IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2016 | Page 83

C I THOOL
Y OF MC
KE E SP
N E WS
SC
DI STRI
C TOR
N ETWS

McKeespor
BrentwoodtBorough

Seventh
Graders Go to
Mars!
Seventh grade students had the
opportunity to extent their learning
of space exploration by attending the
Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling
Jesuit University. This center continues
the legacy of Christa McAuliffe and the
crew of the Challenger, tragically lost
in 1986, by teaching and engaging
students' interest in space travel.
Students experienced a simulation of
landing a spacecraft on Mars from both
mission control posts and from their
actual spacecraft. Student astronauts
relied on team building skills and
knowledge of Mars and its conditions
to successfully land with the hope
of colonizing. Potentially living on
this barren planet takes the skill and
knowledge that our students showed
through completing STEM challenges,
including ways to land and build on
Mars. Since the simulator was studentled, it depended on students' wealth
of knowledge and work ethic for our
mission's success. Great job astronauts!

The Constellations Come to Brentwood
Submitted by: David Radcliffe and Kristin Papariello
Earlier this school year, the 7th and 8th grade students at Brentwood Middle
School were seeing stars. However, these stars were not the result of a bump
on the head; rather, they were part of a presentation brought to the school
by PittCon, a non-profit organization that as part of its community outreach
initiative provides opportunities for students to experience the night sky inside
of a 24’x14’ inflatable planetarium. Brentwood Middle School 7th grade Science
teacher, Kristin Papariello learned about PittCon through a seminar provided by
the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh. Ms. Papariello then organized the visit to
enhance a curricular unit on astronomy.
As the students entered the planetarium, which was set up in the gymnasium,
they were greeted by the sights of Stonehenge in England. After a discussion
of the historical significance of monuments such as Stonehenge and their
relationship to astronomy, the students had the opportunity to view the major
constellations of the northern hemisphere. After pointing out the stars that
comprise constellations such as the Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt among others,
the PittCon presenters were able, with the touch of their laptop, to transform the
planetarium sky into a collage of amazing figures. The presenters shared many of
the mythological tales associated with the constellations and the images that the
stars create in the sky. The students were excited to share their Zodiac signs and
find them among the stars!
Brentwood Middle School would like to thank PittCon and Ms. Papariello
for the wonderful learning opportunity that the planetarium provided for our
students!
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 81