

This year’s Funhouse Science Fair is asking kids to “Show Us How It Works” with just about anything: headphones, radios, matches, glasses, soap – you name it.

“We have a lot of science demonstrations and sometimes an entire class will enter,” said Funhouse assistant director Krista Bouchey. “The energy surrounding this is a lot of fun.”

The 10th Annual Funhouse Science Fair will be held Saturday, March 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. Around 70 kids generally participate, setting up exhibits and checking out demonstrations like a bed of nails, the bubble wall, a ruben’s tube, and home-made fireworks. Judges are 10 local scientists called “wizards.”

“They talk with the kids and give their input,” Bouchey said.

All school-age children are welcome to sign up and if kids need ideas, the Funhouse has a library of science books and willing staff to help find the perfect project. For downloadable rules and sign-up forms visit the Funhouse Web site at www.thefunhouse.org.

For the fifth year in a row The Funhouse is awarding $2,000 in scholarships to the top three high school or middle school student entries. Awards and science prizes will also be given to all participants, including the prized best-of-show “Ritchie Moore Rocket Ship of Wonder” award.

“The fair is free and open to the public so even if you don’t have kids, stop by and join in the fun,” Bouchey said.

Doktor Kaboom! to appear at Orcas Center the same weekend

Orcas Center planned the appearance of Doktor Kaboom! to coincide with science fair weekend. During his one-man, interactive variety show, Doktor Kaboom! performs feats of experimentation that demonstrate principles of science taught at the elementary and middle school levels.

He will be on the Orcas Center stage on Saturday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. His performance is presented with support from the TourWest program of the Western States Arts Federation with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Doktor Kaboom! (aka David Epley) will also make an appearance to present the Funhouse Science Fair awards.

Epley takes his audience on an educational tour of the modern scientific method, using humor and comedy while demonstrating spectacular applications of the physical sciences. Epley, who lives in Ohio, has two passions in life. Science, his first, took him to studies at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. His second, performing, became his career.