Middle School Scientists
9/26/2020
One of the main goals of science at the middle school level is to provide a solid foundation of scientific concepts, vocabulary, and skills so that students can confidently understand the world around them to ask deeper, meaningful, and more connecting questions in highschool and beyond. This year, students have been learning about structures, and simple machines as they move forward in the building of the PNA greenhouse (a PBL project with Mr. Johnson).
Before the Covid quarantine disruption, students had been building “Nifty Lifters” under a standard set of criteria. Basically, they needed to build a device that used two simple machines to lift a 600 gram soup can 5cm in height. Their devices needed to use as little input force as possible - revealing the mechanical advantage of the machines. To get a better handle on the true mechanical advantages of simple machines, our class did a number of labs. Investigative labs are particularly fun for students but they also require using a set protocol following the scientific method. As a class, we are working to understand how to write clear conclusions that use real results as the evidence behind the learning. Most of the time, science lab experiments are done with one or two partners. Often, partners have to divy up the tasks to be able to complete the lab on time. Students check their work with one another, ask questions and explain what they witnessing out loud to clarify for themselves or help each other. (While students may have to work closely with one another and share materials during these labs, they are required to wash their hands afterward and add any group materials to the sanitation bin for Covid - 19 precautions.) Fun-Yes! Solidifying Science Skills and Concepts-Yes! Technical Informational Writing - Yes! Many science labs also capture the essence of most 21st Century Skills:
Here’s to a whole year of science ahead! (For photos of students working on these labs, see previous blogs.) Understanding by Doing
9/19/2020
Even in times that we must physically distance, there is still room for learning by doing. This week students continued their studies on simple machines. While wrapping their heads around the physics behind the machines through focused labs, students decided if they might apply what they learned to their own devices. Partner teams have been challenged to build a device that will lift a 600gram weight using the mechanical advantages of simple machines. On Wednesday, we will test our machines by applying an input force - which should, hopefully be far less than 600 N! Pandemic Surprises
9/12/2020
Due to the Pandemic, Spring Hill Elementary (across Lake Otis) has become a safe haven for PNA Middle School, allowing students to run, play, climb, swing, and basically engage with one another. This playground, which is usually off limits to outsiders during the school day is open and available because ASD students are in school online! So PNA MS has moved in! Know your resources! It takes 10 minutes to walk over to the playground from PNA. We take a moment to eat and then the students play until it is time to head back to PNA. The best part is that MS students usually decide to play an all inclusive game like “Mouse on Ground”, or “Hide and Seek Tag” where everyone is encouraged to play. It is heartwarming to watch this group of 12-14 year olds take care of one another and ensure that each person is OK with the current game of choice. One day last week we extended our day at Spring Hill by bringing over a science activity - Seesaw Science (aptly named). In this activity, students worked to find the relationship between distance and weight by finding the balance point using different weights. Students are learning about simple machines as they work to build the greenhouse with Mr. Johnson. One reason activities like this may be better inside is because of the unpredictable wind gusts we had to contend with, but otherwise, things went well. Enjoy the photos! |
Sarah Mariner
Ms. Mariner earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Colorado State University, and was awarded a teaching certificate through the University of Alaska, Southeast. Her varied background includes being an environmental education field instructor in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Baja, Mexico. She also served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Archives
April 2021
Categories |