This past Tuesday and Wednesday night, over fifty fifth graders from the participated in the 12th annual Family Science Night. Students explored the world of science by conducting experiments and working through the scientific method. Materials were set up at stations in the cafeteria and each student was given the tools to investigate a problem in a scientific way…including purpose, hypothesis, test, data analysis, observation and conclusion.
In “Judging Your Reaction,” students observed changes in reaction time under various circumstances. Their adult guests caught a falling yard stick while looking
directly at it, while reciting the multiplication table and, finally, by only using their peripheral vision. In writing their conclusions, students projected their findings onto driving safety.
In “It’s a Dirty Job but Somebody Has to Do It,” young scientists and their assistants compared how water drains through different soil types. Over the course of fifteen minutes, students logged levels of water drainage through sand, clay and
loam. Participants drew conclusions regarding the use of each soil type in
everyday life.
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The fifth graders were particularly taken by the table of LIVE micro-organisms which were vividly observed with lighted microscopes. Hundreds of tapeworms, flatworms and daphnia were happy to show their stuff!
The Fifth Grade Family Science Night is one of several academic programs sponsored by MESA’s year long fundraising. Jordan-Jackson co-Principal Teresa Murphy described the night as a “wonderful opportunity for science enrichment.”
Students learn to develop new strategies and skills to solve problems in a
controlled environment.
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Family Science Night demonstrates the community partnership in Mansfield. This year, parent coordinators, Amy Tarlton and Liz Christo, got help from Mansfield High School. Members of the National Honor Society and the Student Service Corp. (SSC) were on hand to assist the scientists in their work.
Liz, a program veteran, shared that each year, there are several students who become so engrossed that they want to stay much later to complete one more experiment. Feeding that eagerness to learn is probably why Liz keeps coming back to help!