This week slideshow depicts: 6th graders working on their integrated Maker-Space + Science Unit culminating project, where they were busy researching their cooperative groups' energy research topics, assembling their electronic circuit quiz game boards, and then beginning the design and construction of their renewable energy models that they will share with other classes at our first ever Decatur Energy Fair, which will be on Monday, June 6th; 7th graders wrapped up their SEPUP unit exploring evolution with a series of investigations into how homologous skeletal structures and comparative embryology are used by scientists to support Darwin's theory of evolution; and 8th grade wrapped up a unit exploring the physics of engineering and design of safer automobiles.
This week: 6th grade will have special guest speakers in class on Thursday, as a team of Northwestern University's Engineers Without Borders Chapter will present to both 6th grade classes how they utilize STEM skills to help people around the world as part of EWB, as well as their own passions for STEM in general along with what it's like to be a college student at NU.
7th grade and 8th grade will end the year with a Frog Dissection Investigation, which allows them to apply knowledge and skills that they studied within the biological sciences by exploring similar skills used by STEM career professionals such as medical doctors and surgeons, veterinarians, forensic scientists, ecologists, etc.