As any teacher or student can tell you, the short time between Thanksgiving break and winter break can fly by and drag on at the same time. It can also include a complete lack of focus and concentration for the students.

Not in Truman High School teacher Dawn Brown’s science class.

“December is really ‘squirrely’ time for them,” said Brown, who teaches physical science and biology. “We’ve learned a bunch. Now let’s take it and do something.”

Physical science students are creating an invention, anything they want, but they must show how it works, then model it. Students can do anything as long as it involves movement. Biology students must relate their presentations and projects back to genetics and ethics.

Both groups of students will present their projects at Museum Night, which they will host from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at 31455 28th Ave. S.

Hit project

Brown did the project for two years at Todd Beamer High School and is now bringing it to Truman.

“They are stepping up to the plate,” Brown said. “Their answers are much more thoughtful.

Students are working in small groups or as individuals. The project is a big hit.

Students have been coming in to work on it during their free time and weekends.

“They excel at working at their own pace and having bigger ideas,” Brown explained.

Human attraction and toilet seats

The projects are varied among the students.

Maria Ramirez, a senior biology student, is working on how body language, facial expressions and the perfect facial ratio relate to what humans are genetically attracted to.

She has measured faces and researched what certain movements mean. Licking lips might mean they are chapped, or it might mean interest in a man. Men touching women’s hips can be casual, or it could be linked to the woman’s fertility, Ramirez said.

“I didn’t think about stuff like that before,” she added.

Students in the physical science class have come up with interesting ideas for their projects. Sophomores Jacqueline Guzman and Christian Zamudio are part of a group working on the “Seat Solver,” a device that puts the toilet seat down after every flush. The idea came after Guzman sat down without looking at her home, after her brother had used the toilet, and fell in. Their device is activated by the flushing of the handle.

“We’re solving a normal problem using homemade stuff,” Guzman said. “It’s fun.”

During the Museum Night presentations, students will explain their projects and methods to community members and judges, who will grade them on their presentation and understanding. Ten people have volunteered to judge.