Science dept. news
Sixth grade – we’re ending the year talking about the water cycle and how the driving force behind the water cycle is the thermal energy from the sun. Without the sun, the liquid water of the earth would not turn to water vapor and turn to clouds! Then in the last few days, we are going to wrap up the year by doing a bunch of mini experiments we saw while taking a field trip to NTC back in April. So, sorry in advance, parents, but things might get a bit messy!
Eighth grade – We’re ending the year talking about total mechanical energy of systems. We explored kinetic energy (energy due to movement), gravitational potential energy (stored energy due to the distance away from a gravitational force) and elastic potential energy (stored energy due to the stretching or compression of a material). We discovered how to calculate all three as well! KE = 1/2 m*v2, PEgravity = m*g*h, and PEelastic = ½ k * x2 ! We’re going to end our year by doing experiments on how to manipulate those variables to achieve the highest Joule output for our systems. So again, sorry in advance to you parents if your child is flinging rubber bands around this summer; their curiosity is just getting the best of them as they try to calculate different “k” constants for elastic potential energy and see how it transfers to kinetic energy.
Integrated science – We are ending the year with important foundational skills on how to properly run a debate. This is the first time the kids have had a formal debate and they are doing an exceptional job at it. They were tasked to find some topics that would interest them and were willing to be either for or against the issue. Our three topics were: global climate change – humans are mainly responsible for the drastic climate changes the world is experi- encing, mandatory vaccines – humans should not have a choice when it comes to vaccinating against dis- eases that arise in the population, and genetically modified humans – we should genetically modify humans for the betterment of humankind. All three of these issues are contro- versial and I am extremely proud of how civil the kids have been when de- bating. Their fact finding and infor- mation delivery has made leaps and bounds since they first walked into my classroom back in August of 2022.
Chemistry – To the parents of the kids in chemistry, be proud your child got through the class. To the kids who got through this trimester of chemistry, BREATHE! You finally did it! Once spring sports really kicked into gear, class got really convoluted and at times, turned into a struggle. Rarely during the trimester did I have a full class because there is such high participation in spring sports that the kids were leaving early to attend their game/meet. Because of this, some of the information the kids had to self-teach and learn new study habits to understand the material and I am proud how they persevered and pressed on, determined not to give up. They may never use the information they learned during this trimester again, but finding the determination to pass chemistry with a high grade will prove to be a more valuable life skill that they can recall upon when facing any future problem in their life. Parents, be proud of your child and how they are turning into a young adult. Kids, see you next year in advanced chemistry!
Personal letter – I have learned more in these past nine months of teaching than I have in the 20ish years of taking classes. I am grateful for the opportunity that the Loyal School District gave me and glad they took a chance on a person with minimal educational experience. I can finally say I found a career that I not only enjoy, but am proud to be doing. From assisting football, basketball, and a whirlwind of subjects ranging from the basic sixth-grade science to the advanced intricacy of AP physics, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the scientific world that I never would have achieved otherwise if I had not been a teacher.
There were days in the beginning of the school year where I did struggle, wondered about the grand scheme of life and what this is all for, but I am glad I work with such supporting staff who helped me through those times. I especially want to thank Ms. Stanley, my coworker and co-science teacher. Without her guidance, knowledge and tutelage, I do not know if I could say with conviction that my year would have gone as well as it did. Overall, this year was an absolute blast, and I am already excited to see what the coming year has in store!
