Shopper news • FEBRUARY 24, 2014 • A-9
Tripp Keeton, teacher Ashley Parham and students McKenzie Burkhalter and Isabella Raman check out McKenzie’s special effects – an alligator’s head – before receiving chocolate from her machine.
Episcopal School of Knoxville chaplain Josh Hill watches Jeff Ottaviano’s Valentine delivery system in action. Photos by S. Barrett
Sweet inventions By Sara Barrett
Lance Maples’ toy car drives down a runway before delivering a piece of chocolate to a friend. “Three pieces at once is just too much,” he said of the car’s weight limit.
The Episcopal School of Knoxville’s 3rd graders filled their classrooms with eccentric homemade Valentine delivery systems for a lesson on inventions and simple machines. The event was originally scheduled for Valentine’s Day, but snow forced rescheduling. Each student’s delivery system had to include three simple machines such as a pulley, lever or inclined
plane. The inventions delivered one piece of chocolate at a time, and additional parts included everything from a roll of toilet paper to a Matchbox car and even an alligator’s head. That’s right. McKenzie Burkhalter used the head of an alligator to add special effects to her machine. “I wanted the teeth to make it look like (the alligator) was eating the chocolate,” said McKenzie.
Madison Farmer’s invention involves a huge wheel, a marble and a tube to trigger a lever that tosses candy to an onlooker.
Other students toured the classrooms and tested the machines. By the end of the presentations everyone had enjoyed more than their fair share of chocolate. “This is the most bizarre cocktail of two assignments I’ve ever seen in my life, but it works,” said the school’s chaplain, Josh Hill. A mix of Valentine’s Day and simple machines would be enough to make anyone crave some sugar.
Hello,
hospital!
A. L. Lotts Elementary School kindergartners Natalie Coulson, Connor Simonis and Emily Xu display finger casts they received during Hello, hospital, a program by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. ETCH child life practicum student Katelin Rose (not pictured) visited the school to introduce students to items they may see during a visit to the hospital. Photo by S. Barrett
Best of the best Atomic City Aquatics Club members Loki Hondorf, Jack O’Connor, Margaret Stansberry and Seth Hughes will compete in this year’s NCSA Junior National Championships in Orlando March 18-22. ACAC coach Mike Bowman said this is the first time he can recall having four swimmers make the cut in individual events for this meet. Loki will compete in the 200 freestyle, Seth and Margaret will swim the 100 back and Jack will compete in the 50 freestyle. Photo submitted
Season opener for TCDE The Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble will open its 33rd season with two performances, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 27-28, at the Tennessee Theatre. Admission is $30 in advance or at the door. The evening will feature a dozen dances by six different choreographers. “Whether you love modern dance, classical ballet or jazz, or you just need to see something that will lift your spirits and make you feel good about your world – this is the place to be,” said artistic director Irena Linn. The ensemble, also known as Children Helping Children, serves as official dancing ambassador of goodwill for Knoxville and also for the state. Artists ranging in age from 10 to 18 will perform. “This concert is not just for children,” said Judy Robinson, managing director. “People come thinking
they will see children and expect something akin to a recital. Then they see it, and they are blown away.
Their hearts are touched, and they never again think about dance the same way.” Info: 584-9636.
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