Science+Family+Fun+Night+May+19,+2011

media type="custom" key="9600808"On Thursday, May 19th, PS 18Q held its annual Science Family Fun Night. An educational, enriching, and fun experience was had by all who attended. Each grade was represented with an activity that was conducted during the school year. Numerous science grants were also represented at the event.

The Kindergarten activity investigated the Properties of Paper - Paper Folding (Origami).

The First Grade activity explored the Properties of Matter - Sink and Float as clay balls were formed into boats to carry "passengers" (gram pieces).

The Second Grade activity experimented with Forces and Motion. Participants created "Zoomers" that require a build up of potential energy to create kinetic energy.

The Third Grade activity focused on the Energy unit. Participants made Pinwheels to model the change of wind energy to kinetic energy (windmills).

The Fourth Grade activity looked at the wonders of electricty and magnetism and how they are connected. Volunteers taught participants how to make an electromagnet from a battery, wire, and a nail.

The Fifth Grade activity highlighted the brochures created by the fifth graders about health and nutrition. There were also an investigation with homemade litmus paper (white cards soaked in red cabbage juice) to indicate an acid (turns the paper red) or a base (turns the paper blue). This activity showed how food is made up of chemicals.

In addition to these stations, the Team Energy (science enrichment) explored wind and solar energies with materials received from a NYSERDA grant. These materials include a mini wind farm, solar panels, and a water pump.

Also on display, were photos from the American Museum of Natural History Movable Museum - Structures and Cultures bus that visited our school in April. This is a wonderful program where the museum on wheels and museum educators drive to our school. All fourth grade students took a "field trip" onto the bus to learn more about the nomadic peoples of Kenya (Gabra), Mongolia (Mongolians), and North America (Blackfeet).

Photos from the third grade trip to the New York Hall of Science were also on display. Third graders partipated in a grant from Target and MetLife and visited the New York Hall of Science. All third grade students received a backpack with science tools: LED light, stopwatch, tape measure, colored filters, and diffraction grating. Students and parents who visited the this table made their own diffraction grating to take home and explore the different colors that "fingerprint"different types of light (fluorescent, neon, argon, etc.).

It was a great night!