Science Happenings

STEAMers Showcase 2019

On Wednesday, March 6th, students at Blake Middle school participated in our STEAMers showcase. Students were excited and eager to share their passion with the attendees who were equally interested in learning what motivates and excites our middle school students!
Many thanks to everyone who participated and helped out - our AP Biology volunteers, Blake administration and the many parents and teachers who facilitated this event.  Most of all we would like to thank out students scientists/engineers/problem solvers for their enthusiasm, determination and outstanding participation!

We are looking forward to seeing our STEAMers again at our Design your Learning Day, 2019               #medfieldDLD!!

Participants not in the picture - Carl Kirchoff and Jim Kemp

Participants in the picture - Caeli Sheehan, Maeve Kennedy, Everett Lybrand, Michael Ianone, Owen McEntee, Ellayna Geraigery, Kaitlyn Nicotera, Ned Teany, Nikhil Verghese, Noah Marchand, Suran Warnakulasooriya, Sasha Mazurenko.

High School science curriculum update

9th-grade Biology students recently learned about how living things use and produce energy.  As part of a photosynthesis unit, students designed and conducted their own experiments to determine the effect of different factors on the rate of photosynthesis.

Currently, Biology students are learning about their DNA making models and creating videos to show how DNA replicates!!!

Anatomy & Physiology students are learning about the structure and functioning of muscles.  Students tested rabbit muscle to determine the effect of different solutions of ATP and ions on muscle contraction.  Students also built sarcomeres using pipe cleaners to show how the proteins, actin, and myosin are arranged within the muscle cell.

Blake curriculum update

After finishing with their Universe projects, the 6th-grade science students started to work through the relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun that cause the phases of the Moon and eclipses. Students used several different types of models to help them understand these relationships and to figure out that phases are based on our perspective from the earth that determines how much of the lit side of the moon we see as it makes its way in its revolution around Earth each month. Ask your student why we do not experience a lunar eclipse every month!!
On completion of our Astronomy unit, students left space and returned to Earth to take a journey back in time, geologic time that is.  We spent a couple of days making sure that students had two takeaways, that the Earth is very old (4.5 billion years old) and that humans have been around for a very tiny amount of that time (200,000 years).  After February vacation we picked up with the evidence that supports continental drift: fossils, land features, and climate.

February found seventh-grade students building again! They started the month by learning about bridges and the forces at work in different types of bridges.  To help understand the forces, students participated in simulations to feel tension and compression.  They used their head as the tower to model cable-stayed bridges with a string tied to their arms. 

Using their understanding of forces in bridge design, students then designed and build their own bridges.  Their bridge design needed to span 30 cm, hold at least 1000grams and of course had to be stable.  the bridges held well over the limit set by the seventh-grade science teachers! Students also tracked their use of materials to determine if their bridge came in under, or over budget.  Teams presented their bridges to the class and students completed a Claim, Evidence response writing assignment using the data to support their claim of which bridge in the class had the best design. 

In science exploration, students continue to be busy keeping the water in the tanks clean for the trouts.  Frequent water changes are a way of life now that the trout are eating.  In between water testing and water changes, students are learning about the structure and function of the internal and external anatomy of trout along with the life cycle of trout!

Eighth-grade science students recently completed a unit on Physics, centered on Newton's laws of Motion.  The students participated in some engaging new labs freshly assembled for this new 8th-grade science unit. One such lab involved launching balls of various masses from a ramp while taking measurements and analyzing the motion of the object. The colliding toy cars lab was a great success with students taking slow-mo video fo the collisions while narrating and labeling their videos as an indicator of the understanding of Newton's third law! 

Chemistry Curriculum update - January 2019

This year in chemistry class our juniors have worked through the concepts of Periodic Trends, Chemical Reactions, and the Mole to name a few. We started at the level of individual atoms and have progressed into reactions between compounds on a larger scale. Students have performed weekly labs to hone in on key concepts and also relate class material to real, tangible substances. For instance, recently students explored the science behind desiccants, or substances that remove water from the air and how that impacts our food and shipping processes. Students have also made slime to explore intermolecular forces, created decorations using supersaturated solutions, and viewed color changes that chemicals have when exposed to flames.

The second half of the school year will focus on more specialized topics such as electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. We will continue to connect topics and use prior knowledge to investigate concepts such as Acids and Bases, Oxidation-Reduction, and factors that affect the rates of reactions!

