Hands-On Night 2014

The 5th graders hosted Hands-On Night for the 2nd-4th grade Beyond Basics students and their families. Each 5th grader chose an activity to teach and the families rotated through the stations. Here are some pictures from the event:

Shadowlands

Paperclip Logic Puzzles

Snap Circuits

Paper Airplane Contest

K'nex Race Cars

Origami

Build a Boat

K'nex Race Cars

Creating the paper airplanes

Brain Games

Build a Boat

Launching a paper airplane

Origami Instruction

Brain Games

K'nex Race Cars

3rd Grade Science Experiment

The students read about the biomechanics of pitching in baseball.  Then they conducted an experiment to see how angle impacts the trajectory of an object using a catapult to launch a marshmallow.  Here are some pictures of the scientists at work:

3rd Grade Trip to the Coterie

We watched a musical that featured many of the songs from School House Rock.  It was quite entertaining.  Then we ate lunch and played in the free Oz play area.

Best seats in the house-right in front of the stage.

Playing in munchkin land.

Sitting in a munchkin house.

2nd Grade Famous Vokis

The 2nd graders each studied the biography of a famous gifted and talented person.  Then they wrote an I Am poem as if they were that famous person.  This is the Voki they created using their I Am poem about their famous person.

Dr. Seuss by Ethan
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673731&height=267&width=200

Winston Churchill by Madilyn
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673843&height=267&width=200

Michael Jordan by Evan

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673596&height=267&width=200

Einstein by Savanna

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673678&height=267&width=200

Roald Dahl by Randall

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673712&height=267&width=200

Steven Spielberg by Heidi

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673763&height=267&width=200

Whoopi Goldberg by Reese 

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673795&height=267&width=200

Jim Carrey by Jase

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673665&height=267&width=200

Tom Cruise by John 

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673742&height=267&width=200

Walt Disney by Rylan

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673750&height=267&width=200

Whoopi Goldberg by Drew

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=9673904&height=267&width=200

5th Grade Trip to UMKC

We traveled to the UMKC campus.  Our first stop was the Geosciences museum where we learned about fossils and rocks.  We saw a mammoth tooth, saber-toothed cat skull, and many precious gems.  Then we saw a demonstration of a hexacopter by Dr. Fields.  Next we toured the areas where the teams (robotics, steel structures, etc.) get ready for competitions. Finally, the students split into group of 4 and built bridges. They tried to build the strongest bridge with the fewest materials.  It was an exciting trip!

Geosciences museum

Geosciences museum

This is what happens when a bolt of lightning strikes the ground. 

Hexacopter Demonstration

Touring the maintenance building where teams build buggies, bridges, etc. for competitions.

4th Grade Bridge Building Challenge

The students read through the SuperScience magazine today.    One article they read was about how special bridges are being built in California that will withstand strong earthquakes.  Then the students worked in pairs to design a bridge that would hold the most weight (pennies).  Here are some pictures of the activity:

3rd Grade Bridge Building Challenge

Today the students read an article about how special bridges are being built in California that will withstand strong earthquakes.  Then the students worked in pairs to design a bridge that would hold the most weight (pennies).  Here are some pictures from the experiment:

2nd Grade Trip to Penrod's Greenhouse

It was a beautiful day for a trip to Penrod's Greenhouse. We toured the facilities and learned about the operations.  There were interesting plants and various machines that help the greenhouse run smoothly.  Then the students got to put a pansy in a pot to take home.  Here are some pictures of our trip:

5th Grade Trip to Harvesters

The students (and adults) worked hard today.  We bagged carrots and apples.  I am so proud of this hardworking group! 

4th Grade Trip to the Steamboat Arabia Museum

We traveled to the Steamboat Arabia Museum.  It was amazing to learn about the artifacts and see them in person.  The process of restoration was also incredible to learn about.

This a wheel that is the same size as the one on the Steamboat Arabia.

This is the piece of walnut driftwood that caused the Steamboat Arabia to sink.

This is the only casualty from the wreck; a mule they have since named Lawrence (as in Lawrence of Arabia).

2nd Grade Angles and Trajectory Experiment

The students read about the biomechanics of pitching in baseball.  Then they conducted an experiment to see how angle impacts the trajectory of an object using a catapult to launch a marshmallow.  Here are some pictures of the scientists at work: