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Middle School Science & Computers
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Science
Middle School Science, Fall 2010
by Mrs. Lutz
This year, middle school students at Immanuel Lutheran School (grades 6-8) are studying the three classic branches of science—Life Science (grade 6), Physical Science (grade 7), and Earth Science (grade 8). We are exploring the natural world and our role in it through many kinds of activities, including observations, demonstrations, original inquiry, readings and writings, online research, games, discussions, and the viewing of video clips. We are learning from our own experiences as well as soaking in the knowledge of current scientists and thinkers of the past. Our science program strives for a lively balance of discovery and instruction.
Grade 6 (“Life Science”) students have been studying animals, especially a group of animals that may not be familiar to us—invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals that have no backbones. They make up the majority of animals on Earth. We have—
- compared the growth of different samples of yeast
- determined which of several sponges was the most absorbent
- sketched class animals (tadpole, crickets, mealworms)
- compared groups (phyla) of invertebrates in terms of body structures, reproduction, defense, energy, and senses
- attempted to communicate, as many invertebrates do, by smell
- attempted to identify animals from huge images of their embryos
- sorted animals by type in an interactive online game format, “What Kind of Animal is This?”
- considered the intelligence many animals have in using and making tools
- analyzed how we humans have domesticated many animals for our own purposes
Grade 7 ice sphere inquiry
Grade 7 (“Physical Science”) students have been pursuing two topics simultaneously.
First, we are building two computers for our lab. In preparation for this, we have—
- discussed the history of technology, using the development of the light bulb as an example
- written biographies of several computer pioneers
- purchased two “do-it-yourself” kits
- started a discussion on our class Wiki about the materials used to make DVD’s that can be used over and over (read-writable)
Second, we have begun exploring properties and phases of matter. We have—
- demonstrated chemical change by passing electricity through a solution to “rust” nails
- used ice spheres to launch investigations about phases of matter
- watched a video about the plasma phenomena of polar auroras
- used a computer simulation to explore the effect of temperature and pressure on solids, liquids, and gases
Grade 8 crystal inquiryGrade 8 maps and globes
Grade 8 (“Earth Science”) students have been studying geology, especially mineral resources. We have
- mapped locations on globes using degrees of longitude and latitude
- sketched topographical maps using a water level technique
- struggled to make flat maps out of oranges
- discussed many aspects of the recent mining cave-in in Chile
- completed online research about birthstones
- identified minerals using several physical tests
- had a class Wiki discussion about the importance of salt to human civilization
- used Borax to grow crystals, and then to launch our own investigations about crystals
Our middle school science teacher, Mrs. Lutz, has joined a new program run by the Danbury Public Schools, in coordination with Western Connecticut State University, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Connecticut Science Center This program is called DESICA, which means Danbury Elementary Science Instructional Coaching Academy. This 3-year program is designed to increase student achievement in science, math, and reading. Approximately 30 teachers from public and private schools in and around Danbury meet throughout the school year and summer. We learn graduate-level science and math content as well as more effective teaching techniques. Teachers who are part of this program will in turn support other teachers in their schools to better integrate student learning in science, math, and literacy. We hope and plan for this program to have a positive impact on teachers, students, and schools.
http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/posters/Ecotoxicology/Embryonic_Dev_in_Alligators/embryo_stage_20.jpg
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