Tuesday was our first meeting with the middle school girls who will be partipating in our afterschool program, Science Stars. Our group will study energy within the realm of physics. Thankfully, I’m working with two physicists, Mike and Dylan, who majored in physics AND graduated recently, who will be able to help me dust off and get that part of my brain functioning again. When we did introductions, two of the girls mentioned that they liked pouring chemicals together so maybe, just maybe, I’ll find a way to work some chemistry in – batteries? explosions? (see what Anne & Kristin did here, for more on explosive teaching).
We did hands-on APK work with the kids using “Newton’s Cradle”, pictured above [Thanks Orlando!]; hot wheels cars on a track, powered by rubber bands, crashing into blocks; and electrical circuits including light bulbs. The students even mustered up some enthusiasm for a picture about energy sources which we used as a discussion starter. They were great at making connections, without necessarily using the terminology, about stored energy, inertia, and simple circuits. We were able to see how they did with group work and experimenting to put the car and the block in the target zone after the crash. The global connections about energy sources and they use was a bit of a weakness, e.g. no indication that they understood where the electricity in the outlets came from although we had talked about wind, solar, etc. but we may not focus on that anyway.
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around inquiry in Physics as it pertains to electricity or other forms of energy. We’ll have to come up with a good plan for next week to help them understand their knowledge, extend it, and then figure out what they want to do for an investigation/project.
I loved meeting and spending time with the kids today. One of the highlights was getting a hug from one of the kids from summer camp in the hallway on the way to Science Stars. I had some clashes with this student during summer camp so I was pleased that her reaction to me was so enthusiastic. After spending a solid week with the kids at camp, I got quite attached and frequently wonder how they are doing. Did the camp make a difference in how they are approaching their science classes this year?
Congrats on STARS you guys did great and your group seemed like they enjoyed it too!!!
Hi Kathyrn – congratulations! Sounds like the first Science Stars session was a big success. I liked the picture of Newton’s cradle & the other toys that you, Dylan & Mike incorporated were a cool way to get the students thinking about energy.
I’m sure that week of camp made a difference in every Freedom School scholar’s life. Sounds like your hug was a sign of a BIG difference for that student. TTFN.