This week's slideshow highlights: 5th grade class investigating Earth's ocean surface temperature distribution patterns to see if there is a relationship with latitude; 6th grade conducted a cooperative group lab experiment to test how "Green Roof" garden designs can lower indoor air temperature to combat the phenomenon of "The Urban Heat Island Effect", as well as how green roofs can reduce urban runoff that often leads to flooding; both 6th and 7th grade classes received a special visit from Northwestern University students who presented to them on their work as part of NU's chapter of "Engineers Without Borders/EWB"; the NU EWB members also led a cooperative group engineering and design STEM challenge where both 7th grade classes got together to see which team of 3 students could design the most effective water filter; 7th grade also wrapped up their Cell Biology SEPUP unit by taking their unit final exam and they began their next SEPUP Inquiry Unit on "Reproduction" by digging into how genes are passed from parents to offspring and sometimes contribute to genetic disorders such as Marfan Syndrome; and 8th grade class worked in cooperative research teams to collect evidence as they participated in a mock Chicago City Council debate on whether plastic, glass, or aluminum should be the material of choice for drink containers within the city as part of their "Chemistry of Materials" SEPUP Inquiry Unit. Thank you for checking in with us this week:)