On January 24, students at Hendricks Avenue Elementary participated in Super Science Spectacular, an event that gave every student the opportunity to learn about science by performing or watching scientific experiments, and listening to resource speakers who work in science-related fields.
This is the third year that Hendricks has offered Super Science Spectacular, and Principal Jayne Owens-Thompson says the event has helped strengthen her students in science.
"Our science mean scale scores have gone up significantly since we began Super Science Spectacular," Owens-Thompson said. "Students love science and these experiments provide concrete experiences to help them understand key concepts."
During Super Science Spectacular, students traveled to chemistry, biology, earth science and physics rooms to participate in experiments in each subject area. As they traveled to each room, students documented their science adventures in their 'Passport to the World of Science.'
Learning about science did not stop in the classroom; as students moved around the school, they also were able to view the science displays created by elementary, middle and high schools students and their families that were lining the halls at Hendricks. 
About 60 parent volunteers were at the school to take part in the activities. Additionally, students from Kirby-Smith Middle School, a magnet school that emphasizes mathematics, science and technology, were on hand to assist with the experiments.
When not participating in an experiment, students listened to resource speakers, including the St. Johns Riverkeeper, a representative from St. Johns Water Management and a rehabilitation doctor, who addressed how their careers are related to science.
Other Duval County public schools, including John Stockton Elementary, will also be sponsoring a Super Science Spectacular event. Students from Lakeshore Middle and Paxon High School will be on campus to assist the Stockton Elementary students.
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