Curtis High School’s first Chemistry versus Physics Turkey Balloon Races took place November 22nd. This event which lasted all day was between Ms. Jackson’s physics classes and Ms. Pizzereli’s chemistry classes. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, students decorated paper turkeys and stuck them to balloons, which were inflated until it was time to race; when a physics student and a chemistry student each released the air at the same time, leaving the balloons to move along a string– the farthest and fastest winning. 

The second floor of the new wing was abuzz throughout the day as the chemistry students applied their knowledge of gas laws and the physics students with Newton’s third law of motion in order to better their chances. This was what Ms. Pizzarelli, who proposed the idea, Ms. Jackson, and Ms. Holzer, the AP of science at Curtis, all intended when deciding to go forth with this idea. In addition to a fun activity that would encompass both subjects, it engaged students as they applied their knowledge. 

Ms. Pizzarelli explained that she initially found a poster advertising a similar event, and upon pitching it to Ms. Holzer and Ms. Jackson, they decided it would be the perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving Break. She exclaimed, “It’s so exciting to see the students so engaged and excited for something content-based,” and the feeling is mutual amongst the students. One chemistry student, Fareeda Empapy, said, “I can’t wait to do more stuff like this in the future!” When asked if events such as this could be expected in the future, Ms. Pizzarelli confirmed that they plan on doing this balloon race every year, and the possibility of similar events around other cultural holidays throughout the school year to boost student’s morale as they work towards each break. 

This year’s competition ended in a tie, but classes definitely will be looking for their next chance to prove their dominance and win!