Parent shares science skills with fourth graders

Paper helicopters danced through the air in the Logan Township Elementary School library on Friday, and homemade airplanes swept across suspended wires.

But Logan's fourth graders weren't taking a break from their schoolwork as they watched the flying objects. They were studying science, with the help of Gary Ross, an engineering planner for Lockheed Martin.

Ross mixed in Newton's laws of motion and aerodynamics as he shared his love of engineering and science with students in the Gloucester County school for a third year.

"It inspires me," said Ross, whose twin 10-year-old sons attend the school. "These fourth graders are learning things that 10 years ago would have been taught to children much older. . . . They really are bright kids."

His visit was part of a Lockheed Martin program in which parents and volunteers will visit classrooms between now and National Space Day on Friday. The presentations, ranging from flight to advanced robotics, stress the real-world applications of math and science.

Superintendent Patricia Haney expressed gratitude to Ross for his contribution to the students.

"In today's world of budget cuts, we feel it is critical to get community members who use math and science in their daily lives into the classroom to communicate how important they are in the real world," Haney said. "We are beginning to rely on parents like Mr. Ross to come in and help make these connections."

Debbie McKnight, a fourth-grade teacher who helped organize the event, said, "Hands-on learning can be so much more beneficial than just reading from a book.

"This year, we haven't studied flight, so I hoped that this would refresh their memories," she said. "I was so happy to see when faced with the math problems, boom, they got it."

Twins Ben and Matt Ross were overjoyed that their father was able to speak to them and their friends.

"We practice experiments at home," said Ben. "All of our friends were excited about Dad coming. They kept asking us what fun things we were going to do."

Matt added that the helicopter-building contest was his favorite part of the event because he enjoys conducting experiments and figuring out how things work.

Ten-year-old Kareem Rutledge enjoyed his third year in attendance.

"The presentation helped me learn about airplanes and aerodynamics," he said. "I always learn a lot when we do these kinds of programs."

Ross also stressed the importance of other parents' coming into the classroom to share their skills with the children.

"They would make time for anyone if they were willing to come in," Ross said. "With the way budgets are, certain things just aren't going to continue to be brought into the classroom. It is our responsibility to help."