The Science Behind Everyday

For the past two weeks, we have enjoyed learning from a new set of classes! Most of us like to eat candy, but watch out for those cavities! Teacher Gordon, who is a dentist in real life, taught us the importance of maintaining clean and healthy teeth. We got to see what tooth decay looks like when we don’t brush and floss regularly. Hmm…not a pretty sight. “Brush twice a day, for at least 2 minutes, and floss once a day.” We will try our best to take care of our teeth Teacher Gordon! Now…how do we get from here to there? Teacher Cindy and teacher Victoria taught us about how maps give us important information about many things, and not just directions! For example, did you know that certain maps can show us what the weather is like in different parts of the country? And there are maps that can show us what parts of the entire world children are most able to read? Wow, maps can teach us so many things! Vroom!! Vrooom!! Turn on the ignition and get ready to go! How many of us have wondered just what goes on underneath the hood of a car? How does a car work so we can accelerate with just a turn of the key and a press of the gas pedal? Teacher Jackson, through a transparent model, demonstrated how the engine inside a car works and what each part is designed to do. Amazing! These lessons have taught us how important science is in our daily life. Next time, we will have better understanding of the way things work when we brush our teeth, look at a map, or ride in a car.

Fun at Lawrence Hall of Science!

ImpACT went to the Lawrence Hall of Science as our first field trip of the summer! Even before the cars stopped, the students were super excited. They eagerly looked for the Campanile and marveled at the number of seats in the UC Berkeley Memorial Stadium. While waiting for more cars to arrive, the students played on the giant whale and DNA structures. They enjoyed it so much that their Team Leads had to convince them to go into the Hall and also promise that they would return to the DNA structure later.

At the Animal Grossology exhibit, the students learned about the many textures, scents, and make up of animal parts, such as hairballs, slime, and even poop! Initially, the students were scandalized but their curiosity overcame their inhibitions. It brought the students great delight to share their newfound knowledge with their team leads. A couple of students generously shared with their Team Leads the difference between the smell of musk and urine. Ewww… Then, there was the maze. Though bigger and older, the Team Leads were not any wiser than their students in finding the exit out of the maze. Only through working together did the teams manage their way of the maze.

At lunch, the students ate against the backdrop of the San Francisco Bay and a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge. They discussed with their Team Leads their favorite thing so far. “The octopus slide! The climate sphere! The maze! Oh, the DNA model!” they shouted. Overall, the students’ enthusiasm and energy were contagious. We’re all eagerly looking forward to the next field trip and counting the days until then.