Science: Ms. Klimkosky
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Science Fun at Home
Week of March 30-April 3, 2020
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Hello TCS Scientists!
I hope that you were able to get outside last week. For this week's Science at Home, I've posted the links to 3 NEW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) webinars. I also updated this page and the recorded versions of last week's webinars are now on YouTube. You can view these any time. I will post new activities on your Science Google Classroom for the week on the first day that your class usually has Science. Here's the schedule: Monday: Grade1, Grade 5, Grade 6 Tuesday: Grade 2 Wednesday: Kindergarten, Grade 3, Grade 4 Miss you all! Stay happy, healthy, and curious, Ms. K. |
Hello! How are you?A message from Ms. K. and her trusty assistant, Sam the Dog
Click on Science Read-Aloud to hear me reading to you.
Click on Science in Ms. K.'s Kitchen to see her show you an activity from her kitchen.
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Feel free to pick and choose the enrichment activities that work for you.
Grownups, please sign your students up and/or help them sign in and access the programs.
Grownups, please sign your students up and/or help them sign in and access the programs.
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NOAA WEBINARS FOR KIDS
A Note to GROWNUPS:
Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offered 3 wonderful webinars just for students. Information is below. Grownups should do the signing up. You will get a confirmation email from NOAA along with login info. If you do not see it within a couple of hours after you register, check your spam folder. I've been watching each one and learning a lot myself. They are really fantastic! If you're able, join your students when they watch. This week's topics all at 11am are:
Registration for all 3 of this week's webinars as well as additional activities for past webinars can be found here: https://seagrant.whoi.edu/suggested-educational-resources-for-use-during-school-closures/webinars-noaa-live/ For the week's webinars, I've included a GET READY, DO, and DONE prompt below. The Get Ready and Done are extensions for the webinar if you'd like them. The best thing you can do is watch the webinar together and talk about it. Use the questions I've given as prompts or make up some of your own. Encourage your students to ask YOU questions about what you learned as well. During the webinars, there is a QUESTION button where you can submit questions to the scientist. They try to answer as many as they can, but encourage viewers to try to find out answers too, as there are literally hundreds of questions asked. Quick view catalog of previously recorded NOAA LIVE! for Kids Webinars: |
THIS WEEK'S WEBINARS
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Onward and Downward! Exploring the Deep Ocean
with Catalina Martinez NOAA's Office of Exploration and Research (OER) in Narragansett, RI This webinar has ended, but you can watch the recorded version >> HERE The world ocean is essential to all life on earth, covers more than 70 percent of the planet's surface, drives global weather patterns, regulates temperature, and is a bridge that connects all continents. Throughout history, the ocean has been a vital source of sustenance, transport, commerce, joy, fear, mystery and inspiration. Yet for all of our reliance on the ocean, more than 90 percent of this vast realm remains unexplored. Join us to learn how and why NOAA explores the deep ocean! (Grades 5-8) |
Get Ready....
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of something you would like to see if you explored the deep ocean. Ask a grownup for help.
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of something you would like to see if you explored the deep ocean. Ask a grownup for help.
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Wednesday, April 1, 11 am
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors with Glenn Field, NOAA's National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, MA Glenn, warning coordination meteorologist, will discuss and share examples of different weather phenomena, including tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms flash floods, and especially lightning. Did you know that a lightning bolt is 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun? Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year and is the #2 weather-related killer nationwide. Glenn will show you how important it is to listen for thunder -- because when thunder roars, you should go indoors! (Grades 3-6 but Grades 7-8 will like the topic too) » Register Here |
Get Ready....
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of your favorite type of weather. Ask a grownup for help.
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of your favorite type of weather. Ask a grownup for help.
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Friday, April 3, 11 am
Can You Hear Me Now? Marine Mammals and Sound with Genevieve Davis, NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA Have you ever wondered what a humpback whale sounds like? How dolphins communicate? Learn from a member of our bioacoustics team about how sound travels through the ocean, what makes underwater sounds and how we listen in. Discover why marine mammals make sound and how we use their sounds in marine mammal conservation (and hear some pretty cool sounds). (Grades 2-6 but all ages will enjoy) » Register Here Visit the NFSC sounds page to listen to marine mammals and learn more about them. |
Get Ready....
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of marine mammals using sound to communicate. Ask a grownup for help.
What are some questions you hope to have answered during this webinar?
Do...
Tune in to the Webinar.
Done...
If you'd like, post some discoveries you made on your grade's SCIENCE GOOGLE CLASSROOM Stream. Or, you can send a photo of a drawing of marine mammals using sound to communicate. Ask a grownup for help.
Regular Science Web Page Content
The content below is from my TCS Science webpage. Feel free to browse around!
Student Scientists in Action!
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.)
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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 |
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!