2^nd, 3^rd, & 5^th Grade Experiments for May “in summary:”

5-16-12 (NOT 5-9-12) W, 1:00-2:00, 3^rd Grade, Solar Systems:

Students learned about our solar system.  Did you know it has no name?  We live in a nameless solar system in a spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.  Concepts of size and unique features of the eight planets were examined.  Students created a scale model of the solar system placing planets along a path from the sun.  It’s amazing how far apart the planets really are and how different they are in size and characteristics.  A smaller model of our solar system was also created noting elliptical orbits. On August 24, 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, or planetoid.  Out of the three criteria for being classified as a planet, Pluto only met one.  Pluto does rotate on a fixed axis, but it does not have a hard rigid surface (it is smooth and cloudy), and it does not clear its surroundings (it is among a lot of other large bodies).

5-16-12 W (Coduto, 2B) & 5-18-12 F (Bradburn, 2A), 1:00-2:00, 2^nd grade, Microscopes:

Students learned about microscopes and were given the opportunity to use three different types.  The first was the common “simple microscope,” a magnifying lens that orientates objects right side up and larger.  The second two were “compound microscopes” that provide greater magnification, but turn objects upside down and backwards.  The two used were 30X Hand-Held Microscopes, and the Boreal Light Microscope.  Various objects were looked at with the hand-held microscope including textiles (fabrics), rocks & minerals, photos, and various objects in real life.  Through the Light-Microscope, they viewed plant cells, animal cells, insects, sea life, textiles, pollens and pores, tiny creatures, and bacteria.

5-17-12 Th, 12:00-2:00, 5^th Grade, Sound:

Students learned about sound.  The general concept is that sound travels via a wave.  It is the “energy” from a vibrating object that travels through a wave (analogous to water waves) creating a sound wave that is received by our ears. Sound waves need a medium to travel through (solid, liquid, or gas) as the energy is transferred from one particle to another.  This is why we cannot hear sound in space:  there are no molecules to transfer the energy of the vibration. Various stations were set up to observe sound.  Slinky sound waves were produced and compared to concentric waves in water.  The concept of pitch was observed by making sounds with nails and tubes, and rubber bands.  Sounds were conducted through various mediums of solids, liquids, and gas where it was observed that each produced a unique type of sound.  Paper towel tubes were used to focus and amplify sounds in the same way a stethoscope does.  Origination of sounds was observed by observing the ears and brain in action and then by tricking it.  Our brains can discern where a sound comes from because it compares arrival times of the sound at each ear.  Using a tube over one ear can trick the brain into thinking the sound came from somewhere else.  Pressing a string against the outer ear to which various sized spoons and a clothes hangar can be tied showed students how to create a different types of chime…  some with higher pitches (spoons) and some with lower pitches (hangar).

THANK YOU!  Volunteers make this program great!!!

Questions? Please e-mail Meredith at lisleburkes@comcast.net, or call 853-4831.

Kindergarten and 5^th Grade Experiments for May “in summary:”

5-2-12 W, 1:00-1:30, Kindergarten, Chemical Change:

Students learned about physical and chemical changes with a “hands-on” focus on chemical changes.  One reaction was demonstrated of baking soda + vinegar + dish soap showing a reaction that created an over-flowing bubbly fountain.  On their own, the students used vinegar + salt to create a weak hydrochloric acid solution to clean the tarnish off pre-1982 pennies.  Physical changes involve a change of shape or state, but the item still remains chemically “the item.”  Chemical changes typically occur when one or more items are brought together to make a “new item” that has a different chemical composition.

5-8-12 T, 10:00-11:30 or 12:30 to 2:00, 5^th grade, “Energy” by DuPage Children’s Museum:

