On to our next unit, Physical Science. We're going to be focusing on some aspects of chemistry: atoms, mixtures & pure substances, density, conservation of mass, physical & chemical changes, and heat energy. Sounds like a lot- also sounds like we can do some interesting hands-on labs. I'm sure everyone has done the old baking soda + vinegar reaction. Do you know why it bubbles up so much? What gas is being produced? Here are some interesting sites to check out!
Steve Spangler Chemistry Experiments
Greenfield Community College is hosting a Science and Sustainability Expo on Saturday, March 7th. It has been put together by Greening Greenfield, the Kid Wind Project and EnergyTeachers.org. The Expo is free, open to the public and is geared toward students in grades 3-12. It will be an oppotunity to see projects and research related to the environment, ecology and sustainability.
If you'd like more information, or a registration form, go to www.greeninggreenfield.org
Hmmmm.....perhaps this will be a required field trip for my Museum Assistants....
At the end of April the Eighth Grade Academy is going to coordinate and host a Science Museum. All students will be given a science standard from the MA state frameworks and will create an interactive display that will clearly explain and demonstrate their standard. For example: A display on phases of the moon could include a light bulb and some moon pops. We're going to invite families to come tour the museum one evening, and the following day all students will go through and take notes. This is designed to be: 1) fun, 2) review for MCAS, 3) fun.
Time flies when you're having fun, so I know April will be here before we know it (it's about -5 degrees outside as I write this!). I'm looking for a handful of students who are interested in helping me with some of the planning and coordination. I'm also willing to help any students who would be interested in delving deeper into a standard to create something spectacular!
I'm hoping to meet during my afterschool hours on Wednesdays and get started when we're back from February vacation.
