As I learn by Orla Berry

As I Learn

April 8
My professional practice goal for this school year was to create a blogspot for the science department.  My original due date was Feb/March but then I gave myself a drop-dead date of April 10 - Digital Learning Day in Medfield - to get this blospot up and running, so here I am, two days early!

I like to write after I read because it gives me the opportunity to reflect and to determine how/if I can put into practice what I have just read.   I believe that this is where the learning takes place for me as I try to make sense of what I have read in the context of what I already know or think I know. 

I read something recently that said when you write, do it for yourself and do not worry about what others think of it and so that's what I plan to do here in this space.

Blake Curriculum Blog - March 2018

March 2018

Science

Students have just finished the Great Cell Debate in 6th grade science.  Students had to argue why “their” position in the “Cells INC” company (as determined by their assigned organelle), was not expendable and therefore that position should not be eliminated due to budget cuts.  Each student pair argued the importance of “their” job and explained which cell part they believe should be fired. At the end of the debate they were able to ask each other clarifying questions about everyone’s role in Cells INC, to help them make their final decision as to who should/should not be cut.  The beauty of the whole experience was that all of the students were able to recognize that no cell parts are expendable as they began to develop an understanding of how all of the organelles interact to ensure a cell can perform it’s essential functions. In the end students determined no parts could be cut from the company.  In fact, many students are now seeking promotions!

Grade 7 students investigated three different aspects of technology during the month of March.  They learned about how transportation systems are designed, to move people and goods, using a variety of vehicles and devices. They also learned about futuristic transportation systems that are expected to become mainstream soon, and they examined the subsystems that make a transportation vehicles work. Subsequently students learned about the components of a communication system and both the benefits and drawbacks of a variety of communication systems.

Towards the end of the month students they completed a collaborative green energy technology project and learned about how technology can mitigate human consumption of natural resources.

Students in the 8th grade have just completed their States of Matter unit.  Term three will see a shifting of gears as students dive into the world of Earth Science through their exploration of Earth-Moon-Sun system, weather and global climate change.   Each Friday’s students work on their Genius Hour projects and at this point are actively involved in the research phase of their project. Intro to Engineering students are finishing up their pasta bridges and/or working with the EV3 Lego Mindstorm robots.  Recently eighth grade science students had a visit from google expeditions providing students an opportunity to explore the world of science through AR (augmented reality). In addition, students spent a day remembering the late Stephen Hawking and learning about his contributions to Science.  

BLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR - 2018

On Friday March 16th students at Blake Middle School participated in our annual science fair.

Students were excited and eager to share their findings with the attendees who were equally

interested in learning what interests and excites our middle school students!

Many thanks to everyone who participated and helped out - our judges, our student volunteers

Blake administration for their support of this endeavor and the many parents and teachers who

facilitated this effort.  Most of all we would like to thank our student scientists for their

enthusiasm, determination and outstanding participation!

We hope to see you all at next year's fair!

Our prize winners were -

Jim Kemp, Chase Coughlin, Shea Coughlin, Ronan Schoenfeld, Alex Munz, Kelly Blake and Fia Flamand

Participants in picture Participants - not in picture

Sasha Mazurenko Hanna O’Loughlin

Jim Kemp Caeli Sheehan

Matt Goldman Noah Manchand

Mary Palladino

Annie Stanton

Sophia Compton

Emma Mascari

Andrea Cabochan

Chase Coughlin

Shea Coughlin

Roman Schoenfeld

Katelyn Nicotera

Alex Munz

Jack Brassil

Louis Trenton

Richie Bradbury

Ben Carpenter

Brandon Mak

Suran Warnakulasooriya

Kelly Blake

Fia Flamand

Ned Teany

Michael Kobrin

Scott Donahue

Sarah Hedges

Finch Sullivan

Sean Narkewich

Axel Inozemcev

Nate Cunningham

Caroline McBreen

Ellayna Geraigery

Chloe Spitzer

Lucy Nightingale