Author: Karen Dux

Students in 6th grade Guidance are learning about the world of work by participating in a life/work exploration program called The Real Game.  Students take on a randomly assigned “occupation”, and role-play situations and issues that apply to working adults. Students are learning concepts related to their future career choices and quality of life, such as major purchases, monthly budgets, time management, and leisure time choices and expenses.

The third graders have been discovering science through distance learning this year.  Our science guy, Derek from Educational Service Unit 3, has had us explore making root beer to learn the properties of matter, penny boats to learn about buoyancy and mass, and oreo moons to learn about the lunar cycle.  The third grade enjoy the hands on learning (and of course the treats) as they gain knowledge about important scientific concepts.

Again, our school district has partnered up with ESU 5 for science.  Each year the Dave Henning, our ESU 5 science teacher, creates different experiments for students to try.  Most of our science experiments from the ESU are done through the Internet by using a computer program where the students are able to hear and see Mr. Henning, and he is able to hear and see the students.  Mr. Henning does come to the school about once a quarter for some of the big and fun experiments.

So far this year, Mr. Henning has had the students make and launch paper rockets,  make a cantilever with only tape and straws, and the last experiment was building a bridge with thirty-five popsicle sticks and two long pieces of tape.  Their challenge  was to construct a bridge strong enough to hold eight rolls of pennies.  The “winning” group’s bridge was able to hold seven rolls before collapsing under the weight.

If you would like to see pictures and want more information about our experiments so far this year you can follow Mr. Evans on Twitter @EvansClassroom and/or ESU 5 science @ESU5scienceguys.