Grade 8 science students have completed their lab safety unit, and have begun to further their knowledge of chemistry. Activities and explorations into the structures of atoms, their behaviors, and how they bond to form molecules and compounds have been successfully conducted, and further activities such as the “Happy Atoms” molecular modeling interactive kit/app, the Stop Motion Movie on elements, compounds, and mixtures are both underway, with more labs to come that will further the students’ understanding of how chemical interactions and behaviors create all of the substances and objects that they interact with on a daily basis. The weeks to come will see students putting their knowledge of chemistry to work as they perform chemical mixtures experiments! Our always enjoyable field trip canoeing the Charles, while collecting data to determine if the wastewater treatment plant is polluting the Charles or not, served as an excellent segue way into upcoming units of investigative chemistry!
In the classroom, 7th-grade students completed a magnetism and electricity unit and have begun studying types of energy such as potential and kinetic energy. This past week students were engaged in a four-part lab activity examining kinetic energy and the different types of potential energy. Next, we will be studying energy transfer & thermal energy! In Science Exploration class students are preparing for the arrival of the trout eggs in January, by learning about the conditions trout need to survive.
Students were excited to spend the week of October 23-26 at Nature’s Classroom on Lake George in Silver Bay, New York, where themes of ecology were investigated while in the field. At mealtimes, lessons about the importance of conservation were reinforced as students measured their food waste and examined the energy used after each meal. Early civilization themes were also experienced as students participated in an afternoon of “Back to Basics”. It was a busy, fun-filled week!
6th grade has explored the universe through matter during this past month.
