Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School students watch Seneca Valley junior Lena DiTullio create a foamy concoction known as “elephant's toothpaste.” The high school students visited to stir up interest in the upcoming science fair.

ZELIENOPLE — Students at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School received some inspiration Thursday for their upcoming science fair.

Students from kindergarten through fourth grade ventured down school halls to see five science fair exhibits demonstrated by students from Seneca Valley High School.

They were taught the basics of science, including research and experimentation.

“It takes away the intimidation of science,” said Rebecca Finch, high school molecular biology and anatomy teacher.

Each display used a different field of science including biology, chemistry and physics.

“It gets students excited for science,” assistant principal Tina Francis said. “It shows them different areas and gives them ideas.”

One exhibit devoted to chemistry demonstrated the effects of copper chloride on aluminum soda cans and the mixture of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap and yeast.

In the soda can experiment, students tried to break an empty soda can in half with no success. However, a second can was filled with copper chloride and warm water that allowed it to be easily split.

In another experiment, known as “elephant’s toothpaste,” the mixture reacted and created a foamy mess.

“I love it. I want kids to feel the same way,” junior Madison Rush said.

“It’s fun to watch the reactions. They love it,” junior Lena DiTullio said. “It’s very rewarding.”

The mini science fair assemblies are meant to increase participation of elementary students in their science fair on April 3. Thursday’s assemblies also were meant to give students ideas.

About 150 students participate in the science fair each year.

“These are my future students,” Finch said. “This is giving them all levels of science fair programs.”