NORTHAMPTON, MA — Nearly 60 eighth-graders from Hampshire Regional Middle School descended on the Smith College campus Wednesday to spill water, melt plastic and spin on office chairs until dizzy — all in the name of science.

The field trip was just one step in the students’ exploration of the intersection of science and art that will lead to their creating a kinetic sculpture — a moving creation that will demonstrate scientific concepts. The most common example of that type of sculpture is a baby’s mobile.

Throughout the year, Hampshire Regional science teacher Sue Tracy said she’s been cramming her students with concepts such as Newton’s laws of motion. On Wednesday, they had the chance to see, touch and feel those ideas in action at the Smith College Picker Engineering Program’s Mechanics Playground.

“I want to get them having some application for these principles,” Tracy said.