In the newly remodeled multipurpose room, the thick crowd of perusing parents and eager children made their way through multiple science displays. Projects, created by students in kindergarten through fifth grade, included the testing of paper airplanes, rocket trajectories, electric currents, fossils identification and several colorful models of the solar system.

In contrast to many other school science expos, Foothill's science night is just for display. "It is not a competition," explains Foothill PTA co-chairwoman Bela Desai. "It is just for fun, and the kids are very excited about their project this year."

Foothill Elementary Principal Helen Sullivan was happy to see the numerous experiments and to see such a good turnout at the event.

"Our family science night has been very well-received by the parents and community," she said. "The students work very hard and have turned in some wonderful projects."

The students participate in the science night on a voluntary basis and often generate the project ideas themselves.

Fourth-grader Senem Yilmaz found her project idea on the Internet. "I wanted to make a mummy," Yilmaz said with a shy grin. Her mother was as encouraging as she could be, given the mummification specimen of striped bass. After cleaning out the fish and covering it in baking soda (which is the facilitator of the dehydration), the fish spent several days in the kitchen and was then quickly moved to the garage.

Aside from the initial strong smell, Yilmaz thought it was "fun" to do the project and to show the other kids, many of whom flocked to see the fish and then squealed, running away when they were told they could touch the specimen.

In addition to the science projects, a new astronomy element was added to the family night. With 15 high-powered telescopes and a brief information session, students and parents had the opportunity to study the stars and the moon after viewing the projects.

The presentation, organized by fifth-grade Argonaut instructor West Walker, was the first in a series of astronomy nights to be held at Saratoga schools.

"It was a great night. I thought it was a good overview of the sky, and it was nice to see how popular it was," he said, mentioning the lines that had formed at each telescope.

The goal of the astronomy night, as well as the science family night, is to get children more involved and interested in science.

Walker is involved with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, which promotes astronomy in the classroom. "We try to increase the kids' interest in science," Walker said. "It's an area that surprises the kids because they find out that they are having fun while learning about science."

The next astronomy night will be held Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at Redwood Middle School and is open to the entire district. Members of the San Jose Astronomical Society will be on hand to give presentations and offer telescopes to attendees; however, parents are encouraged to bring their own scopes.