Science comes to life at Carson High School

Chris Kotter and Stuart Law, both 18, created a science project that kicked bum.

As part of Carson High School's annual Rube Fest on Friday, the two seniors constructed a series of levers and pulleys that ended with one hobo kicking another in the hind end as part of their project, "Rube Bum."

"I like the grand finale," Law said. "It's definitely original."

More importantly, "It works every time," Kotter said.

For six years, physics students have been required to create a project to put to use the mechanical skills learned in the classroom.

Students must utilize a required amount of levers, pulleys, projectiles and other specifications to successfully complete the project.

The idea of the fair is based on Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Reuben Lucius Goldberg's work.

Goldberg, who died in 1970, was known for the elaborate contraptions in his cartoons, which he described as symbols of man's capacity for exerting maximum effort to accomplish minimal results.

"It takes a lot more work than I thought it would," said Justin Barber, 18. "It seems simple, but when things don't work, you have to figure out what adjustments to make, like when there's not enough leverage or too much friction."

Senator Square was packed with about 30 projects this year. Physics teacher Mark Johnson was pleased with the quantity of projects as well as the quality.

"This group has really put effort into this thing," he said. "We have some fantastic artistic projects out there."

One group of students brought skills learned in welding class to ensure a hole in one.

Ted Jost, Dane Weiler and Richard cook welded a contraption that began with the snapping of a mouse trap and led to four golf balls being dropped into a hole on a miniature green.

"It was pretty difficult to design, but putting it together was easy," Jost said.

Teammate Cassidy Johnson decorated the project in "Happy Gilmore" style.

Although it's a display of mechanical science, the festival more resembled a popular teenage hangout, with music pumping in the background.

Students who didn't participate in the fair, wandered through looking at projects and talking to friends.

"It's fun to look at," said Katie Barnes, 17. "I think it's cool that they get to be creative and show what they've learned."