by Kenna Williams
The Paducah Sun
October 2, 2026
Used with permission.
With the power of 3D-printed butterflies and tennis balls, McNabb Elementary students learned more about energy at the Paducah Innovation Hub on Thursday.
During the field trip, students participated in an interactive solar panel lesson — acting as photons, electrons and electricity. In addition, they wound up 3D-printed butterflies and watched as the stored energy sent them fluttering through the air when released.
“We hope they take away a new type of energy. We hope they take away that Paducah is on the cutting edge of some of this new technology that is happening in our area,” said Sherry Bertram, math interventionist at McNabb Elementary. “We hope they walk away with a whole new appreciation for science and that it's not just in a textbook — it's not just a formula, it's not just facts to memorize — but it's living, and breathing, and new and constantly changing.”