Students learned about “ENERGY.”  Potential & kinetic energy concepts were explored along with where energy comes from and how it is used to do “work.”  At one station, students explored the designs of “cars” driven by wind, gravity, solar, chemical (battery), elasticity (rubber band), and a combination of elasticity & wind (balloon) sources.  At a second station, the students created a “pet spool” toy that used the student’s kinetic energy that they transferred to the rubber band by twisting it where it was stored as potential energy.  Then, when the toy was released on the floor, they saw that potential energy converted into kinetic energy used to propel the toy across the floor.  At a third station, the students explored wind power and how to use that resource to “fuel” various items.  No matter how hard the group teams tried, they couldn’t get all 12 items powered.  Our winner was 8 items fueled by dividing up the air stream with various devices!  There was just not enough wind to fuel “it all” emphasizing how precious our energy resources are and the real limitations on how they can be used.  At a fourth station, the students used water power to move various items up and down an elevator.  They learned that weight matters when using energy.  While light items could be lifted quickly and easily with the water wheel and pulley system, the heavier items required more water power, which in some cases was just not available to do the work.  At the fifth station, the students used a “student-sized” rubber band car, and various toys to see energy in action.

THANK YOU!  Volunteers make this program great!!!

Questions? Please e-mail Meredith at lisleburkes@comcast.net, or call 853-4831.

Experiments for May (original volunteer list from fall scheduling):

Volunteers, PLEASE: Contact your grade Coordinator with any concerns or conflicts you may encounter. They will manage volunteer substitutions, experiment details, questions, etc.  They are listed on the Master Schedule at this link:  http://school.sjalisle.org/images/stories/downloads/hosmasterschedule.pdf

5-2-12 W, 1:00-1:30, Kindergarten, Chemical Change:

K1: Konder/Simon as Lead, with Morse, Pitello, and Van Dyke as Helpers, and Cadell as Float.

K2: Dixit as Lead, with Ibarrola, Magis, and Thomson as Helpers, and Gurgone as Float.

K3: Haenicke as Lead, with S. Bratthauar, Gabel, and Keating as Helpers, and Schwander as Float..

5-8-12 T, 10:00-11:30 or 12:30 to 2:00, 5^th grade,  “Energy” by DuPage Children’s Museum:

***NOTE:  This was a rescheduled experiment from 4-19-12 “Machines”***

***Final student assignment to time slot ‘to be determined’***

5A: Briggs, Dempsey, Kickel

5B: Camba, Cribari , Garney, Littell, Schwander

5-16-12  (NOT 5-9-12)  W, 1:00-2:00, 3^rd Grade, Solar Systems:

3A: Allen as Lead, with Beranek, Etheridge, Larkin, and Piscopo as Helpers, with Boone as Float.

3B: Mosteller as Lead with Nawrocki as back-up/float, with Camba, Duray, and Higgins as Helpers.

5-16-12 W (Coduto, 2B) & 5-18-12 F (Bradburn, 2A), 1:00-2:00, 2^nd grade, Microscopes:

2A: Schwander as Lead, with Kedzior, Maduzia, and Sparacino as Helpers, with L. Heiden as Float.

2B: Perzentka as Lead, with Fleurima, Llewellyn, Maduzia, Sharafinski, and Van Dyke as Helpers, with S. Bratthauar as Float.

5-17-12 Th, 12:00-2:00, 5^th Grade, Sound:

Dempsey as Lead, with John Benish, Camba, Garney, and Kickel as Helpers, and Jen Benish as Float.

5-25-12 F, 9:30-11:30, 4^th Grade, Solid, Liquid, Gas:

Sue Jennings as Lead, with Crabtree, Daly, Eldrenkamp, Flowers, Hunn, Keating, Parks, Simon/Konder, and Weizeorick as Helpers, and with Kolin and Vesely as Float.

THANK YOU!  Volunteers make this program great!!!

Questions? Please e-mail Meredith at lisleburkes@comcast.net, or call 853-4831.

I.   Contact your grade Coordinator with any concerns or conflicts you may encounter.  They are listed on the Master Schedule at this link:  http://school.sjalisle.org/images/stories/downloads/hosmasterschedule.pdf

II.  The Volunteer Appreciation Mass is scheduled for May 18th at 8:15, with a reception to follow in the gym.  Please attend!  Everyone who has participated in the HoS program in any way is most appreciated by the students, teachers, parents, and the HoS Program as a whole!  THANK YOU!!!

