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Hello, Scientists!
I'm so happy to say that Science is back this year! We will have Science class in a new space--the Art Room is now the Art AND Science Room! Get ready and get curious! -Ms. Klimkosky (Ms. K.) |
Stacey Klimkosky
klimkoskys@truromass.org
Student Scientists in Action!
Fairy House Challenge
During Learning from Home in Spring 2020, TCS Scientists explored their backyards and engineered Fairy Houses. The video directions are here. Below, check out some of the creative ways kids used materials from their yards to build their houses.
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June 8th is WORLD OCEAN DAY!
Here's how we celebrated in 2020! |
Cells and Bacteria
March 11, 2020
We were amazed at how effective hand washing with soap can be!
We were amazed at how effective hand washing with soap can be!
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The 6th grade class recently finished up their unit on Plant and Animal Cells. Back in December, we thought a bit about bacteria and how, since it is cellular, it is living. We also thought about how one of the characteristics of living organisms is their ability to reproduce. The ability to "make more of its own type of cell" was easy for them to understand when it came to plant and animal cells. But what about things like mold, bacteria, and microorganisms? Our school nurse, Mrs. Grimm, jumped into the discussion and we decided to try to grow our own bacteria using plain old white bread and some plastic baggies.
We sanitized a pair of kitchen tongs to remove a piece of bread from the bag and closed it in a ziploc for our control. Next, one of the 6th graders rubbed their unwashed hands on a piece and bagged it. Another student washed their hands with soap and water and did the same. A third used hand sanitizer. Ms. Klimkosky put on a pair of sterile gloves and rubbed a piece of bread all over her cell phone. |
Students also asked that one of them lick a piece of bread (wearing gloves) and another piece of bread was wiped on and near the handle of a bathroom stall. This was way back on January 20, 2020. Then we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then all of a sudden, right before February vacation, we started to see signs of growth.
This is what our experiment looked like on March 5. Mrs. Grimm was able to review the importance of proper hand washing with all students as a mini Science lesson that week. Students in Grades 2 and up also learned about the details of bacteria experiment (they've been keeping an eye on it these past two months--they comments have ranged from "wow, that's gross" to "wow, that's cool") and were able to see first hand about how washing their hands absolutely helps keep germs away. As of March 11, 2020, the "soap washed hands" piece of bread still has NO MICROORGANISMS GROWING! Wow! (FYI, neither does the piece of bread handled with hand sanitizer. Hand washing with soap is preferred, but in a pinch, hand sanitizer works well, too. Also, FYI, Ms. Klimkosky learned a valuable lesson too and now makes sure she cleans her cell phone.)
This is what our experiment looked like on March 5. Mrs. Grimm was able to review the importance of proper hand washing with all students as a mini Science lesson that week. Students in Grades 2 and up also learned about the details of bacteria experiment (they've been keeping an eye on it these past two months--they comments have ranged from "wow, that's gross" to "wow, that's cool") and were able to see first hand about how washing their hands absolutely helps keep germs away. As of March 11, 2020, the "soap washed hands" piece of bread still has NO MICROORGANISMS GROWING! Wow! (FYI, neither does the piece of bread handled with hand sanitizer. Hand washing with soap is preferred, but in a pinch, hand sanitizer works well, too. Also, FYI, Ms. Klimkosky learned a valuable lesson too and now makes sure she cleans her cell phone.)
Here are some tips:
-wash your hands often, especially after being in public places, accidental sneezes or coughs into your hands, blowing your nose, using the bathroom, or handling animals
-wet your hands with water, then use soap
-get in between your fingers, up your wrists, tops, bottoms, and don't forget under your nails
-wash for 20-30 seconds, the time it takes to say your ABCs or sing Happy Birthday twice.
-rinse with water
-drying with a paper towel or air dryer is best, wet hands can attract more germs
-clean your cell phone and other electronic devices; be careful not to get them too wet
-wash your hands often, especially after being in public places, accidental sneezes or coughs into your hands, blowing your nose, using the bathroom, or handling animals
-wet your hands with water, then use soap
-get in between your fingers, up your wrists, tops, bottoms, and don't forget under your nails
-wash for 20-30 seconds, the time it takes to say your ABCs or sing Happy Birthday twice.
