First Trimester in the Books! Looking Ahead....

First Trimester in the lab was an exciting one! Students in grades kindergarten through four explored topics related to Earth Science and studied elephants as a keystone species. In addition, children had opportunities to join the Crusie ‘Cast weather club and Crusie Cares gardening club. For information on joining these clubs, please see the tabs on the right side of this blog.

Projects for the Science Fair have been rolling in!  It has been amazing to see the pride our youngest Crusies have taken in their work! From one kindergartener's model of a nest inspired by Ms. G-H's interactive bulletin board to another's model of a maglev train, to a first grade student's model of her lost tooth, these projects are age appropriate and inspired by each of the scientist's interests! For more information on submitting a Science Fair Project, please visit the following pages which can be found by clicking on the links on the right side of this page: Science Fair, Cranium Club and Art of the Brick. The final date for submitting a project is March 3rd! However, please do not wait until the last minute. Begin thinking of a topic to explore now and map out a plan that is conducive to your family's schedule.

Looking forward to topics related to Physical Science we will enjoy in the second trimester....

Kindergarten and Pre-First will explore Pushes and Pulls, Speed and Direction as well as Energy from the Sun.

First Grade will explore Sound, Behavior of Light, and Communication.

Second Grade will explore Properties and States of Matter, Purposes of Properties, Building Blocks of Matter and Changes from Heat.

Third Grade will explore Objects and Motion and Electric and Magnetic Forces.

Fourth Grade will explore Energy, Chemical Processes, Waves, Light Reflection and Information Technologies.

Stay Sensational!
Mrs. Dimitriades

Welcome to the Science Lab!

Summer in the Science Lab was very productive!  Experimenting with all of the resources and setting up the space was a very fun process.With the assistance of the School's administration and the maintenance crew, we now have:

A greenhouse for planting:

A sensory wall equipped with a Lego board, magnetic wall, and light table for exploring:

A greenscreen for weather forecasting:

A center for measuring:

A crate for a visiting pig:

And a garden for exploring:

A collection corner for observing along with a  photo to honor Jay Peeples, for whom the fourth grade Science Award is named.  Jay loved all creatures great and small.

All of these spaces are wonderful, but the lab was missing some finishing touches and they finally arrived last week!

Thank goodness the children are back.  They kicked off their year in the Science lab, checking out the new space, asking questions and being introduced to our social media accounts.  Then each grade experienced some cool science projects.

Kindergarten enjoyed some bubble science.

Pre-First began a study of dinosaurs. 

First grade conducted experiments on soap.

Second through fourth grades were introduced to Science Notebooking:

This week will be a busy one! In addition to our regular schedule, fourth grade will be taking a field trip with the Living Classrooms Foundation to learn more about our Chesapeake Bay. Fourth grade parents, please return your child's permission slip if you haven't done so already. In addition, Parents' Nights are scheduled for this week.  I'll be at Parents' Night Wednesday evening to share information about this year's Science Fair-it will be different this year and all students grades k-4 are invited to participate. Please click on the Science Fair and Cranium Club tabs on the right side of this blog post to learn more and be sure to contact me with any questions. Finally, this Friday the Crusie Care club will meet for the second time.  Last week, one of our third grade members suggested growing vegetables for the School's "Lunches for the Hungry" program.  I can't think of a better reason to make use of our garden and greenhouse.  This Friday, members of the Crusie Care club will be planting fresh vegetables in the garden and seeds in the greenhouse.  There is still time to join the club.  Please sign up through ESP.

A big thank you to all of the students who have expressed interest in joining the Crusie 'Cast weather club!  The club will begin in October, after I set up a schedule based on completed student sign-up sheets.  If you would like to join the club, please stop by the lab for a sign up sheet.

Moving forward, we will begin units of study related to Earth and Space.  Be sure to check out this week's E-Bulletin to take part in a Science challenge to acquire soil and/or sand from each of the fifty states and beyond!

Stay Sensational!
Mrs. Dimitriades

Treasures

It's been fun exploring in the Science garden this summer! We've spotted an Eastern Box turtle and a bird nest. 

We saw a little frog too, but he hopped away too quickly to get a photo. I wonder what other treasures await us in the garden....

Mid-Summer Fun!

Lots of fun learning opportunities are available this weekend! Check out bubble fun at the Maryland Science Center. If you have a little more time to travel, consider heading down to the Kid Museum at the Davis Library in Montgomery County for some tinkering opportunities!

Science Lab Plans

Curious Crusies might notice a few changes to the Science Lab this fall.  Please check back periodically for updates. In the meantime, here are some photos to inspire your imagination and help develop your predictions...