Earth Science and Astronomy Honors teacher, Dr. Dylan Bell, along with fellow Earth Science teachers Marie Rosander and Neal Gleitz are keeping former sixth-grade teacher Steve Dacey’s legacy burning with last Friday’s thermite 
demonstration. The three science teachers performed a reaction that produced temperatures higher than those of molten lava, an experiment formerly performed by Dacey. The reaction combined rust (iron-oxide) and aluminum which caused a mass release of thermal energy and production of molten iron.
The experiment demonstrated core skills and topics currently being covered in Earth Science classes.
“The students are currently learning about compounds and elements. The experiment proves that during chemical reactions a new substance can form from two entirely different substances — it’s fun as well,” Bell said.
They performed the reaction every period allowing all AP Chem, Earth Science, and Astronomy students to experience the reaction, and one of Pine View’s beloved legacies.
Photos by: Emma Reynolds and Coltrane Marcusky
Video by: Felicity Chang with footage by Shelby Brann