Communication - Grade 5

The fifth graders recorded their speeches this week featuring a self-selected scientist.  After completing all of their research, the fifth graders wrote a biography about their scientist.  They communicated their findings with others by creating an iMovie.  They deserve a round of applause because it is no easy task to give a speech in front of your peers at any age. Well done!

Graphing Gurus - Grade 4

The fourth graders refined their graphing skills this week by creating bar graphs from last week's Swinging Pendulum experiment.  We used the mnemonic device TAILS to help us remember the parts of a graph. Title, Axis, Interval, and Labels. We also discussed that graphs are used for helping us see patterns in our data. Students also did a wonderful job making predictions after observing the graph's decreasing pattern.

Expanding Our Minds - Grade 3

After studying a variety of cool careers in science, and using an array of science skills themselves, the third graders showed much growth as they drew a second picture of "What Does a Scientist Look Like."  We no longer see scientists solely as men wearing lab coats.  The scientists are out in the field, studying in nature.  Excellent job, third grade!

Cool Careers in Science - Grade 5

The fifth graders finished up their in-depth look at cool careers in science.  Next week they will share their research with classmates and make an iMovie of their work.  Check back soon!

Putting the scientific method to work - grade 4

The fourth graders applied last week's notes about the scientific method to an investigation this week.  The question was asked: which type of swing will go back and forth the most with only one push, a longer swing or a shorter swing?  We created and tested a variety of pendulum lengths to find out. 
When asked what you want to tell the world that you learned today?  This was one student's reply.
"I learned that a short pendulum swings more times in 30 seconds than a long pendulum."
Jack R.
Ms. Godfrey's class

Investigating and Observing - Grade 3

The third graders refined their observation skills and made predictions about items hidden in the "Mystery Bags."  This is an activity you could recreate at home with household and everyday items.  Ask students to identify what sound it makes and what it feels like before making a prediction.

"I hear rattling.  It feels round and hard which makes me think it is beads or beans of some kind."

How Scientists Work - Grade 5

The fifth graders dug deep into a whole new world of science careers that they didn't even know existed.  The crazy part is that many of the science careers that they will be applying for one day don't even exist yet.  Fifth graders chose one scientist to learn more about and will be writing a biography over the next few lessons.  Research has just begun so check back soon!

Studying Science - Grade 4

The fourth graders explored mystery sound boxes this week. They made observations, inferences, and hypotheses based on what they thought was in the mystery box.  I am sorry to say that I wouldn't tell them what was actually inside.  It was more important that they demonstrated such skillful observations.  It didn't matter if they were right or wrong.

Later in the week students reviewed the steps of the Scientific Method.  You can watch the video at home or even sing along with the karaoke song http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm

Investigating Questions - Grade 3

The third graders opened up their minds after discussing "What does a scientist look like?" Many of the original drawings shows male scientists with crazy hair and wearing lab coats.  After exploring a variety of science careers such as a Computer Graphics Engineer and an Orthotist, the third graders have a much broader outlook.
"A scientist can be anybody because even we are scientists who make observations", said one third grader.  They finished up the week distinguishing qualitative observations vs. quantitative observations.

Our First Week

This was a big week in STEM enrichment.  We spent some time getting to know each other with icebreakers as well as discovering that STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  All of the Knights seemed very excited about what lies ahead.  We also worked on some team building activities because scientists can't change the world alone. 

Throughout the week we also used a variety of skills that (by no coincidence) are also skills that good scientists use.  The students felt that the skills they focused on most this week were GOOD COMMUNICATION, ANALYSIS, DESIGNING & TESTING A PLAN, DRAWING CONCLUSIONS, MAKING MODELS, ASKING QUESTIONS, and CLASSIFICATION. 

Pictures coming soon!