Fun in Lab
Physics students have used their lab time to understand their physical world. They used a marble launcher and a few calculations to predict where a target should be placed. They tried to mix up their directions in the vector lab to stump the other groups – they did not succeed. All teams were able to reach the finish. They have explored the need for seat belts as well as why air bags are needed to prevent injury.
Mrs. Wong
Tasty Labs
Chemistry students have been busy exploring concepts in lab. They have enjoyed eating the results of their candium lab when they found the weighted average of their samples. They used the results of their flame test lab to predict the composition of colorful birthday candles. They used accurate measurements to determine the best paper towel in their consumer lab.
Mrs. Wong
Algebra 2
Seniors have been reviewing for their algebra 2 regents. They have realized the benefit of advanced math classes as they reviewed for college exams and planned for college financing.
Mrs. Wong
Quadratic Equations
Juniors have been using math to solve problems. They found the best ticket price to maximize profits. They have used formulas to model data. They have learned to work with complex numbers and to solve quadratic equations.
Mrs. Wong
Algebra
The tenth grade algebra students explored using graphs to make predictions by building race tracks. Some were very simple and some were elaborate constructions using any and all material available to them. They raced marbles down the track and changed the starting height for each trial and measured how far the marbles rolled. They graphed their results and used that information to predict the results for other heights.
Mrs. Wong
Disaster Mitigation
As we are learning about Earthquakes right now, we are learning that disaster mitigation is an important part of dealing with natural disasters, such as earthquakes. The students are writing a Disaster Mitigation Essay, which once completed, they will carry with them to class every day. Should a disaster ever occur during class –a disaster occurs when a random set of numbers (www.random.org) appears on the screen as 00. Then they have to turn to the essay that they’ve been carrying to mitigate the disaster and in the process earn extra credit points. If they aren’t prepared for the disaster, i.e. they don’t have their essay on them when the disaster occurs, then they die (they don’t get the extra credit points).
Mr. Loewenthal
Earth’s Interior
In the Earth Science class we have been studying the Earth’s interior, as well as the movement of the crustal plates and how they interact resulting in earthquakes and volcanoes. In one of our lab activities, we drew the earth’s interior to scale, using a scale of 1 cm equal to 700 km on a long piece of paper. At this scale our papers were about 5 feet long. I then posted these illustrations on the ceiling of the hallway, outside the fourth floor secretary office. Next time you are on the fourth floor, look up to see what the inside of the earth looks like.
Mr. Loewenthal
Watch What You Eat
With obesity on the rise within the United States, more and more people are learning to count the amount of calories that they consume. Students undertook a project where for one week they needed to count the amount of calories that they consumed. This included breakfast, lunch, dinner and any other snakes that they ate during the day. Students then compared their total daily calorie intake to that of the average. If the amount of calories fell below or above the average, students needed to examine that day and find out what events lead to this difference. This project gave students a better understanding as to what they put in their bodies and for some it showed them that they need to change their eating habits and eat healthier food.
Mr. Wong
Soccer Playoffs
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Vince Lombardi
This month in Gym we have begun our Soccer Playoffs. These games are highly intense being that rivalries have been sown from the year before. Whether students are playing goalie, defense, offense, or midfielder they are determined, focused, and resolute to win the game. Often that means jumping in the path of the ball. Even though these games are intense, students maintain a high level of sportsmanship thought the season.
Mr. Wong
Olympics
During the month of December, our 4th and 5th grade students competed in their very own Olympics. During the Olympics students had the opportunity to compete in a wide array of events ranging from the flexed arm hang to the hula-hoop and relay races. These were just some of the events that the students could participate in. Not only did the Olympics offer students a healthy way to compete, but they learned the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Mr. Wong