MOORE SCIENCE CHANGES, THE THIRD PART IN A SERIES rentwood Borough SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
18 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL
Since the fall issue we have been following the transition to the new science standards in our elementary schools. In this issue, our fourth-grade teacher describes her learning journey including working with Penn State University professors to represent our district at a national conference and bringing back a new resource to use with her students.
The 4th graders have embarked on an exciting scientific journey over the past few months, combining hands-on exploration, innovative problem-solving, and creativity. Their recent efforts focused on piloting the new OpenSciEd curriculum, designed to align with updated science standards and emphasize deeper understanding through real-world applications.
In November, Miss Downey attended the National Science Teaching Association( NSTA) Conference in New Orleans alongside representatives from Penn State University. The conference was full of inspiration, and Miss Downey returned brimming with new ideas. One standout session demonstrated how LEGOs could be seamlessly integrated into science instruction, sparking her enthusiasm to bring this approach into her classroom. The students explored motion and energy transfer as part of their science curriculum. With LEGOs as their tools, they demonstrated energy transfer in creative and meaningful ways. They built a mini-golf course to visualize the effects of motion and collision and engineered a ramp to show how energy transfer could enable someone in a wheelchair to bowl. This handson approach helped solidify key concepts while fostering critical thinking and collaboration.
December brought an exciting engineering challenge: creating a fully functional arcade out of cardboard, dubbed the“ Reindeer Games.” The students applied the engineering design process to brainstorm, prototype, and refine their games, transforming simple materials into interactive experiences. The arcade featured a wide variety of games, including basketball, bowling, football, foosball, skeeball, and many others. Each design reflected the students’ creativity and problem-solving skills, and the 1st graders were thrilled to test out the finished products.
These projects highlighted the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics( STEM) in ways that made learning both engaging and relevant. By blending inquiry-based learning with practical application, the 4th graders not only deepened their understanding of scientific principles but also discovered the joy of innovation.
It has truly been an adventurous and inspiring season of science learning in the classroom, filled with exploration, discovery, and a shared sense of accomplishment.