‘Mad Science Nights’ spark curiosity of students, families in Calaveras County | News

District Superintendent Tom Hoskins welcomed students and families at both events, expressing his excitement for the educational and community-building opportunities they provided. As families left, they received a free Mentos and soda science experiment kit — a take-home version of one of the evening’s most popular demonstrations. These events were made possible through the Math Science and Computer Science (MSCS) Grant from the Calaveras County Office of Education, which supports family engagement and hands-on learning in math science, and computer science.

The event featured numerous science stations, each designed to ignite students’ curiosity. Activities included building a marble run, exploring owl pellets, Lego coding, chess, circuit connection, Lego robotics, a planet station, magnet station, and secret message station, among others. Students were guided by volunteers from Bret Harte High School’s Forestry Club, who assisted at the various stations, ensuring everyone had the chance to learn and participate. Mr. Castro, a science teacher from Bret Harte, was also on hand to lend his expertise and guide families through the activities.

Local food vendors, Cascabel and Los Pinos, were on-site at both events, offering dinner options for attendees.

“These events are a fantastic way to get students excited about science and learning,” Hoskins said. “It’s wonderful to see families engaging with these experiments and activities together.”

Families shared their feedback through a survey, highlighting what they enjoyed most about the event. One parent noted, “The fact that everyone in the family could join in and the variety of experiments.” Another said, “We enjoyed the event immensely — what a great way to get kids engaged with STEM!” A third commented, “The excitement around the Mentos experiment helps kids get excited about science; it was pure joy!”

Mad Science Nights were a collaborative effort between Vallecito Union School District schools, community volunteers, and local high school students, showcasing the power of a community-centered initiative. The survey’s positive feedback has inspired the district to plan a Family Art Night in the spring, further demonstrating VUSD’s dedication to offering engaging, educational experiences that connect students and their families to the world of science.