For 8-year-old John Paul Franks, the visit was all about understanding computers and dissecting their parts like a surgeon would.  Fifth-graders Emma Schneider and Nora Lyons made their very own lava lamp with oil, colored water, and Alka-Seltzer, observing the separation of liquids to understand density.

The three were among more than 100 Allston-Brighton children who had a place to bring their interests and curiosities this semester — the Harvard Allston Education Portal.  And it was their projects that were on display Dec. 11 during the eighth installment of the Ed Portal’s Student Showcase and Open House.

The Ed Portal was bursting at the seams with families from the Allston-Brighton community, Harvard students, University administrators, and faculty.

“We have amazing children coming to the program,” said Professor Robert Lue, faculty director of the Harvard Allston Education Portal.  “The wide variety of projects speaks to the breadth of enrichment opportunities we like to provide at the Ed Portal.”

From a math game called the Mathanator to a project comparing the cleaning power of vinegar and salt to taco sauce, a laser fountain, a fortune-telling computer program, football statistics, and a story about one boy’s private Pokeman world, the Ed Portal was alive with a variety of ideas and learning.

The Harvard mentoring program pairs Allston-Brighton children, grades one through 12, with Harvard undergraduates for weekly mentoring throughout the semester.  Twenty-four Harvard students work with the children to find projects and activities that fit their interests and expand their understanding of science, math, and writing.

For Harvard junior Andrea Henricks, who mentors Emma and Nora during science club, it was time well spent.

“I can see I’m really making a difference.  They get really excited, plus it’s a nice break for me, too,” said Henricks, a student of molecular and cellular biology and a great match for two young girls interested in science.

“The fact that you have this structure, where kids meet college students who care about kids … it’s the kind of seed you plant that lasts a lifetime,” said Greg Lyons, Nora’s father.

Showing off

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

  • Young chemist

    Young chemist

    At the Harvard Allston Education Portal Student Showcase and Open House on Dec. 11, Grace Theodore, 5, of Watertown learned about acids and bases. She came with her mother and three brothers.

  • Dramatic monologue

    Dramatic monologue

    Education Portal Faculty Director Rob Lue (left) and Harvard student Chloe Veron '14 (center) watch as Sebastian Sanchez, 9, of Allston reads his creative writing project. Vernon was his mentor for the writing project.

  • Rapt

    Rapt

    Regina Chiem of Allston listens to the student presentations.

  • Curious-minded

    Curious-minded

    Van-Ado Jean-Noel, 12, of Brighton checks out a poster board project.

  • Talent scouting

    Talent scouting

    Peggy Mativo '13 (from left) and Chinwe Madubata '12 read a creative writing project mounted on poster board.

  • Slaying math

    Slaying math

    Chloe Veron '14 taught Caterina Franks, 10, of Allston how to play a game called the Math-Anator.

  • More fun!

    More fun!

    Down the hall were more science-related projects involving lasers, refraction, boat building, and more.

  • Helping hands

    Helping hands

    Hunt Batter '14 (right) did a demonstration that involved shining a laser through a stream of water, but first needed help pouring water into the bottle. His helpers are Sebastian Sanchez (from left), 9, of Allston; Nathan Theodore, 7, of Watertown; and Leo Kotomori, 14, of Allston.

  • Making cents

    Making cents

    Michelle Sirois '12, a biology major, worked with Julia Weeks, 9, on a project titled "Clean Change," where they cleaned pennies with acid-based sauce.

  • Tickled

    Tickled

    Getting tickled by Grace Theodore, 5, of Watertown is Ryan Heffrin, a mentor at the Education Portal.