Engineering Electromagnets!

The 8th grade was able to build their own electromagnets in the science lab! The students have been learning so much about electricity, magnetism and electromagnets (the movement of charged particles in a coil can create a magnetic field). For this lab, the scholars were given batteries, copper coils, iron nails and paperclips and were asked to build an electromagnet. They had a general understanding of the material but after completing this lab, there was no question on how electromagnets function. Students were able to play around with their designs by using different types of wire, changing the number of loops around the iron nail (more loops would make a stronger magnet due to the overlapping magnetic fields created from the charged particles flowing through the wire which is from the battery), and using different types of batteries. In the end, the 8th graders thoroughly enjoyed creating their own magnets and comparing the strengths of their magnets to each others.

STEM Fair begins….

Grades 4, 5, and 6 have begun working on their STEM Fair projects. Over the next 3 weeks, each grade has been tasked with creating a structure that utilizes renewable energy. Grade 4 has been charged with building a model highlighting how passive solar energy can power a structure. After learning about the nature of passive solar energy, they were put in teams, and together, with the aid of Mr. Casey, they are currently building their models. When their work is complete, they will present their ideas to the rest of the class. We can’t wait to see what these future engineers have in store for us!

Concept to Reality!

Equipped with their design, power tools, paint and a block of wood, 5th grade tech students were tasked with the job of developing their own boxwood derby car. They successfully completed this multi space project, starting in the Tech Lab with the design process, to the Makerspace for the actual construction of their design and finally to the Art Room where their creativity came to life. Students proudly took a concept and turned it into a reality. Bravo, 5th grade!

Constructing Homes For Others!

6th grade tech class ventured down to the Makerspace to tackle a two week project working with a different kind of tech! Students were tasked with constructing a birdhouse using power tools, screws, wood putty and paint. It was clear that this was a fun project by the amount of paint that made it onto our clothes instead of our birdhouses. But in the end, the projects were a great success and the neighborhood birds got some new homes as well!

Telling Time with the Sun!

Grade 4 has been working hard studying the Solar System. They recently worked with Mr. Casey in the Makerspace to create sundials, the oldest instrument for telling time. The surface of a sundial has markings for each hour of daylight. As the Sun moves across the sky, another part of the sundial casts a shadow on these markings. The position of the shadow shows what time it is. Once they finished creating the handmade sundials, they put them to the test outdoors. Thankfully it was a bright sunny day!

Energy and Energy Transformation

The first lab of the year for 8th graders was an incredible success! Students spent a week learning about potential and kinetic energy along with other various forms of energy (sound energy, thermal energy, electromagnetic energy, chemical energy, elastic potential energy, and more!) and then applied their knowledge by designing and building a functioning roller coaster. Students were placed into groups and moved outside to the back of the school where their creations began! Once students were happy with their tracks, they were given marbles to test if it would actually work. Along with designing and building these roller coasters, students were asked to answer a few lab questions regarding their designs. For example, the students drew models of their tracks once completed and then labeled their “blueprints”. These labels included information such as the types of energy present, where they are present, as well as why they are currently in effect. Overall, all of the students were able to construct working designs which were a blast to build!