Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Ever wonder why you fly back in your seat when a ride takes off? Or why you spin out on a rotating ride? The answer lies in Science, and students from across the state learned there is more to the fair than games and rides.
"Some people have problems comparing classroom things to real life situations and this really makes it realistic," said 11th grader Melissa Brock.
About 3,000 high school students watched and participated in demonstrations with students and faculty from USC. They also did experiment on rides, and for many, seeing the science in action really struck a chord.
"It's really gonna help me kind of understand it a little bit more, anything I didn't already get, it's just gonna make it a little bit more realistic," said Brock.
Jeff Wilson, the event's organizer and a USC Physics professor says making science real is part of why they hold the event.
"It ties in very well with what's in the classroom, they get to measure things, compare to what they're being taught in the classrooms, it keeps them engaged, they get to see why it is they should learn physics it's not some abstract book-learning activity," said Wilson.
Nathan Sairam, a USC student volunteer experienced that first-hand. He attended physics day at the fair while in high school and now he's majoring in math and physics and hoping to share his love with others.
"Every time I do a demonstration, I like it when I see the kids are really interested in what I'm saying or a spark goes off in their head like 'oh' that makes sense now," said Sairam.
The annual event has been going on since 1997, more than 40,000 students have participated over the years.