High School Science Curriculum update

Biology students continue to model biological concepts using models of the cell and transport. Students designed a cell membrane using a variety of materials provided in class. Students used their models to investigate which materials simply diffused through the membrane and which materials required assistance. Students evaluated the models and practiced engineering concepts by suggesting redesigns.

Physics students have investigated the nature of sound, light, radiation, earthquakes, and electricity. Students have conducted experiments with lasers, mirrors, lenses, and even slinkies to uncover the mysteries of the universe. They have calculated the speed of sound using a tuning fork, and have discovered several ways to bend a ray of light. They have tested the capabilities of small electrical systems, determining through experiments what factors affect the amount of electric current in a circuit. Recently, Physics students learned how electric circuits make our homes, cars, and cell phones work. Students constructed simple and complex circuits during lab investigations, using precise scientific measuring tools to determine how electricity works. Students began the new year learning about outer space, planets, stars, and gravity, opening their minds to the possibilities of future human exploration into the solar system!

Blake Curriculum update Dec 2019

In 8th grade Science, the students are wrapping up the Physical Science Standards. We will soon be exploring the Earth and Space Science standards for term 2. We are excited to pilot a new project using Zing Shot Crash Cars to teach our new physics standards on Newton’s 3rd Law. In Intro to Engineering, the students have shifted gears and are beginning the term II projects. Stars are working with the Lego Mindstorm, Eagles are working on Solar Cars and the Stripes are beginning their Genius Hour projects.


Seventh-grade students have finished their solar cooker design and modifications following our study of thermal energy and heat transfer. Next up seventh-grade students will begin a study of various geoscience processes and how these processes shape Earth’s surface. Our unit began with an engineering and erosion workshop from the New England Aquarium (many thanks MCPE!!). Preventing coastal erosion was the problem with which students were challenged. Given a tool kit and a budget, students designed various barriers and walls to prevent coastal erosion and tested them using a coastline model. We will continue our study of processes that shape the Earth’s surface by studying other processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and weathering/erosion through a series of lab and web-based activities.
In Science Exploration we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Trout eggs. Students have been studying the trout habitat, water quality, and conditions that trout need for survival. Studying trout anatomy and building models of trout organs is next in our study of the Trout.


Sixth grade has been studying the difference between physical and chemical changes to matter. We have had hands-on experiences with separating mixtures, using a number of physical processes. And now, we are working to identify the indicators of chemical changes. In particular, kids will work to understand endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions.
They’ll conduct experiments, measuring the release and absorption of heat energy, and work to explain the evidence. In the new year, we will enter into explorations of the universe in which we live!!

Blake curriculum blog November update

In 6th grade science, students have been learning how to determine the density of solids and liquids. Magic density columns of liquids of known densities were created and objects were dropped in; students could then infer the density of the object. Students showed their understanding of how the density of both the liquid and the object determines if objects will sink or float. Ask your student which is more dense, coke or diet coke, and how they know! We have also started to do some work on science writing and we will soon begin learning about physical and chemical changes, mixtures, and the basics of chemical reactions.

The seventh-grade science rooms are heating up! At the beginning of the month, students visited stations to explore thermal energy, methods of heat transfer, and the properties of conductors and insulators. Students then learned about the need for alternatives to wood for cooking in third world countries. Using the design process, students applied their knowledge to the design and testing of a solar cooker. Engineering teams will present their final product to the class explaining how they maximized the principles of heat transfer in their solar cooker.
In Science Exploration, students will be preparing the tank for the arrival of the trout eggs. Once the eggs arrive, the temperature in the tank will be kept at 45oF to keep the eggs from hatching. When we are ready, the temperature will be slowly raised and the trout eggs will begin hatching. Students will be responsible for maintaining the proper water quality in the tanks to ensure the survival of the trout. Weekly observations in a Trout Journal will track the development of the trout.


November in 8th grade began with an investigation of Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes just as the last quarter moon rolled in. Students learned important vocabulary using Nearpods and other types of practice. As we approached the coldest Thanksgiving on record, students conducted some wet labs such as the Electrolysis of water, to see evidence of chemical changes in the classroom. Students also learned how to carry out flame tests for hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
This month in Engineering students either finalized their solar car, created a passion project in Genius Hour, or completed different coding challenges using EV3 robots. They will be moving on to a new project during the month of the winter solstice!