III.  Experiments for April:

4-13-12 F, 9:30-11:30, 4th grade, Recycling:
Butler as Lead, with Arndt, Daly, Lang, Parks, Sobolewski, Thompson, Walls, and Zlioba as Helpers, and with Kolin and Vesely as Float.
=> Students learn basics of recycling.  Properties of oils and how they react in various media, the art of making recycled paper, the value and process of composting, and the process of recycling will all be addressed.  For more information, SCARCE, 799 Roosevelt Road, bldg 3, Glen Ellyn, IL  60137, 630-545-9710 can be contacted, and is a great resource for more information.

4-13-12 F (Bradburn, 2A) & 4-18-12 W (Coduto, 2B), 1:00-2:00, 2nd grade, Geology:
*note volunteer changes & class dates from last HoS Blog post.*
** Extra parent helpers welcome!!!  Call or e-mail Lisa Maduzia.**
2A: Ciarrachi as Lead with Daniels, Thompson, Walsh, Heiden, and Maduzia as Float.
2B: Perzentka as Lead with Daly, Eldercamp, and Maduzia as Float.  **
=> Students learn basics of mineral identification.  Tests will be run to investigate physical properties, color, streak, luster, hardness, and cleavage.  Data will be used to identify some of the minerals tested.

4-19-12 Th, 12:00-2:00, 5th grade, Machines & Energy: RESCHEDULED TO 5-8-12

IV.   Did you volunteer for an experiment in 2012?  Please check your inboxes for a brief follow-up survey.  All information will be used to “better” the experiments for next year’s students.  Please take a moment to let me know “what worked,” “what didn’t,” and “what to watch out for” next year.  If you have any ideas how to improve the experiment you worked (grade appropriate science, experiment set-ups, equipment used, student worksheets, volunteer staffing, etc.)  Please let me know!

V.  The Master Schedule of experiments for 2012/13 has been drafted, and is available below.  There may be minor changes to times, but the dates should be fairly firm.  )

THANK YOU!  Volunteers make this program great!!!
Questions?  Please e-mail Meredith at lisleburkes@comcast.net, or call 853-4831.

Click here for tentative HOS 2012/2013 Calendar.

Hands on Science, 3-19-12 weekly update.

I.   Contact your grade Coordinator with any concerns or conflicts you may encounter.  They are listed on the Master Schedule at this link:  http://school.sjalisle.org/images/stories/downloads/hosmasterschedule.pdf

II.  Experiments for March & April:

1.    4-13-12 F, 9:30-11:30, 4th grade, Recycling:
Scott Butler as Lead, with Arndt, Daly, Lang, Parks, Sobolewski, Thompson, Walls, and Zlioba as Helpers, and with Kolin and Vesely as Float.
=>  Students learn basics of recycling.  Properties of oils and how they react in various media, the art of making recycled paper, the value and process of composting, and the process of recycling will all be addressed.  For more information, SCARCE, 799 Roosevelt Road, bldg 3, Glen Ellyn, IL  60137, 630-545-9710 can be contacted, and is a great resource for more information.

2.    *new date*  4-13-12 F (Coduto, 2B) & 4-18-12 W (Bradburn, 2A), 1:00-2:00, 2nd grade, Geology:
2A: Bojkovski as Lead, with Arndt, Hasse, L. Heiden, and Ryan as Helpers, with Maduzia as Float.
2B: Maduzia as Lead, with Fleurima, Larkin, Perzentka and Rizzi as Helpers, with Zurek as Float.
=> Students learn basics of mineral identification.  Tests will be run to investigate physical properties, color, streak, luster, hardness, and cleavage.  Data will be used to identify some of the minerals tested.

3.   4-19-12 Th, 12:00-2:00, 5th grade, Machines:
Schwander as Lead, with Camba, Dempsey, Kickel, and Garney as Helpers, and Cribari as Float.
=> ***This experiment may be substituted for a presentation on Energy… *** We will post more details soon!

III.   Did you volunteer for an experiment in 2012?  Please check your inboxes for a brief follow-up survey.  All information will be used to “better” the experiments for next year’s students.  Please take a moment to let me know “what worked,” “what didn’t,” and “what to watch out for” next year.  If you have any ideas how to improve the experiment you worked (grade appropriate science, experiment set-ups, equipment used, student worksheets, volunteer staffing, etc.)  Please let me know!

THANK YOU!  Volunteers make this program great!
Questions?  Please e-mail Meredith at lisleburkes@comcast.net , or call 853-4831.