Over the past month, the Science and Innovation Center has been a flurry of learning and excitement as we gear up for the big Environment Expo! Here is a sneak peek into our classrooms.

6th grade science 

The students in sixth grade have truly embraced the global climate change service projects. Each group has not only become experts on one of the effects of climate change, but has designed and implemented a project with the objective of both bringing awareness to the problem and acting as instruments of change. They are anxious to share their documentary films at the Environment Expo on Friday!

Katie, Jessica, and Aiden researched the effects on health, including an increase in the spread of mosquito borne diseases. They invited Laura Alter from Wondercide to speak to our class about her all-natural insect repellents and then set about making their own natural repellent to raise money for women in areas affected by Zika, Dengue, and West Nile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan, Eddie and Ben studied the effects of climate change on wildlife and ecosystems. They raised money to plant a fruit tree grove. The boys also built bird houses, made bird baths out of repurposed materials, and taught the kindergarten children how to make bird feeders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eli, Yoav, and Noah focused on global climate change and its effect on coral reefs. As a means to lower our carbon emissions, they learn about vermi-composting. The boys gave presentations to all of the classes at AJA, teaching the students how to compost in their classrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liora, Ally, and Rafi looked at the various ways that global climate change affects the amount of energy we consume. In an effort to reduce our reliance on corporate farming, the students campaigned to bring chickens to our campus and start an egg business!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eden, Yona, and Liri studied the effects of global climate change on agriculture. They collect over 150 plastic bottles and invited all of the classes to learn about the importance of recycling AND growing your own food. Each child planted herbs in a used plastic container which is now part of the “plastic garden” on our library balcony. The students are anxious to add their worm castings to their plastic planters!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th and 7th grade PLTW

In engineering class, the students have been learning about product life cycles. Groups of students were given products (toasters, radios, curling irons, coffee makers, etc) and asked to take them apart. Once the appliances were disassembled, the students conducted product assessments to determine the product’s impact the environment. Then they used their analyses to compare the impacts of their products to other products, and suggest ways to reduce environmental impact based on their analyses. Finally, students chose a product, researched the product’s 8 stage life cycle and presented a poster to the class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7th grade science

Students in 7th grade have begun a new unit: the human body! We began with the muscular and skeletal system, focusing on the human body as a simple machine. Students conducted investigations aimed at building an understanding of energy, force and work as it pertains to the human body. Presently, students are tasked with applying their understand of these systems while building a prosthetic arm for a young girl in Afghanistan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th grade math

Last week we concluded Chapter 8: Geometric relationships. We will now turn our focus to Chapter 9 where we will focus on measurement!