-rinse with water
-drying with a paper towel or air dryer is best, wet hands can attract more germs
-clean your cell phone and other electronic devices; be careful not to get them too wet
Shelly the Diamondback Terrapin
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Thanks to Ms. Picariello's mom, we have the opportunity to study a diamondback terrapin at TCS. The turtle first came to TCS back in early October in the first grade classroom. Ms. Picariello has had at least one of these interesting creatures in her classroom for the past three years. Her class named this year's turtle Shelly. While Ms. P. is on maternity leave, Shelly is living in the science room with Ms. Klimkosky. It's been so great to have Shelly in our science classroom as we learn about the characteristics of animals and living things in all of the science classes.
We will not know the sex of Shelly until its shell is 4-5 inches across. Right now, it's a little over an inch in diameter. Shelly's clutch of eggs began to hatch in late September on Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. Members of Wellfleet Audubon's staff who monitor diamondback terrapin populations gathered the eggs in this clutch and hatched them back at Audubon. This was because of the late date. Diamondback terrapins hibernate during the winter and "wintering over" at Audubon or in classrooms was a smart choice for this particular clutch. Shelly will be released back into the upper grasslands of the Audubon marsh in June with the first grade class.
The diamondback terrapin is "threatened" in Massachusetts, especially on Cape Cod. They are the only species of turtle in North America that makes its home exclusively in brackish water, where salt water from the ocean mixes with fresh water. If you'd like to learn more about this fascinating and beautiful species, click here https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay/about/our-conservation-work/diamondback-terrapins.
We will not know the sex of Shelly until its shell is 4-5 inches across. Right now, it's a little over an inch in diameter. Shelly's clutch of eggs began to hatch in late September on Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. Members of Wellfleet Audubon's staff who monitor diamondback terrapin populations gathered the eggs in this clutch and hatched them back at Audubon. This was because of the late date. Diamondback terrapins hibernate during the winter and "wintering over" at Audubon or in classrooms was a smart choice for this particular clutch. Shelly will be released back into the upper grasslands of the Audubon marsh in June with the first grade class.
The diamondback terrapin is "threatened" in Massachusetts, especially on Cape Cod. They are the only species of turtle in North America that makes its home exclusively in brackish water, where salt water from the ocean mixes with fresh water. If you'd like to learn more about this fascinating and beautiful species, click here https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay/about/our-conservation-work/diamondback-terrapins.
Halloween Science 2019!
Halloween Science has become a spooky tradition at the end of the hall. Students in grades K-6 rotated through a variety of stations that challenged them to think like scientists. They measured, observed, calculated, compared, sorted, matched, weighed, sketched, moved, and engineered their way through Halloween-themed activities. Data was recorded in individual packets. We had a great time! Click through the slideshow and take a look!
Following the MOSAiC Expedition
5th Graders are following the MOSAiC Expedition--a year long, international scientific expedition aboard the Polarstern. Scientists are studying the effects of a changing climate on the Arctic--the sea ice, ocean, animals, climate, weather, and humans. Each Monday, we will check in with the Polarstern during MOSAiC Mondays. Students use data provided by scientist to track the drift of the ship as well as changes in temperature, daylight, and the area of the sea ice.
You can follow along as well.
-MOSAiC Expedition website
-Learn about the expedition in this video news article or by viewing this expedition trailer.
November 18: Link to partner activity
You can follow along as well.
-MOSAiC Expedition website
-Learn about the expedition in this video news article or by viewing this expedition trailer.
November 18: Link to partner activity
Exploring the Landforms of Truro
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Part of the 2nd grade Earth Science curriculum includes studying and mapping landforms in an area and how blowing wind and flowing water can shape Earth's landforms. We are so lucky to have many different landforms right here in Truro that can be seen from the Bearberry Hill trail on North Pamet Road. Back in the classroom, we will make a model of Ballston Beach to show how water shaped the land and then think about solutions designed to slow or prevent or slow the ocean from changing the land.
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From June 2019:
Mystery Science: How Is Chocolate Made?
Mystery Science: How Is Chocolate Made?
At the end of last school year, TCS First Graders made a Mystery Science Mini-Lesson based on the online science curriculum "Mystery Science". Check out their video!
