IT WAS A NIGHT of gooey, scaly, smelly, cool science at Robert Moton Elementary Thursday when the school sponsored its ninth annual Science Night.

More than 200 pupils and parents visited 12 exhibits at the Westminster school that covered topics like rocks and minerals, the senses, reptiles, rabies, wolves and "Wonderful Worm Waste."

First-grader Michael Will proudly reports that he learned that toads use their eyes to help them swallow. Michael, his third-grade brother, Daniel Will, and neighbor Eric Kozayk soaked up as much science as the evening had to offer.

Folks from Bear Branch Nature Center, Hashawha, the Carroll County Humane Society, the Westminster Astronomers Club, Piney Run Park and Families Learning Together joined teachers from the county and beyond to put the event together.

Pupils touched, watered and watched worms during a presentation by West Middle School teachers Carla Criss and Mary Hoy. The teachers hauled in an aquarium and big tubs of worms and compost, supplies for miniature gardens, and microscopes for viewing worm eggs.

"This is our family's second year at Science Night," said Frank Boyer, who attended Thursday's presentations with his son, third-grader Chad, and his wife, Darlene Boyer. "There is so much information here -- about snakes, astrology, owls, the environment."

Every 20 minutes organizers raffled science books that highlighted many of the topics discussed throughout the evening.

"This is a night when kids can talk to adults who can inspire them to pursue their scientific interests," said Sharon Pappas, a fourth-grade teacher at Robert Moton who organized Science Night. "You can see the excitement in the children's faces when they touch a snake, watch liquid nitrogen react and make an edible landfill."

Pain and payoff

Revise, revise revise -- children have heard this advice from writing teachers for years. Children's author Avi might have convinced some local middle school pupils of the importance of that instruction when he revealed that his stories often go through 40 to 50 drafts before publication.

East Middle School pupils Ashley Anderson, Stacey Eyler and David Robertson went to Oklahoma Road Middle School in Eldersburg on Wednesday to listen to the author, a privilege they earned after success in their school's Read-a-Thon.

"I was excited that I got to meet him," said Ashley, who likes to write suspense novels.

"I liked the way he talked about his family," said David. "It was interesting to see his old papers too."

During his visit to Eldersburg, Avi showed slides of his rough drafts with copious editorial comments. He also showed assignments from elementary, middle school and high school days complete with teachers' comments: "bloated," "puffy," "unclear sentences."

The pupils learned that this author's spelling was atrocious until he got a computer that checks spelling. They heard about Avi's twin sister, Emily, who is also an author and who nicknamed him Avi when they were young. The author's real name is Edward Wortis.

When the children saw pictures of Avi's home in Denver, they realized that even successful authors may live in small houses. Avi told them that when a paperback book sells for $3.95, he makes about 3 cents.

His salary and his farm home may have seemed small, but the pupils were impressed by the large number of children and stepchildren he has, as well as their diverse interests.

Avi flashed pictures of his six children on the gymnasium screen and talked about their interest in rock music, the music business and lacrosse.

He even flipped up a picture of the inside of the family's refrigerator: "Yes, I eat," he said.

Before and after his presentation, Avi fielded questions: "Where do you get story ideas?" "What is your next book about?" "Sometimes do you hate to write?"

"I just want you to know that you look good for your age," said Shannon Huber before she asked her question.

"Well, thanks. I looked old when I was younger. It balances out," Avi said.

Avi has written more than 40 children's books, including "Poppy," "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle," "S.O.R. Losers" and "Nothing But the Truth." He told the middle school pupils that his next book will be called "Steamboat Dogs."

Lisa Breslin's Central neighborhood column appears each Monday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.

Pub Date: 3/22/99