In Science Class . . . Week of 10/31

Happy Halloween! Here's what we've been up to in class:

4th Grade: The students this week continued their exploration of magnetism and electricity using some mini-investigations. Stations included

• Hand crank generator that produced power for light bulbs (one energy efficient and one regular)
• A energy ball (called a UFO ball) that lights up and makes noise when you make a complete circuit with your body and it's metal pieces
• A basic electromagnet that can pick up small washers
• A magnetic generator that produces electricity by sliding a magnet through a tube wrapped with wire
• Review of poles using doughnut magnets
• A basic circuit with d-cell and light bulb
  

It's been really fun! Ms. Sinai's class also investigated conductors and insulators by putting objects into a circuit hooked to a motor. If the object could carry the electricity, then the motor ran. If not, the object was an insulator and the motor would not go on. Conductors included all metal objects - nails, paper clips, chair leg, washers, etc. The rest of the 4th grades will do this next week!

5th Grade: Students this week completed their presentations on a group of the periodic table. Next week, we'll look closely at the properties of metals and do some other fun chemical reactions!