Science Week is all about stitching together individual science theories learned in class in ways that make learning hands-on and fun.
Every student in grades 5 to 8 had the opportunity to participate in the Middle School Science Week, run annually by Jamie Inglis, Head of Science. “All of the activities are designed to use science to come to a goal,” explained Mr. Inglis during Tuesday morning’s kick-off in Ketchum Auditorium. He reminded the students that the most important thing about science is to ask questions.
To cheers of excitement, Trevor Biasi, Assistant Director of Middle School, was Tuesday’s sacrificial guinea pig, setting off two explosions to start the science bonanza.
As part of their design thinking and STEM units, grade 5 students were challenged to design and test a prototype windmill from cardboard, string, glue, popsicle sticks, and Lego. Their goal was to solve all of SAC’s future energy concerns. A pretty tall order!
A visit to the Science Centre inspired the grade 6 Mars Landing and Space Science challenges. Students had to design, build, and launch a hydrazine/gas powered rover. They were given cardboard, tape, plastic wheels, various sizes of tubes, and balloons to build their rovers and make them move across the classroom terrain. The biggest challenges were controlling speeds to make it from the starting point to the final destination. During testing students either overshot or undershot the landing, so back to the drawing board they went.
Grade 7 students expanded their knowledge on environmental stewardship and biology when current parent and eye surgeon Dr. Khan walked them through the dissection of a cow’s eye. The boys were intent and at times a little grossed out. Once they finished learning about how a cow eye is similar to a human eye, Dr. Khan allowed them to observe the dissection of a human eye.
The grade 8 students used their knowledge of engineering to build a prototype of a drawbridge with wood using hammers, nails, and various tools. This workshop was led by U-Can-Do-It, an organization that offers in-class and after-school carpentry classes.
Lastly, after shooting-off an air cannon rocket, students clamoured for a spot to participate in building their own rocket to launch across Yuill Field for clan points. Congratulations to Douglas Clan on earning top prize.
Story by Nicolette Fleming
