Click here to go to the Kids' Health website about body systems.
The students had the opportunity to choose between 2 final projects for our science energy unit: a penguin hut project and an eco-friendly toy project. If groups chose to build a hut for a penguin (ice cube), they designed a house using materials they thought would be good insulators. Then, we tested out the huts to see how well they kept the heat out. If groups chose to build an eco-friendly toy, they used recyclable materials to create a toy that used some sort of energy (solar, electrical, etc.). Check out the houses and toys below!
We have been exploring electricity and the transfer of energy from one place to another. We learned about the difference between series and parallel circuits. Additionally, we tested objects to see if they were insulators or conductors.
We had the opportunity to explore energy through multiple means. The kids generated enough energy on the energy bike to light up light bulbs, power a mini fan, and a mini hair dryer! We looked at the different in the amount of energy needed to light incandescent versus florescent bulbs. The students were able to explore static electricity with the Van de Graaff generator! At other stations, the students used snap circuits to build different types of circuits with different receivers--buzzers, lights, fans, etc. The final station was an electro-magnetic motor in which the students tried to get wire that was hooked up to a battery source to move on its own using only a magnet. The students worked on ecosystem projects to help them think through beneficial and harmful changes to ecosystems. We focused on how the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in an ecosystem interact and work together. We also looked at how changes to an ecosystem can be both beneficial or harmful to an organism depending upon the changes and their consequences. It was great to see the many different ways students fulfilled the requirements: skit, video, slideshow presentation, etc. We had a great time learning more about ecosystems today from Ms. Hoff from Glacier Ridge Metropark. The kids played a game that simulated how biotic and abiotic factors interact in an ecosystem. Some kids were the consumers, some were the producers, and some were the decomposers. We got to see first-hand what happens when an invasive plant or animal species is introduced into an ecosystem.
In science, we have been exploring ecosystems. We are specifically looking at how changes in an organism's environment may be beneficial or harmful to its survival--depending upon the change. We started out by researching the different types of ecosystems in Ohio.
The students researched a famous landform that was interesting to them. They focused on where the landform is located, how the landform was formed, and why people should visit. Click here to research a famous landform and gather information about it to help you create an advertisement.
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Miss Messenger
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