Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 13, 1992 TAG: 9202130119
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
SCIENCE WIZARDRY EXCITES MONTGOMERY PUPILS
Want to see about 200 kids wave their hands in the air and scream "Me! Me!"Just ask Jeff Fletcher, a Mr. Wizard assistant, to ask, "Who wants to be an airplane pilot?"
Or better yet, let him ask for volunteers to help blow up a mini-Hindenburg balloon. At least 300 kids will scream for that one.
That was the setting Wednesday at Christiansburg Middle School as the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders - and visiting fifth-graders from Christiansburg Elementary School - watched Fletcher perform his "Invisible World of Science" experiments.
Fletcher is an assistant to Mr. Wizard, the scientist-magician who teaches children science through experiments and hands-on activities on "Mr. Wizard's World," a program on Nickelodeon cable television.
Fletcher gave two performances at the school, each about 45 minutes long. His scientific experiments - which resemble magic tricks - were popular with all the pupils packed onto the bleachers in the gym.
There were seven sections to each performance ranging from the loud and flaming experiments like the exploding mini-Hindenburg balloon or the high flying rocket, made with a 16-ounce plastic soda bottle.
Sixth-grader Thomas Saffle, 11, said the rocket was the most exciting part of the show. Fletcher launched it from half court and it almost hit the rim of the basketball hoop, before landing safely against a wall.
"But I think all the experiments were interesting," Thomas said. "And then I also learned about air pressure and how helium blows up and just basically air and everything."
Thomas' friend Timothy Nelson, 12, also in sixth-grade, said he learned "that you can have fun and learn about science at the same time.
"I also enjoyed the reaction for hydrogen when you mix zinc with an acid together" causing the mini-Hindenburg to explode, he said.
"We really want to bring plenty of life to the science program," said Principal Waide Robinson. "We want to make science interesting. If it's not interesting, they won't learn."
Robinson added that the fifth-graders from Christiansburg Elementary School came as guests to "gain interest in science and get them acquainted with the middle school since they'll be here next year."
Thomas said he was glad the fifth-graders got to visit the school. "I know how they felt," he said. "I was there last year."
"Mr. Wizard's World" has become so popular that it has expanded beyond the realm of television. Mr. Wizard now has 13 assistants - the equivalents of Santa's helpers - who travel to schools and science fairs throughout the United States. The assistants are busy all year long.
"I usually do about 10 to 12 shows a week," said Fletcher, who has been a Mr. Wizard assistant since June 1991. "My territory is the northeastern United States. I've been in Virginia since the beginning of this month."
Fletcher says he's never met Mr. Wizard, but most of the other 12 assistants have at one time or another.
"He sends us letters and we communicate, but we're on the road all the time and he's filming the show in Canada," Fletcher said. "And I've only been working here since June, so I'm sure I'll meet him."
After his show at Christiansburg Middle School, Fletcher was heading to Margaret Beeks Elementary School, the only other school in the area that signed up for the tour.
He says he really enjoys his work and gets to travel all over the place. Although he does all his work alone, he said he still carries "a little teddy bear for company."