Science

Rockland Elementary School Students Participate in Immersive New Science Program

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 11, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Elementary School Students Participate in Immersive New Science Program

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron is pleased to announce that students at Rockland elementary schools are learning about science using a newly acquired program called the Full Option Science System (FOSS), which allows students to engage in immersive and hands-on activities.

As part of the new program, third and fourth grade students are learning about magnetism, motion, matter, energy and engineering design during STEAM weeks. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

The FOSS kits were funded through a $40,000 grant from the Rockland Education Foundation. Kits include student and teacher resources and materials for experiments.

“Research shows that in order to create the next generation of scientists and engineers, you need to create high-quality opportunities for students to engage in rigorous, hands-on learning in elementary school,” Superintendent Cron said.

The FOSS kits follow a research-based science curriculum developed at the University of California, Berkeley.

One activity the students engaged in recently had them using batteries and wires to create an electromagnet used to pick up metal washers. Another activity used a scale for students to determine the mass of vinegar and baking soda, respectively, and then the combined mass after mixing the two.

“We as a foundation feel that the funds we have raised over the past two years are going toward initiatives that will impact the entire district,” said President of Rockland Education Foundation Regina Quirk. “We are thrilled it is being offered in the third and fourth grades to get students engaged at a younger age especially in the area of engineering.” 

 

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Avon Middle School Students Take Part in First Annual Science Fair

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Avon Middle School Students Take Part in First Annual Science Fair

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the Avon Middle-High School’s first annual science fair earlier this month was a success.

On Thursday, April 12, over 60 seventh grade students took part in the science fair.

The fair winners and the titles of their projects were:

  • First Place – Lydia Meressi – Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
  • Second Place – TJ Weatherby – Mass and Speed of Toys and Cars
  • Third Place – Chloe Snow – Can Cats Learn Dog Tricks?
  • Honorable Mention – Skye Nieves – The Effects of Temperature on Batteries
  • Honorable Mention – Cole Sweet – Free Throw Shots: Underhand or Overhand?

Students began their projects in January by selecting topics that interested them. In addition to utilizing scientific and engineering processes, the students also gained skills in project planning, project management, research, record keeping and communication.

During the fair, their projects were on full display inside two classrooms, where friends, parents and the school community could see their work. Students set up tri-fold poster boards explaining their projects and brought supplemental materials for the judges to see.

The projects covered a wide range of topics, including the effect of color on memory, the drag produced on remote control cars on different surfaces and engineering a working solar powered phone charger.

Local scientists and engineers volunteered their time to judge the event. Judges included representatives from Underwriters Laboratory, Brown University, the Avon Public Library and AccuRounds — an Avon-based machine manufacturing company.

“As a department, we are always trying to foster a sense of how important science is to the kids,” said Avon middle school science teacher Patricia McGaffigan.  “Being lucky enough to have our students connect with scientists and engineers to discuss their own work was an incredible learning experience. Every adult that interacted with the students was so encouraging and interested. It was a real confidence builder for many students. I hope they retain that confidence as they think about what their futures hold.”

Each winner was presented with a certificate and a medal while the first-place winner also received a trophy.

 

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Jefferson Elementary School Holds Inaugural Family Science Night

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Jefferson Elementary School Holds Inaugural Family Science Night

ROCKLAND — Principal Michelle Scheufele is pleased to announce that students, parents and guardians participated in Jefferson Elementary School’s first Family Science Night last week.

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6-7 p.m., more than 100 families gathered at Jefferson Elementary School to partake in a wide range of science and engineering activities designed to foster students’ imagination and expand on lessons learned in the classroom.

“This was an incredible night filled with hands-on learning for every student and their families,” Principal Scheufele said. “Parents and guardians really enjoyed being a part of their child’s educational experience, and we look forward to replicating this event next year.”

As part of the event, teachers in each grade prepared a corresponding activity that students could delve into with their family members. Additionally, throughout the event, STEM teacher Rachel Mack challenged students with a variety of building exercises using toothpicks, marshmallows and candy hearts.

In kindergarten, 5-year-old students dissected owl pellets and taught their families how to analyze and classify the variety of bones the bird did not fully digest.

First grade students kept their activities magical, leading parents/guardians through fairy tale themed STEM challenges. Exercises included building a model home that could withstand students’ attempts to blow it down (like the Big Bad Wolf), creating the longest replica of Rapunzel’s hair using one sheet of paper and constructing a marble maze from recyclable paper items to mirror the one in Hansel and Gretel.

At the second grade station, students used their knowledge of levers, pulleys and wedges to build a simple machine that could perform a task.

To illustrate the importance of revising and testing a hypothesis, third grade teachers presented the dough challenge. Participants used a set of ingredients, measuring tools and directions to first make a ball of dough. Then, using an additional set of instructions, each group was able to improve its consistency and texture. 

Fourth grade students built structures using pipe cleaners and designed boats using aluminum foil – competing to see who could design the boat that would hold the most pennies.

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GLTS Teacher Receives Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers Award

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Greater Lawrence Technical School
Superintendent John Lavoie
57 River Rd, Andover,
MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 13, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

GLTS Teacher Receives Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers Award

ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie is pleased to announce that Greater Lawrence Technical School teacher Rebecca Pierce received a Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers award earlier this month.

Science teacher Rebecca Pierce received the MAST County Educator of the Year Award. Left to right: Superintendent John Lavoie, GLTS science teacher Jen Dube, science teacher Rebecca Pierce, Andover School Committee member Marilyn fiztgerald and guidance counselor Timothy Cusack. (Courtesy Photo GLTS)
Science teacher Rebecca Pierce received the MAST County Educator of the Year Award. Left to right: Superintendent John Lavoie, GLTS science teacher Jen Dube, science teacher Rebecca Pierce, Andover School Committee member Marilyn fiztgerald and guidance counselor Timothy Cusack. (Courtesy Photo GLTS)

Pierce received the MAST County Educator of the Year award for her outstanding contributions to science education. MAST honored her during a ceremony in Boxborough on Nov. 2

The award recognizes an instructor who provides a leadership role in promoting and advancing the cause of quality science education among his/her peers, and who has been active in promoting and advancing the cause of quality science education among students in the schools.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized,” Pierce said. “I have a lot of passion for Greater Lawrence Tech and I love being part of this community and working with students who also have an interest in science.”

Since starting at GLTS in 1997, Pierce, who currently teaches ninth and 12th grades and heads the science department, has spent the last 20 years working to excite students about science.

A few years ago she developed a course for seniors, the modern application of science, and has since spent summers attending industry conferences to expand the curriculum and provide students with the most up-to-date information. Pierce is also a leader in science curriculum professional development sessions for her peers, and in her spare time coaches swimming for Andover students and tennis at GLTS in the spring.

“On behalf of the entire GLTS community, we congratulate Rebecca on this recognition,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “She is a true leader at this school and continuously goes above and beyond what is required of her to bring 21st century education to our students. She is extremely deserving of this award.”

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