Newscast on oxygen nets $5,000 for Northwood H.S. science department
NORTHWOOD – Classmates Zach Vickers and Ben Slaughterbeck earned one of the top 20 highest scores in a
national video competition on the elements.
Their video, on oxygen, was a Dow Classroom Prize winner in the "It’s Elemental" contest
sponsored by the Chemical Heritage Foundation as part of the International Year of Chemistry.
The juniors at Northwood High School created a four-minute video, "Channel 15.9994 Oxygen
News."
The number refers to the atomic mass of the element.
In their newscast, the duo explains how the lack of oxygen has prevented the launch of a rocket from
outer space, and how electric vehicles could lead to a cleaner future; and they take a humorous look at
the effects of pollution through the decades.
Throughout the newscast, a "ticker" on the screen explains the discovery of oxygen, its volume
and traits, and trivia facts.
Vickers is the news anchor while Slaughterbeck serves as weatherman and sports reporter.
More than 1,000 students from 36 states submitted nearly 700 videos to "It’s Elemental."
Teachers of students whose videos ranked among the top 20 highest scores in the competition were invited
to submit essays proposing improvements to their science departments. The essay submitted by NHS teacher
Geoff Milewski explained that grant money would be used to improve the department and encourage the
interest in chemistry among the students.
Northwood High School was chosen as one of eight winners in this category and one of 11 winners overall.
The school will receive a $5,000 grant from the Dow Chemical Company. The money will be used to purchase
six deluxe Vernier LabQuest chemistry packages that will transform the chemistry labs. Additionally,
this equipment will be used by the art department to highlight some of the chemistry aspects of various
art projects.
View "Channel 15.9994 Oxygen News" by going to http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/
chemistry-in-history/its-elemental/view-video.aspx?reserveID=300&
elem=8.