The Force is With Fifth Grade!

In preparation for our upcoming session of Genius Hour, fifth grade is participating in an exploratorium.  We will look at four different science subject areas: forces and motion, energy, states of matter, and human interactions with the environment.  

Mrs. Sayre helped kick off this exploratorium with a lesson on forces.  She led students in a discussion of the different types of forces and how they affect motion.  The students then had the opportunity to experiment with these forces through Domino Bowling.  They worked in a cooperative team using Dominoes and a marble to recreate bowling.  They then experimented by using felt to create friction, and a ramp to create more potential energy. Once they bowled several rounds, the students used a round robin to discuss the differences that they noticed.  

Next week, the students will continue their exploration of forces.  They will be given the task of moving a toy car without touching it and using only the materials provided. I cannot wait to see what they come up with!