In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. John Neumann Regional School hosted Science Tellers on Tuesday afternoon at the Palmerton campus.

Based in New Jersey, Science Tellers mixes storytelling with science to present both in a unique fashion.

“I think it is a nice way for children to learn how science and the language arts are related,” said Principal Mary Comensky. “I think it is a nice change of pace to see science in action.”

In a theatrical tone of voice, Science Teller Conrad Colon began the show by telling the story, “Aliens: Escape from Earth.” The students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade sat on the gymnasium floor listening and watching as he walked among them, sometimes with stringy goo and other times with an alien hand. With each twist and turn of the story, a new scientific element was added.

After the story was over, Colon introduced the students to the science behind the scenes and selected volunteers from the audience to help with the experiments.

First to join him were first-grader Mackenna Freehy and third-grader Shane Moyer. By using a potato and a big straw, Colon showed the students how air pressure can push an object into the air, sending it across the room, like the aliens flying in the story.

Then first-grader Cameron Gowin came up and helped Colon make a puddle of slimy goo, using calcium chloride, which is rock salt, some water and sodium alginate. A stringy substance developed in the goo, which delighted the students as they saw their classmates squirm as Colon came near them with it.

Fourth-grader Anna Truscott and kindergartner Wyatt Lobach helped him make the alien hand through the exothermic reaction of two chemicals combined in a plastic glove. The mixture creates polyurethane foam, which oozed out the top, dropping into the dish pan below the ring stand where it was clipped. In just a little time, it hardened. Colon said he would leave the alien hand with the principal so the students could visit it when they want.

Lastly, Colon called up six volunteers to help him illustrate the transfer of energy through wind, or in this case a leaf blower. The volunteers included: Connor Lawless, fifth grade; Sophia Papay, fourth grade; Seth Pompa, third grade; Marlee Rohrer, seventh grade; David Papay, first grade; and Lily Mantz, fifth grade. The “wind” blew their hair and toilet paper across the gym room.

“I have the best seat in the house,” Colon said. “I get to see the audience react, all along learning, wows and gasps at materials they are familiar with. They react to it in such an amazing way.”