The elementary-school science fair is nowhere near as common as it used to be – so Pathfinder K-8 is excited that it’s continuing to have one each year. Tonight, the cafeteria at Pathfinder’s new site was abuzz with projects by about 100 students, and most of the young scientists stood nearby, ready to talk about them – like Anthony Giomi (above), who enlisted the help of his brother Xavier and sister Lydia to study the performance of certain types of bubble gum. He wasn’t doing a demonstration during the fair, but others were – like the group with “Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid” – cornstarch, water and coloring, firming up as it was squished hand-to-hand:

We got a whirlwind tour from longtime Pathfinder parent/volunteer Eric Baer, who’s a scientist himself and was judging tonight’s exhibits – those who get the orange certificates you see on this next one, get to move on to the state tournament:

Winners in the state tournament in turn get to move on to a tournament in Washington, D.C., according to Baer.