A Progressive Odyessy
Dear Families,
What a week! Tuesday began with wonderful Sixth Grade Poetry Potluck where those present were treated to an incredible selection of poetic delights all expertly read by their authors. Tuesday evening saw the auditorium transformed into our Science Exploratorium. Students presented the results of their individual science research projects that addressed an impressive range of questions that appear below for your consideration:
- How do different materials react to different liquids with a range of pH values?
- How does axle size effect the movement of a vehicle powered by a mousetrap?
- How can the speed of a mousetrap vehicle be increased by the use of gears?
- What role does shape play in designing an effective wind turbine?
- What effect does the size of wind turbine fins have on the speed of a turbine?
- What conditions or factors determine why organisms may have similar or different responses to the same stimuli?
- What effect does changing the amount of wire in a coil have on the speed of a motor?
- How does the shape or size of a coil or its distance from a fixed magnet effect the motor’s speed?
- What effect does changing the number of fins on a waterwheel have on its speed?
- How does changing the shape of a wing effect it’s ability to produce a lift force?
- What effect does the shape of a vehicle’s body have on the maximum speed at which it can travel?
Wednesday saw the fifth grade regale students and families with their rousing musical adaptation of The Adventures of Ulysses. Prior to the performance, families had a chance to view students’ technology animation projects, science robotics projects, core memoirs and essays and to play a variety of math games.
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On Friday, the seventh grade will present its Constitution Works First Amendment role play at the courthouse in Brooklyn and, on Friday night, the eighth grade will celebrate their upcoming Moving Upon, which will take place on Tuesday.
No question that this has been an amazing week that is capping off a truly wonderful year in the middle school and at LREI. In addition to the potlucks at which teachers are formally thanked, I hope that you will each find a moment over the next few days to thank the members of the middle school faculty for their inspired teaching and unwavering care of your children.
I also hope that the summer provides you with ample opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends and to think about trying something new together as a family. To get you thinking, take a look at the following list of items that high school students will be tackling over the summer. If you come up with your own ideas, let me know.
Enjoy!
Mark