From caped crusaders to radioactive spiders, the Esplora Interactive Science Centre was recently a buzz of activity where young Superhero buffs and science enthusiasts, were awarded prizes in the first edition of the Superheroes in Science Project Competition. The Superheroes in Science project's aim is to promote STEM among Maltese students and youth through Superheroes.
Twins Kieran Scicluna & Cayden Scicluna from St Thomas More Zejtun Primary B, Year 6 placed first in the Juniors group with their project 'Storm'. In their presentation the students connected it with the renowned X-Woman 'Storm' who has the power of weather control from the X-Men Comic Book series. The students' project was comprehensive, with well -presented charts explaining the steps taken in a series of experiments gathering information about the weather, cloud formation and if it can ever be controlled. Using everyday household items creating fog inside a bottle, a rain cloud in a jar, to form a tornado and to emulate superhero lighting.
Amelie Calleja, from St Monica School, was the runner-up in the junior group for her project 'Changing Colours Like Mystique'. In her presentation Miss Calleja explained how Mystique is a super woman with blue skin that can change colour and shape to resemble someone else. She explained that she researched how chameleons, cuttlefish and octopi change colour thanks to special cells called chromatophores. During her experiment, Miss Calleja aimed to test if a multicellular organism, e.g. a flowering plant, Chrysanthemum, can change colour if its stem is submerged in water coloured with different dyes. A control plant was treated with no dye. The Chrysanthemums did change colour equally with both colour dyes.
Samuel Borg Barthet, Simon Grech and Jamie Scerri Richard placed first in the seniors group with their project 'Spider Silk'. During their presentation, prior to the prize winning ceremony, the students explained how just like spider-man, 'real life' spiders are able to create silken threads made of protein and produced in special silk glands making it one of the most incredible substances on Earth. Through their research and spider silk chart the students explained that no man-made fibres can match spider silk's strength and it is highly tensile, stretching up to six times its length before snapping.
Zach Hamilton was the runner-up in the seniors group with his science project 'Unbreakable Skin'. Zack connected his project to Luke Cage who gains the powers of unbreakable skin after being subjected to an experimental procedure which fortifies skin tissue. Luke Cage becomes invincible, with extremely dense skin and muscular tissue which makes him highly resistant to injury. Zack compared this superpower to the incredible tensile strength carbon nanotube exhibit under stress. After researching about a suit made of with this particular configuration of carbon he argued a real superhero with Luke Cage's capabilities is not that far from reality!
Each of the student's projects were unique in their presentation, content and approach to the scientific aspect of the subject matter. During the presentations the children were enthralled and showed their enthusiasm by waving hands constantly to ask a multitude of questions to the speakers.
Euro Media Forum invited Year 5, 6, 7, 8,9,10 students, with a keen interest in Superheroes and Science, to submit Science projects as part of the Superheroes in Science Project. In this competition students can connect their knowledge of science with the world of superheroes and supervillains. Submitted projects can be in the form of an experiment, a model or a visual presentation, accompanied by a brief write up or report. Students can participate individually or as a team of a maximum of 3 students. Each individual or team can represent either the school or a NGO (such as scouts, girl guides, clubs, etc.). Participation is free and on a voluntary basis. Further information related to the 2019 project and guidelines for teachers and parents, is available at http://superheroscience.info/ The project was supported by the United States Embassy, Air Malta, Embassy Cinemas, Toyland, Malta Geek Paradise, Mediterraneo Marine Park, Agenda Bookshop.