The eighth graders started a new unit this week with the driving question-How is the Earth changing?  They began their thinking by asking questions based upon three phenomena–images of Earth’s surface and damage from earthquakes, a video of earthquakes and analysis of volcano and earthquake locations on Earth.  Yesterday, they began categorizing these questions in order to develop some big, overarching questions to help guide their learning.   There was lots of excited chatter as students shared ideas and background knowledge, analyzed maps and developed a focus for this unit.  Ask them about the questions they have!

As part of their study of energy transformation, the seventh graders were challenged, this week, to design a spool racer that would travel the farthest and the fastest.  They will have the opportunity to develop multiple iterations of their racer design.  Today, they conducted their first race.   Find out how it went!