August 20, 2010—A dozen inquisitive fourth- and fifth-graders, three student volunteers and a teacher came together this summer for an entire week devoted to math experiments and scientific discovery. 

Students conducted a series of hands-on experiments during the district's Math and Science Academy at Jefferson Elementary School, August 2-6.

Each day, students took on a new role—serving as structural engineers building their own skyscrapers one day to paleontologists creating fossils the next.

"All of the students were really engrossed in the learning process," said academy instructor Tiffany Wood. "You couldn't miss the excitement and interest on their faces."

Many of the students cited construction of a water filter as their favorite activity. This required students to work collaboratively using common household goods to design a filter that would clean coffee grounds and food coloring from water.

"It was really cool—cleaning the water and using a lot of everyday materials," said Jordan, a fourth-grader. 

"My favorite part was learning new stuff about math and science, like that you can make a filter out of things you already have at home," said fifth-grader Nicole.  

The academy also brought a group of civic-minded middle and high school students out early in the morning during their summer break. Tenth-graders Alexandra Cardinal and Elizabeth Glick and eighth-grader William Schmidt expressed their satisfaction working with younger students and being a part of their learning experience. Throughout the week, they helped students conduct experiments and complete assignments.

Photo Gallery
In the activity, pictured below, students chewed different varieties of bubble gum to determine if one kind of gum blows larger bubbles than another.

[News Archives]