Students prepare a Science Day robotics activity in the Humphreys High School cafeteria at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 22. 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea – An elephant tooth made with soap and hydrogen peroxide, a rainbow column of multicolored oils, and a robot car navigating an obstacle course.
The second annual Science Day at Humphreys High School on Saturday had all that, and plenty of laughter.
Members of the high school’s Science National Honor Society and Robotics Club organized the event for students at the two elementary schools on Camp Humphreys, giving younger students an opportunity to participate in hands-on science experiments.
“I see a lot of smiles and a lot of joy knowing that they’re able to demonstrate to the little kids,” said Minseo Harthausen, a Humphreys High senior and president of the honor society.
The high school students designed activities suited for elementary schoolers and spent time after school practicing experiments and fundraising for the event, said Sheryl Loken, a Humphreys chemistry and physics teacher and honor society adviser.
To support the event, club members sought donations at the post exchange.
Mieka Sabia, left, and Sophia Baek prepare their Science Day activity in the Humphreys High School gym at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 22, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes)
Camden Dotson monitors the robot car activity on Science Day in the Humphreys High School gym at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 22, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes)
Minseo Harthausen, left, Mathew Huang, center, and Kayla Collins set up a Science Day welcome table in the gym at Humphreys High School at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 22, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes)
Abigail Loken works on robot car for Science Day in the Humphreys High School gym at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 22, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes)
Sixteen activity stations filled the high school gym during the two-hour event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Around 60 families attended.
Members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, historically Black college organizations, also lent their support. They helped set up in the morning and donated goodie bags for children attending.
“It’s something I think all students should be exposed to, and that’s why it’s a big deal to me—just wanting more students to go into the field,” Loken said.
The school hopes to continue and expand the event next year, she said.
“Hopefully next year it will be bigger, and we can add more stations because we have 52 members” in the Science National Honor Society, Loken said.
