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Buchanan Science Club at Channel 7 learning about weather forecasting and visiting the weather center at the station.

Science! For most kids the subject is interesting because bugs and rocks are cool, but by upper elementary they are ready for more (if they are attracted to the subject.) Buchanan Elementary School has a science club for 4th and 5th graders that has been in existence for over 35 years proving that indeed science is a popular subject! It is possible that several generations who have lived in the area have participated in the school's Science Club.

On Science Day the students remain after school and lead teacher Kathleen Moira Sloan noted that very few 4th and 5th graders catch the bus on those afternoons because so many stay for science. In Science Club they use hands on learning and have opportunities to explore scientific methodology to go a step beyond the classroom. So what do they study?

This school year 83 Buchanan Elementary students meet once per month for Science Club. They have studied cells for one thing and weather and with SOL's around the corner, the extra interest in science is bound to be reinforcement for what these children need to know. Better yet, the interest in science may encourage students to one day grow up and go into one of the many careers that are science related. For now, most of all the students have fun.

Mrs. Joy Cook one of the originators of the Science Club and a teacher at the school, scheduled a field trip with Channel 7 to the Weather Center. Weather man Brent Watts is a Buchanan Elementary alumnus. She was interested to hear that James River High School will be getting a Weather Station from the television station. They do talk about the weather and have people come every other year, she said.

Students wait for the weather center tour.

Cook said that in the past they had been learned about the Jason Project through Mrs. Barbara Kolb a science teacher at James River High School, have gone to the Science Museum, invited in professors from local colleges and many more exciting things have occurred over the years.

In May the group will travel to the North Carolina Zoo to see the natural setting exhibits and animals from all over the world. Said Cook, "It will be the highlight of the year!"