Thanks to everyone who helped make NJ Makers Day at the Oradell Public Library a big success! It was great to see kids making all kinds of projects. I had a great time teaching kids how to make custom mission patches, build sandwiches that hold together in microgravity, and solve space-themed puzzles. I’m looking forward to more even events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
What have we been up to lately in the science lab? Kindergarteners made marble tracks to show how they can make things change speed and direction. First graders are getting inspired by nature to make inventions that can protect people, the way a turtle’s shell keeps that animal safe. Second graders are designing and carrying out experiments to see what plants need to survive. Third graders are discovering that our explanations of fossil finds can change as we find more evidence. Fourth graders finished their eye models (which you should ask for a demo of, if you have a fourth grader) and are now demonstrating how we can see objects when light reflects off them. Fifth graders have been combining and changing matter, and concluding that matter is not created or destroyed, just conserved. Sixth graders used what they know about equal and opposite actions to built satellite models that hold together, even when they hit the floor. Soon they’ll be assembling and launching model rockets.