Of course we all know Newton’s Three Laws of Motion (inertia, momentum, equal and opposite reactions) … right? Our students know them now thanks to Marble Rollercoasters! Using foam pool noodles, marbles, and toothpicks we designed and built Marble Rollercoasters complete with drops, curves, loops, and jumps. In […]
Yearly Archives: 2016
9 posts
We all use batteries every day. Cars, phones, toys, TV remotes, and especially XBOX controllers wouldn’t work without them. But how do batteries actually work? Did you know you can make electricity from a potato? Although generally skeptical at first, all our students soon realized that it […]
In our after-school program we are studying ecology and the world around us. When we spent the afternoon outside on our “Creepy Crawly Critter Scavenger Hunt” we discovered that there are many interesting and exciting insects all around us, even in the fields behind the school. After that we created worm boxes — […]
As part of our continuing focus on water conservation, we helped our students understand the importance of caring for our watershed. In these sessions our students built models of a watershed — complete with hills, valleys, streams, lakes, and waterfalls. Then they simulated rain and watched what happened to both solid […]
In many of our activities we encourage students to create and construct projects (primarily using recycled materials, of course!) that demonstrate the science they are learning. As part of this we reinforce the Engineering Process: Design & Identify needed materials Construction Testing Modifications/Improvements Communication of results
At our After-School Enrichment program at John Muir Elementary, we recently had a great time playing … I mean learning … about dry ice and how it sublimes directly from solid to gas. The kids got to put the dry ice in a tub of water (using protective gloves, […]
Today at one of our school site CSWs, kids followed 3 different recipes for bubble solution. They then made polyhedral bubble wands (which is surprisingly calming – so much focus!!) With 15 minutes left in the workshop, we tested out each solution, students finally stood behind their favorite and explained […]
We’ve been busy getting this year’s CSWs started up. Last week we talked about air pressure & made balloon cars – it was cool to hear students explain why the knew the air would deflate out of a balloon. Sometimes it’s difficult to explain things that we just know to […]
We just wrapped up our second year making Gak with students at John Muir. Approximately 400 students, TK – 5th grade made and explored the fascinating Non-Newtonian fluid. Class discussions included examples and descriptions of liquids, solids and gases. Upper grades also talked about polymers, molecules, elements, chemicals, and chemical reactions. […]