Suddenly, it started to lift to the surprised gasps of the children. As Icanberry gently let the craft float over the stage and toward the center of the room, every fourth-grader there watched intently as some shouted "Good-bye" and "Bon Voyage."

Sadly, it was over all too quickly, as Icanberry retrieved the airship and began to break it down in preparation for the next assembly of children. But the process piqued the interest of many of the students there.

"It's very good and I love it, 9-year-old Jeremy Harrison said of being a part of the project. "I like doing experiments."

Icanberry writes and illustrates his books which include "Extraordinary Projects From Ordinary Objects #1, "Picnic on a Cloud," and "Super Salads." In them he takes some science, a bit of history and a dash of fantasy to show children how to take everyday items and turn them into such items as greenhouses, blimps, bubble blowers and compasses.

"It's just something I've always done and I like making things," the Kensington resident said "As an author I don't want to just show up and read a book-I want to get these kids to use their imagination and build a 40-foot airship or a 20-foot high volcano."

Aaron Bugaj, 9, touched on what he liked best about Icanberry's demonstration. "He says you can use milk cartons to build a lot of things," he said. "This gives us a chance to really use our imaginations."

Principle Katie McLane hopes that after working on the project, the students will become enthused about the school's upcoming science fair.

"I love the kids to have hands-on experience like this," she said. "This is what kids need to get excited about science.

Nine-year-old Michael Butler reviewed the presentation matter-offactly. "It was educational," he said. "We learned that if it (the air ship) has too much weight it won't float."