Keep investigating the world around you!

Science is everywhere!    

We once again had a great turnout for our Science Fair this year.  It is fun to look at all the experiments, listen to students explain their experiment and in general see everyone having fun.  For me this year a highpoint was walking down the corridor listening to a daughter say to her dad, "Science Fairs are fun, aren't they Dad?".  That's what it is all about - making the science fun and interesting, and seeing it all around you.  However, it is also nice to see that this experiment of adding a Science Fair to our school has had some very positive measurable results.   The April 26th edition of Northshore Connections mentions Fernwood Elementary as one of the schools recognized by the Washington State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction as making exceptional gains in student achievement in science.  Also, when I attended the Skyview Junior High Parents night for incoming 7th graders, the seventh grade science teacher mentioned how the students from Fernwood really "got" the scientific methods already.  Congratulations to all the parents, teachers and kids who worked hard on the Science Fair and projects - your hard work has really paid off.  Thank you, Amy Oliver, for getting the whole thing started!

My 6th grader and I are moving on to Skyview and I hope that someone will take over the blog.  It is a fun way to contribute and easy to do.  If anyone wishes to take over the blog, contact me through the blog or Amy at amyroliver@gmail.com.  In the meantime, keep exploring the world around you!

Summer Science! 

Family Friendly Math Camp; Science Time

Age Group(s): Children and Families Date: 6/20/2013 Start Time: 7:00 PM Description: Make math and science connections, and increase literacy skills, during these  fun and activity-based programs. Free. For Ages 0 – Grade 3. Are you in 4th Grade or older? Check out the Tween Science Program, offered at the same time. Library: Snohomish Library Tween Science Program Age Group(s): Children and Families Date: 6/20/2013 Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 8:30 PM Description: Keep your Science Mojo going over summer vacation! For Grade 4 and up. Join us for experiments on the following topics: Thursday, June 20: Electricity Thursday, July 18: Cells and Simple Organisms Thursday, August 15: Force and Motion Not in 4th Grade yet? Check out the Family Friendly Math & Science Time, offered at the same time. Library: Snohomish Library Dig into Mad Science: Up, Up, and Away! Event Type: School-Age Program Age Group(s): Children and Families, All Ages Date: 6/21/2013 Start Time: 4:00 PM End Time: 5:00 PM Description: Spellbinding tricks will show how air pressure affects the world around us. See a hot air balloon made out of a dry-cleaning bag, learn the science behind a parachute, watch a vortex generator at work, ride a hovercraft, and experience cinematic special effects! Library: Lynnwood Library Location: Large meeting room  Visit a local museum or enroll in a summer camp.   Pacific Science Center http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/Camps/camps-for-curious-minds.html .  They also have Parents Night Out  http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/parents-night-out Seattle Aquarium  http://www.seattleaquarium.org/camps-family-programs Burke Museum  http://www.burkemuseum.org/education/summer/ Many of the local museums have memberships that work as part of a network.   Make sure you check to see if your museum membership will get you into a museum in another city when  you are on vacation:  Pacific Science center offers reciprocal membership with other ASTC member museums.  http://www.astc.org/members/passlist.htm Burke Museum offers reciprocal Membership with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Stonerose Fossil Center in Republic, WA. Also, many local Seattle museums offer free or discounted days, many on the first Thursday of the month.  http://freemuseumday.org/sea.html Use the Library!  There are many free science (and other) programs offered free through  the libraries.  There are many science related books, audio books and videos on the shelves.   There is access to information through databases, kids pages and links to science related activities.  KCLS offers some free museum passes.  KCLS Kids Page http://www.kcls.org/kids/ Summer Reading  http://www.kcls.org/kids/summer/ Summer Programs  http://www.kcls.org/kids/summer/programs.cfm SNO-ISLE Kids Page http://www.sno-isle.org/?ID=1250 Kids Science Page  http://www.sno-isle.org/?ID=2777&cid=750 Summer Reading http://www.sno-isle.org/?ID=3936 Summer Programs http://host5.evanced.info/sno_isle/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ag=Children+and+Families&et=&df=list&cn=0&private=0&ln=ALL Explore the world around you. Visit a park and explore: http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Park_Information/Park_Directory/Regional_Parks/North_Creek.htm Take a hike and explore: http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=4175 Go bicycling and explore: http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails/regionaltrailssystem/burkegilman.aspx Check out these great websites: Discover Life (great nature website, lots of information, maps and pictures)   http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/ Cornell University (Birds website)   http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478 San Diego Zoo  http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals Astronomy for Kids  http://www.kidsastronomy.com/ Stargazers  (online siter for the PBS astronomy short)   http://stargazersonline.org/ NOAA Website (study about tides)  http://www.education.noaa.gov/ Have fun!