After a short lesson about batteries, my first grade scientists used a battery to make simple circuits.  For one of our circuits, we used a C battery and a section of Christmas lights. I demonstrated how to strip the ends to reveal the wires.

We also used energy sticks to create human circuits. This is such a fun science tool! The entire class held hands to complete the circuit and then we divided into small groups to experiment with them. Click here to learn more about how the energy stick works.

In our final activity, I demonstrated how to complete a circuit using a potato as your energy source.

Dr. Jurgens spoke to my third grade classes about the skeletal system and the field of radiology. Love having scientists share their expertise with my students!

Kindergarten’s lab focused on balance. We stood on one foot, then the other, and then on one foot with our eyes closed. We observed what we did with our arms when we began to lose our balance. One of my little physicists suggested that we stare at something to help us keep our balance. Then we tried to balance books on our head and we walked forward and backward on a balance beam. My scientists used a number balance (one of my favorite math tools) with a lab partner to balance equations.

At the end of lab, we took out our balance birds. The children were fascinated with this simple science tool. Just look at those faces. I have the best job ever!

First grade scientists loved investigating static electricity! Like magnets, it is another invisible force that can make objects move. We made Styrofoam balls dance inside static tubes. After rubbing balloons on wool, the balloon pulled up our hair and stuck to the wall. We used static electricity to make the snake twist and the paper man dance. I used a fun fly stick to make foil shapes levitate. Static electricity was also able to pull a can across the floor. Click here to view the video that we watched about static electricity.

First grade scientists completed three magnet investigations in this lab. We used our knowledge of attract and repel to make the cars push and pull. (It was a western wear dress down day.)

We made a temporary magnet by rubbing a nail in the same direction, at least 50 times, alongside a bar magnet. Afterwards, we were able to attract paperclips with our nails. Rubbing the nail lines up the molecules.

During our last lab, we discovered that the magnetic force can move through solids and today we learned that the force can also move through liquids. The challenge was to pull all of the paperclips out of the water-filled jar without touching the water.

Pre-First engineers are studying the Arctic and were asked to construct an igloo. Materials included cotton balls, marshmallows, toothpicks, sugar cubes, cups, and glue. Although this was a difficult task, they persevered! Every time their igloos collapsed, they changed their design and tried again.

We are also building an igloo from water/milk jugs, but we are in need of additional jugs to complete it. If you have any in your recycling bins, please send them to the Science Lab. We can’t wait until it is finished, and we can sit inside and read.

Sunday was a beautiful day to attend Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Family Fun Day. This gem is located in Roswell and it is a great place to learn about the Chattahoochee River watershed and the animals and plants found there. Click here for more information about the Nature Center and upcoming events. I went on a bird walk with representatives from the Audubon Society, dropped by booths to collect field trip ideas, visited the live animal exhibits and shows, and just enjoyed being outside on this unseasonably warm day. My favorite part of the day was an interactive lecture by a scientist from the Center for Biologically Inspired Design at Georgia Tech. He spoke about biomimicry or how we are learning to solve human problems by using animals as our model. Photos below are of Beaver Pond, inside the Discovery Center, Tinker Station, Unity Garden, and one of the creature features.

Animals continue to amaze me! When temperatures are below freezing, our ducks will swim in a circle ensuring some of the pond remains unfrozen. They need water to drink and a means to escape predators.

I have been teaching my fourth grade scientists about the water cycle. So cool to see those clouds from an airplane.