Science!

It's Science!

Look what we saw under our digital microscope!

Grade K

Kindergartners learned about how volcanoes erupt by mixing baking soda and vinegar into our play-dough structures!

Oh no! The kindergartners tested the shadows with their groundhog and it looks like six more weeks of winter!

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Grade 1 Butterflies

Grade 1 watched as caterpillars make chrysallis' and became beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies. We fed them sugar water and oranges. After a few days we set them free - one at a time they flew off!

This was better than a picture book! We had to be patient as we waited and watched. We had fun and learned a lot. We loved them!

See a movie of our caterpillars under the digital microscope!
See our our butterflies under the digital microscope!
Our Butterfly Photos.....

(Click on the small image below to see a larger picture)

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Grade 2

The second graders planted sunflower seeds in science class!

These are our newly planted seeds.	We are already sprouting after only one week!


The second graders did an experiment in Science using white carnations in colored water (blue and red). The white flowers turned blue and pinkish red. The students learned that water travels up the stem to the flowers.

	The Second Graders have been learning about ways to help our planet Earth.

The second graders learned about fossils, so they made their own fossils using Plaster of Paris.

The second graders examined sand and soil using hand lenses.

Grade 3

Third graders demonstrate how vibration produces sound.

Third graders make electric circuits with batteries and flashlight bulbs to produce heat and light.

Third graders explored how they can describe motion.

Third graders made models of rock layers with hidden fossil animals.

Third graders examine the parts of a flower.

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Grade 4

Fourth graders participated in the Great Lakes Education Cruise sponsored by MSU. During the two hour cruise on the Detroit River, we learned how to tie knots, read nautical maps, test water samples and dredge the river bottom for living organisms.


Fourth grade scientists had a hands-on day investigating electricity. On their own they learned how to make a light bulb light, make a motor run, and how to make a switch turn off and on.

Students brought in their rock collections from home to share with the class during our rocks and minerals unit.

Fourth graders learned about the Human Skeleton. They used different types of noodles and beans to construct their own skeleton. What a fun way to learn about the different bones!

Grade 5

Students spent time in the computer lab taking part in a virtual owl pellet dissection before the actual hands-on project. Then, each student had the opportunity to dissect their own owl pellet. Next, they reconstructed all the bones to discover what animal their owl ate for lunch! We found rats, moles, and shrews! Finally, they identified and labeled all the bones.

Students used iodine to test 13 different foods to see if they contained any carbohydrates. The food that surprised them the most was pork rinds. They contain no carbs!

Fifth graders had a wonderful day exploring at the Rouge River Water Festival 2010 at U of M Dearborn. Students had many hands-on activities and investigated pond water, reptiles, amphibians, zebra mussels and sea lamprey!

Fifth graders discovered which materials electricity can flow through. They tested plastic, aluminum foil, a penny, and index card, and a paper clip.

5th graders recycled the Sunday Newspaper to make their own paper using starch and water.

There is rock below Earth's surface that is melted or nearly melted. The 5th graders made a model of this material found in the Earth. They used a mixture of cornstarch and water to show properties of a solid and a liquid.

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Grade 6

SIXTH GRADE FIRST! Students eagerly dissected large bull frogs in their first ever experience with in-class dissections. Students already can't wait until seventh and eighth grade for fetal pigs and sharks!

Sixth grade scientists used everyday materials to purify salt water into everyday drinking water. This process is called desalination.

Grade 6 science students spent time comparing granite samples with rice-embedded handmade rocks they make in groups.

Grade 7


Seventh graders have been studying genetics. Partner pairs used red and white beans to determine how likely it would be for traits to be expressed in offspring.

Seventh graders made edible DNA in science class. Using twizzlers, marshmallows and toothpicks, students had a visual of what the twisted ladder shape of DNA looks like.


Seventh graders observed the difference between cellular respiration and photosynthesis by comparing plant sprigs in carbonated water and blue dye solutions placed both in the sunlight and in a dark closet.

Science students enjoy using SMART Board lessons to enhance textbook instruction. Here, students take interactive notes.

Seventh grade scientists spent time viewing plant and animal cells and recorded their observations.

Seventh grade scientists compared the difference between kinetic and potential energy and heat. Students noticed that as kinetic energy increased with body movement, so did heat given off by their bodies, as waste.

Seventh graders spent time making homemade ice cream. It's amazing what some ice cubes, rock salt, milk, sugar, and some free time can make inside a Ziploc bag. Homemade ice cream - even better than DQ!

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Grade 8

Eighth grade students spent time outside simulating a volcanic eruption with vinegar and baking soda.


Eighth graders worked with plaster of paris and plastic toys to simulate fossils buried years ago. Each group buried a toy and "dug" it up the next day to visualize how fossils get created.

Eighth grade science students spent time recreating the solar system to scale. Using meter sticks, yarn, planet cut-outs and roll paper - the solar system was revealed before each group's eyes.