CDC brings parents, children together at science fair

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander A. Burnett
21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs
Sgt. Brandon Allums, NCO assigned to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, helps his son, Khalil, with the creation of “Rainbow Ice” during a science fair Aug. 8 at the Vogelweh Child Development Center.
Sgt. Brandon Allums, NCO assigned to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, helps his son, Khalil, with the creation of “Rainbow Ice” during a science fair Aug. 8 at the Vogelweh Child Development Center.

During a four-day weekend in Europe, service members have many options on how to spend their leisure time. Some choose to travel, some choose to visit local historic sites and some choose to stay at home and relax. For some members of the KMC, a four-day weekend meant an afternoon of science.

Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command and other local military units visited the Vogelweh Child Development Center Aug. 8 to assist their children with various experiments during a science fair.

Parents and children alike were brought together with scientific ventures that included dropping mints into soda bottles to create a pop-volcano, placing oil in water then adding dish soap to see it rush to the sides, and making raisins dance in a pool of lemon-lime carbonated beverage.

Children also made vinegar baking soda volcanoes with clay, rainbow ice with food coloring and their very own pieces of art by dropping paint-soaked sponges onto a sheet of paper. Amateur scientists, both young and old, smiled with each experiment.

“Spending time with our kids while they learn and go through these processes is a wonderful and fun opportunity,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lyvon White, 21st TSC’s 421st Multi-Medical Battalion, 30th Medical Brigade maintenance officer, after making rainbow ice with his daughter, Skylar. “Being able to come here and perform these little science experiments together is good for the family.”

As parents and children made their rounds to each science station, the employees of the CDC followed along to ensure all of the experiments were done correctly. They also kept a close eye on each experiment to avoid any unnecessary mess.

Although the event lasted only an hour, both parents and CDC teachers expressed how much they enjoyed the event and the need for similar activities in the future.

“Twice a month we host a parent involvement day where parents can get involved with what their kids are learning,” said Krysta Maybury, teacher at the CDC and wife of Staff Sgt. David Maybury, NCO assigned to the 21st TSC’s 7th Civil Support Command. “We would love to do more fun events like this, because it not only strengthens the bond between parents and children, but also enhances the learning environment for these kids.”