Midway Physics Day brings science to life for nearly 2,000 students at the State Fair
COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) — The South Carolina State Fair isn't just about rides, food and fun.
Every year, thousands of students from across the state get the chance to turn the fairgrounds into their very own science lab.
Tuesday marked the 31st annual Midway Physics Day, hosted by the University of South Carolina's Department of Physics and Astronomy.
This year, nearly 2,000 students from 45 schools across South Carolina attended the event, getting a firsthand look at how science works outside the classroom.
USC professors, graduate students and volunteers set up several interactive demonstrations, covering everything from physics and astronomy to experiments using liquid nitrogen.
Instead of just reading about scientific concepts in a textbook, students had the opportunity to see them up close, ask questions and even take part in some of the experiments themselves.
The demonstrations were designed to make complicated scientific ideas easier to understand while showing students how science plays a role in the world around them.
Organizers say one of their biggest goals is to help students realize that physics isn't just about memorizing formulas or solving equations, but something they experience in their everyday lives.
"We like to come out here every year to show off these little demos and encourage students to learn a little about physics and astronomy." said Mitchell Halley, a graduate student at USC.
"These little demos kind of excite people, they're fun to watch, they're fun to interact with, and it's a chance to show people the kind of things, the fun things you can do when you're not in the classroom at your desk."
For some schools, the event also provided an opportunity for students to connect with their classmates outside of their normal learning environment.
Michelle Bishop, with SC Whitmore School, said the experience was especially meaningful for her students because they attend a virtual high school.
"The kids can experience all the cool physics experiments and concepts that they have here, and so they can meet each other and kind of form just a little bit more of a community since they don't see each other face to face every day," Bishop said.
Beyond the experiments, organizers hope the event encourages students to become more curious about science and explore subjects they might not have considered before.
By bringing science out of the classroom and making it more interactive, Midway Physics Day aims to show students that learning can be both educational and entertaining.
And while the main goal is to get students excited about science, organizers also hope the experience will inspire some to eventually pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly known as STEM.
For many of the students who attended, the day offered a chance to see that science is much more than something they study in school.
It's something happening all around them, every single day.