A special thank you to our chaperones who joined us today - Jackie O'Doherty, Anthony Rodrigues, Taso Giannopoulos and Julie Whelan. In big part, today went so smoothly because of all of your help.
We left Sheehan at 9:00am this morning. After about an hour's bumpy and fun bus ride - we had a whole bus to ourselves - the 1P express to MOS, we made it to the Museum. We headed inside and went to check out the Cosmic Light exhibit. Many of us were comparing information about the planets to see - how many moons? which one had the most moons? which one takes the longest to go around the sun? which one is farthest from the sun? is there a relationship there?
After asking and answering many questions, we went to the Planetarium. We had our own Sheehan First Grade show! The entire show tied into our Earth Science Unit about the Seasons and the sky and the changes we see. It also told us about the moon and how it changes and why, as well as the length of our days and nights on Earth and how and why they change.
Once this show was over, we divided into our groups with our chaperones and went off to follow our Scientific exploration schedule. We went to the Suit Cabot Lab where we could make our own microscope slides with moss samples and see all of the tiny creatures that are actually living there. We could also mix different solutions together to see the color-changing results!
At the Design Challenge, the challenge was to build a sailboat using the materials and then test it out in a race. We could try to make the fastest one or try to carry the most gems in our boats. Some of our 1P scientists immediately wanted to carry the most gems - 4 of them with different designs prepared to race but all of the boats sank. So, just like real scientists, it was back to the drawing board to change our design, and for some the challenge we wanted to try. Then we could go back and try again!
In the lighthouse, the students were able to look at mirrors and experiment with light and reflection. They were also able to use light to make shadows. This is continuing the science we are currently working on in 1P!
In Take a Closer Look, First graders were working with experiments and activities that asked them to use their senses. They were making vibrations and working with sound to complete many of the activities.
Each group also had some free time during which the groups could decide together where to go. Some groups went to the dinosaur exhibit, others went to the Science in the Park indoor playground and some chose to visit the Space Shuttle and see what it is like to be inside.
All groups took a lunch break to eat outside in the shade. It was a perfect day!
Now we are all ready for Derby Day tomorrow and to make our predictions for the race!
Mrs. P :)
