(Photo by Amber Phipps) Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School file into the gymnasium for a science demonstration presented by COSI on Friday.

Fifth and sixth grade students at Marietta Elementary School were paid a visit from COSI with a science experiment demonstration Friday morning.

As part of the event, students also received the COSI Connects American Innovation Kits, which will arrive at the school Monday.

COSI, in partnership with AT&T, selected Marietta for the opportunity which was finalized over recent months by staff and COSI personnel.

“They contacted us and said we had been selected and we were super excited about the opportunity,” said MES Principal Brittany Schob. “This came at the perfect timing because they have S.T.E.A.M. (Science, technology, engineering, arts, math) in class so it was great to collaborate with them for things that they’re already learning in school and to expand on that here with these demonstrations.”

The demonstration, presented by COSI Director of Offsite Education Kevin Seymour, mixed liquid solutions to create gas which elicited excited reactions from the students.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The COSI Connects American Innovation Kits include seven S.T.E.A.M. focused activities for students.

Students were encouraged to answer Seymour’s questions about chemical reactions and air pressure during the demonstration.

“This goes right along with our curriculum and topics they’re learning in class so it’s great for them to have these hands-on opportunities,” said Schob. “I was super excited to see their reactions.”

Schob said the kids were engaged and she’s looking forward to getting them their kits by the beginning of the week. She said this is the perfect time since it’s right before holiday break and they can have something fun and educational to do while they’re away from school.

Seymour said the kits are inspired by the America 250 celebration coming up next year. The kits include seven activities focused on major U.S. innovations like rockets, the Statue of Liberty and prosthetics.

“They’ll get to launch their own little rocket at home,” said Seymour. “And there’s one that talks about the Statue of Liberty’s torch and they get to recreate the torch.”

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Kevin Seymour conducts a science experiment for the students at Marietta Elementary School on Friday.

For nearly 25 years with COSI, Seymour has been bringing science directly to the students. He said the kits are important because it keeps the kids engaged even when they’re not in a classroom setting.

“Science is everywhere and science is for everyone,” he said. “We want to make sure it’s accessible.”

Seymour said it never gets old seeing how the students react to the science demonstrations.

“I think it’s great the schools will allow us to come and do something like this, I know it’s a minor interruption to the school day for the teachers but it’s just so impactful,” he said.

Seymour said COSI does a really good job making science fun and enjoyable for all ages.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Kevin Seymour and Brittany Schob pour liquid nitrogen into water to create water vapor and nitrogen gas during the COSI demonstration at Marietta Elementary School on Friday.

COSI was founded in 1964 by the Franklin County Historical Society and has provided engaging demonstrations for over 60 years.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Kevin Seymour pours liquid nitrogen into water with the help of Brittany Schob for the COSI presentation at Marietta Elementary School on Friday.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta Elementary School Principal Brittany Schob helps COSI Director of Offsite Education Kevin Seymour with a science experiment in the gymnasium on Friday.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Kevin Seymour watches as liquids react during his COSI demonstration at the Marietta Elementary School on Friday.