Algebra students spent a week studying catapults. They began by learning about the history of catapults, medieval math, the science of projectile motion and energy conversions. They put principles of engineering into practice as they designed and built their own unique mini catapults, followed by using algebra as they collected launch data in order to write equations modeling their catapults' trajectories.

 

On the final day, they took to the field in groups to launch rocks and melons from a full-sized trebuchet built by Mr. Morehouse and his wonderful Clairbourn maintenance team. Each group was given an equation for the trajectory of their object and used the quadratic formula to calculate their launch placement in order to knock down the target castle! Well done, eighth graders!

 

 

Our kindergarteners have been busy learning science and biology! Students observed silkworms hatching and learned about their life cycles. They wrote entries into their silkworm journals to record the process. Each student selected their own silkworm, made a little home for it and

observed it spinning the cocoon! Besides silkworms, kindergarteners also learned about ladybugs, caterpillars and praying mantises! This project is fulfilling the Next Generation Science Standards for kindergarten to learn about life cycles. Next time you get a chance, take a peek into the kindergarten classroom! Silkworm cocoons should start to hatch into moths next week!

 

Did you know?

Silk thread is actually hardened silkworm saliva and on larger silkworms it is possible to see eight pairs of legs, claspers and a beating heart. Silkworms do not have lungs and breath through small holes in the sides of their body!

 

 

Middle school science lab has been filled with actions! We use so much energy in our lives every day to regulate the temperature in our homes, schools, and offices – how can we use technology and choices to become more energy efficient? After conducting experiments with passive cooling of houses and learning about LEED certification for green buildings, eighth grade students used reclaimed materials to construct models of buildings with features that demonstrate LEED requirements for sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and water efficiency.

 

Seventh graders studied the human respiratory system and built working lung models from two small balloons for the lungs and one large balloon stretched over the end of a cup for the diaphragm. By stretching or releasing the diaphragm, students created high or low pressure inside the cup to make the lungs inflate or deflate. A seventh grade parent who is an organic chemist and process engineer visited the class and shared information about incomplete combustion creating carbon monoxide and about how CO detectors work. The students were challenged to balance combustion chemical equations, applying problem-solving and math skills in science class.

 

The sixth grade class might have preferred traveling to Hawaii to see real shield volcanoes in action, but instead they worked together to create simulated nonexplosive eruptions with baking soda and vinegar. Using different colors of play dough to trace the path of repeated eruptions, students could see how shield volcanoes develop their distinct wide and gently sloping shape.

 

 

Clairbourn Preschool Camp

Ms. Wong and Ms. Machi are running a preschool summer camp for current JPK and incoming JPK (age 3 by 6/24). ALL students must be three years old when they enter this camp to be eligible. Email here to sign up!