Third grade Rockhounds split a Geode! November 14, 2008
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Without a doubt, one of the most exciting units in science is the study of Rocks and Minerals. All grade 3 students in Burlington become rock and mineral experts. One of their favorite activities is to watch a Geode being split in half by a Diamond Blade Rock Saw.
Francis Wyman student displaying un-cut geode
The Burlington Science Center is lucky enough to own a really “neat” rock saw! The saw has diamond chips on the blade and spins through water in order to keep things cool as the geode is being cut.
Diamond blade rock saw cutting the geode.
The fascinating thing about Geodes is that no one has any idea what is inside the spherical hunk of rock! One theory of how they are created is: Geodes begin as bubbles in volcanic rock as it cools. Sometimes they can also form in Sedimentary Rock where an animal once made a hole or even where a mud ball formed. Over thosands of years, water seeps through the air bubble and deposits crystals of minerals like quartz. The crystals keep building up in the bubble and over time create a beautiful design. The only way to determine what is inside the geode is to either smash it open with a large hammer or cut it in half with a diamond rock saw. The secret is trapped in the rock for thousands of years!
Francis Wyman student displays beautiful geode
We hope that some Burlington students will have the opportunity to hunt for their very own geodes on a family vacation. To learn more about Geodes, you can visit: www.desertusa.com. You can also buy pre-cut Geodes online.
Pumpkin Science! November 12, 2008
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Every 2nd grade had the opportunity to participate in Pumpkin Science!
Each class received a pumpkin with a series of hands-on experiments including Sink or Float & the Science of Fire. They recorded data such as pumpkin weight. Teachers also had their students’ measure the circumference and diameter of the pumpkin using both English and Metric units.
Pumpkin Data Chart
Ms. Sheehan and student testing Sink or Float
Mrs. Screnci teaches about the Fire Triangle
What is the circumference of our pumpkin?
We love Pumpkin Science!
4th Grade Rocket Day Blasts Off! November 3, 2008
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All 4th grade students in Burlington had the opportunity to build and launch their own model rockets. They learned about forces, motion and rocket design. Rocket Day reinforced the tech & engineering standards in the Science Curriculum. This yearly event has been widely attended and supported by Burlington parents.
This year the event was generously sponsored by the United States Air force communication Group of Hanscom Air force Base. BHS graduate, Amanda Gustafson, was instrumental in acquiring funds for the project.
Mr. Pap teaching about forces
Ms. Pavlicek rides the Rocket Car
Excited students wait for launch
Up and away!
Students watching rockets in the sky
A great day for everyone!
Captain Harding Flies an RC Helicopter
We would like to thank the students, teachers and parents for all their hard work.
We would also like to thank Rick Karwan (Rick Karwan Photos) for sending us some great photos.
Animal of the Month October 16, 2008
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Eastern Screech Owl
Name: Cricket
Cricket’s Story
Cricket came to the Science Center in Fall of 2000. She was attacked by a cat in the backyard. The cat proceeded to bring the young owl into its own kitchen. The owner of the cat found the owl and called a Wildlife Center to come rescue the bird. Her wounds were cared for and Cricket was released back into the wild.
Science Center gets a Seismograph! October 14, 2008
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The Science Center is very excited to announce the arrival of a Seismograph. As a finalist for MA Teacher of the Year, Mr. Papadonis received funding from Hannafords Supermarkets. The money was used to purchase the seismograph. Once it is up and running, students will be able to observe real-time earthquake activity from around the world.
Hello from the Science Center! October 9, 2008
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Mr. Papadonis & Ms. Pavlicek
Greetings from the Science Center! We would like to introduce our new blog. We are very excited and look forward to sharing the world of Science with you.
”Science is Life”
