Science Exchange

Windermere hosted our first quarterly Science Exchange. Students from third, fourth and fifth grades rotated through three different grade level science experiments on the morning of our last early release day.

With a clear mandate for more scientists, and my own passion for hands-on learning, Windermere's intermediate, special areas, intervention, and enrichment teachers worked together to develop common grade level science experiments/experiences that would spark students' interest in science.

I strongly believe the best way to interest students in science is to provide authentic opportunities to do hands-on learning. I also believe science is a great equalizer. Hands-on science provides students who may struggle in literacy a time to shine and fully engage in their learning without reluctance.

Experiments ranged from 3rd grade's mineral hardness tests culminating in a hydrochloric acid test

       

to 4th grade's static electricity experiment

       

and 5th grade's simple machines/force and motion experience.

Students were later engaged in a discussion of the day's events with two over arching questions:
- Why is this important?
- How are these experiments related?
There were no right answers, only a rich discussion driven by students' experiences.

It's my hope that we will continue to do this in the intermediate grades (3rd - 5th) in the future once each quarter. It was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate across grade levels and specializations. It is my sincere hope that this will be the catalyst to inspiring many future scientists and that these experiences will be some of the most memorable for our elementary students.