Satchel Ford Elementary Dedicates Science Fair to Teacher Who Died of Cancer

On Friday, March 24 at 7:55 a.m. Satchel Ford Elementary will pay tribute to Jeanna Hoffman, a long-time second-grade teacher who died of cancer last summer. Prior to the start of the annual school science fair (an event Ms. Hoffman started many years ago), all of the school’s students, along with Ms. Hoffman’s husband and son, will gather on the baseball field to blow bubbles and release balloons in her memory. A proclamation will also be read in her honor.

The all-day science fair the school has planned would likely make Ms. Hoffman proud. It’s not a traditional one where students bring in home-made science projects. This one includes 13 presenters doing all sorts of experiments and hands-on projects. Physics and biology professors from USC and Richland One high schools have been invited. Also coming is a team from Mad Science of Columbia. They do demonstrations similar to those on the popular TV program Bill Nye, the Science Guy. A crew from Alligator Adventure out of Myrtle Beach is also expected. They are reported to have an expert who can "talk to the animals." There’s even a very good chance that one presenter will create a batch of that all-time kid favorite--sticky, slimy goo.

"It will be an amazing day," said Laura Timmons, the Satchel Ford teacher organizing this year’s event. "Jeanna loved science. She organized the science fair for many years. We are pleased to carry it on and dedicate it to her."

For more information, please contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7510 or 231-7504.