26Nov

November News

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Middle school students enjoy Jerusalem 3D at the IMAX Theater.
Middle school students enjoy Jerusalem 3D at the IMAX Theater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passion Project

The eighth grade students are charging forward with their independent projects, spending time meeting with community experts and preparing for their pitches on Portfolio Day.

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This is heavy!
Hannah learns about photography from community expert Ginny B.
Hannah learns about photography from community expert Ginny B.
Brooke, Kendall, and Marley are learning how to use a camera to film their documentaries from Professor Benny Ron.
Brooke, Kendall, and Marley are learning how to use a camera to film their documentaries from Professor Benny Ron.
Future film maker, Sarah
Future film maker, Sarah

 

 

Kendall interviews Doreen Landrum, a psychologist, for her passion project.
Kendall interviews Doreen Landrum, a psychologist, for her passion project.
Charlie invites Mike Hickman, a comedian, into our classroom.
Charlie invites Mike Hickman, a comedian, into our classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eighth Grade Science

Students in the eighth grade continue to explore the exciting world of chemistry! This month they were introduced to atoms and the periodic table.  In addition to studying the history of atomic theory, the students explored periodic trends, properties of elements, and atomic bonding. This week we moved on to chemical reactions, exploring exothermic and endothermic reactions. When we return from break, the chemistry students will learn how to balance chemical equations and explore the different types of reactions.

Charlie plays the atomic model game with his peers.
Charlie plays the atomic model game with his peers.
Benji and Federico explore spectral flames and lines.
Benji and Federico explore spectral flames and lines.
Brooke, Hannah, and Marley make elephants toothpaste to experience an exothermic reaction.
Brooke, Hannah, and Marley make elephants toothpaste to experience an exothermic reaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineering

Engineering students looked to the skies this month, exploring physical concepts of flight, including thrust, drag, weight, and lift. Students designed butane rockets and banana man gliders. Next trimester, Engineering Part ll will focus on civil engineering concepts.

Sarah displays her glider.
Sarah displays her glider.
Benji's glider flew over 20 feet!
Benji’s glider flew over 20 feet!
Charlie ignites his butane rocket.
Charlie ignites his butane rocket.
Avi and Lue discuss their design.
Avi and Lue discuss their design.
Charlie demonstrates an airfoil design using a leaf blower!
Charlie demonstrates an airfoil design using a leaf blower!
Lue is ready for a test flight.
Lue is ready for a test flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixth Grade Science

This month the sixth grade students investigated Earth and it’s moon, focusing on tides, eclipses, seasons, and phases. Last week, the students were thrilled to begin a unit on space travel, turning our attention to Newton and his three laws of motion. The kids are busy designing and experimenting with straw rockets, balloon powered cars, and ultimately, will begin designing their water rockets as a culminating activity. We are incorporating important vocabulary such as velocity, inertia, force, thrust, acceleration, friction, air resistance, lift and gravity.

Perfect day fro a sun dial.
Perfect day fro a sun dial.

 

Courtney checks her sun dial, recording the time and distance.
Courtney checks her sun dial, recording the time and distance.
Students model a solar eclipse examining the umbra and penumbra.
Students model a solar eclipse examining the umbra and penumbra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nir and Carlos investigate the velocity of impact craters.
Nir and Carlos investigate the velocity of impact craters.
Abby uses Oreos to model the phases of the moon.
Abby uses Oreos to model the phases of the moon.
Our senior friends helped us design and build straw rockets. here Shira launches a rocket by stomping on a bottle.
Our senior friends helped us design and build straw rockets. here Shira launches a rocket by stomping on a bottle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixth Grade Math

With trimester exams behind us, the students have begun unit four, FRACTIONS! We will be reviewing how to add, subtract, multiply,  and divide fractions, as well as exploring how to convert fractions to decimals and percents.