The Big Trip!
4/29/2018
This week, the Fourth Grade took a trip to the Challenger Learning Center, in Kenai, Alaska, where they participated in activities related to science and engineering. The focus for the trip was on teamwork, but in the pictures below you can see that just because they were focused on learning didn't stop them from having fun! Day 1!Our first stop, once we reached Kenai, was for lunch. We'd been in the car for about three hours, and the students were ready to eat some high calorie lunches and then stretch their legs and burn off some stored energy! When we finally arrived at the Challenger Learning Center, we quickly checked in and the students checked out their new digs -- bunks that were built to resemble those that might be found in a space station! As might have been expected, students quickly staked out the top bunks, unpacked and then got down to business -- space business! Not much later, they found themselves in a rocketry class, where students broke into groups and started work on constructing their own rockets, propelled by air pressure. There were some bumps in the road to success, and not all of the groups had an easy time of it. Eventually, though, things worked out for everyone and after the successful completion of their first generation rockets, fourth graders built a second generation of rocket that was to be launched outside. In the video below, each student watches their creations rocket into the sky! And, after all of their hard work at rocketry, students were treated to a delicious pizza dinner! To cap off the night, before bed students reflected on their performance within the team. They were asked to write about two things they were proud to have done, and two things they thought they could have done better. Students were then asked to name, out loud, at least one thing they were happy with, but allowed to keep their two areas of improvement a secret. (With the understanding that they would work on those two areas through the rest of the trip!) Day 2!On the second day, after an early morning reflection on how they'd done the day before, students were ready to tackle another class -- this one focused on Climate Change. Students learned about the differences between weather and climate, and took a look at how humans have impacted the climate of the earth. They were then asked to take a closer look at the rise of the earth's temperature, by simulating climate change effects with a heat lamp. In a series of experiments, students predicted and then tracked the change of temperature on different colored pieces of paper. In the video below, students track the changes! On the way back, there was time for lunch at Chair Five, a restaurant in Girdwood owned by PNA parents! In the photo below, Jackson, Kenny and David pose with a newfound sense of camaraderie! For more information on the Challenger Learning Center of Kenai, Alaska, please hit the LAUNCH! button, below!
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Martina HenkeMartina Henke has been a K-8 educator for 30+ years. A life-long learner, she loves working with kids of all ages, new technology, great books, fiber arts, and her wonderful family! Archives
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