The seventh graders have been pondering the question: How Can I Make New Stuff From Old Stuff?  They began their study of chemistry by looking at the properties that make matter unique-solubility, melting point, density, color, and hardness.  They tested these properties in fat and soap.  This led students to wonder what happens when we mix different substances together.  Students noticed that sometimes these substances seem to simply “mix” and at other times something more dramatic happens–a color change, fizzing, foaming, and bubbling, a solid is formed, heat is created, and/or a gas is produced.  Students learned that when certain substances are mixed a chemical reaction can occur to make new substances.  They examined closely how these changes take place at the molecular level and learned that atoms break apart and rearrange to form new substances.   The unit ended with students asking the question:  Can I make soap from fat?  And, that is exactly what they did this week.  Students will be writing a final blog post today to reflect on all they have learned.  Check it out and feel free to comment!

Last week the 8th graders were challenged to create a model that showed the movement of the Earth at the plate boundaries.  Students learned that three types of plate movements exist–convergent, divergent, and transform.  At each of the different types of boundaries trenches, ridges, mountains, rifts, and volcanoes can be formed. Each student designed a model that illustrated one type of movement and the geological features created as a result of that movement.  The class discussed the value of using models to explain phenomena that we can’t always see and tried to create models that were detailed, three-dimensional, and showed movement.  Great work everyone!

Reminder:  All Upper School (5th-8th) students need to bring a bag lunch tomorrow for the field trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum.  The lunch must follow the regular MJDS guidelines.

This week I heard lots of “ooohs!” and “aaahs!” and “what’s happening?!” in the 7th grade class.  This excitement is exactly why I love teaching science!  The 7th graders were trying to make sense of chemical reactions by mixing rock salt, baking soda, and water.  When the three substances were placed in a tightly closed plastic bag students noticed that the bag got hot, bubbles and fizzing were produced, the bag inflated and a creamy paste-like substance formed.  What’s happening here?  Some students think that the substance created a mixture.  Others think new substances were formed.  And, still others think that this has something to do with a chemical reaction.  Which is it?  We’ll find out more next week!

The scientific phenomena of the Earth is fascinating!  For the past several weeks, the 8th graders have been learning about the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates and how these plates create the amazing continental and oceanic geographical formations on the surface of the Earth.  Students are exploring the evidence that change in the Earth’s surface has occurred in the past and continues today.  With a deeper understanding of what has happened in the past, students will be constructing models of plate movement mechanisms and the phenomena that result from this movement.  Stay tuned as we get closer to the Earthquake Project.

I am so happy to be back at MJDS!  To everyone, thank you for the outpouring of love and support while I was out.  I was absolutely overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity.  I am truly blessed to be a part of the MJDS family.