Student Scientists in Action 2018-2019!

Mystery Science: How Is Chocolate Made?
TCS First Graders made a Mystery Science Mini-Lesson based on the online science curriculum "Mystery Science".
The Laysan Albatross
As a part of Zero Waste Week at TCS, students studied the Laysan Albatross. We learned not only where they live and reproduce, but also about the negative impact human decisions have on this species of sea bird.

Marine debris is a big problem on Midway Atoll and surrounding Pacific islands where these birds breed and grow before fledging. Their natural behaviors are being impacted by plastics and other trash. The adults are surface feeders of mainly squid and fish eggs. Often, as they scoop up prey, they ingest marine debris as well. They naturally regurgitate hunted prey into their chick's mouths and along with it, comes the debris. 

Before they fledge, the chicks cough up a bolus--a mass of the undigested contents of their stomach. This should only include natural items like squid beaks, the lenses from fish eyes, at the occasional rock, feather, or stick. Almost always these days, their bolus includes plastics and other marine debris.

Since actual boluses are difficult to obtain, Ms. Klimkosky made some for students to try. These "fauxbatross boluses" were made from newspaper and stuffed with marine debris she cleaned up from our local beaches. 
What are some landmarks in Truro?
Second graders learn about landmarks as a part of thinking about the Big Question "What is Earth Made Of"?

We took a field trip into the nearby Provincelands to pick cranberries in a BOG in the DUNES.

The next week, we hiked Bearberry Hill in Truro and saw that our very own town has HILLS, a RIVER, PONDS, BOGS, DUNES, a BEACH, a OCEAN, a MARSH, CLIFF and VALLEYS all in one place! When we got back to school, we created models of these landforms by drawing maps to show visitors to Truro how to get to Bearberry Hill. Have you hiked there? 
Halloween Science! 
There was some spooky science happening at Halloween this year. Students measured, weighed, compared, and observed pumpkins, gourds, and apples.

The "Decomposition Station" gave students the opportunity to predict what rotting gourds will look like in one month and at the end of the school year. They are perched in one of the raised beds outside of the science room. 

The "Apple Tasting" station resulted in a data graph of favorite apples (Golden Delicious, Cortland and Granny Smith) that all classrooms can use in math class.
What is the difference between living and non-living?
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Kindergarten students have been thinking about the characteristics of living and non-living things. As a way to apply their knowledge, we created Pet Rocks. They make ideal pets, because they are non-living. You don’t have to feed them or give them water. They don’t grow or breathe air. They certainly do not move and they do not have more like themselves (reproduce). Pet Rocks are AWESOME!