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Rockets, DNA & Fabulously Fun Learning In STEM

Last week the sixth and seventh grade students concluded their units on the universe and DNA and in a fun way! 

Sixth graders concluded a unit on the universe. They studied the planets, stars, space history and space travel/rocketry. On day one, the students' task was to make a rocket out of construction paper, card stock or printer paper which could then be launched via air pressure. The rockets were launched at the beginning of class on day two and then the students returned to class to make modifications in the hope to improve rocket performance. On day three, they wrapped up their modifications and relaunched the rockets. The students then evaluated the effectiveness of their modifications in terms of rocket performance. They did awesome! Five rockets landed on the roof of the ECBC sanctuary!

The seventh grade classes were also participating in hands-on learning. Their class had been learning about the structure and function of DNA along with genetics. They were able to see this through a lab that extracted strawberry (plant) DNA. They used hands-on procedures to break through the barriers of a plant cell (cell wall) and isolate and observe actual DNA molecules from strawberry fruit. Although the double helix shape of DNA is not observed, the millions of strands together are observed! It’s pretty cool!

The 10th Grade DC Trip: Exploring Our Nation's Capital!

There's no better time than Spring to explore monuments, museums and memorials in Washington DC! Our 10th grade class, under the guidance of chaperones Kim Moser, Kelly Matthews, Charlie Wulff, and James Ugland, recently returned from a 5 day trip to our nation's capital, on the first annual 10th grade DC trip.

“The reasoning behind the trip is for students to learn about our country’s beginnings through a biblical lens,” explained Mr. Ugland. “They get to see God all throughout our country’s capital. They will also grow together as a class spiritually. We scheduled time to spend in God’s Word each day as we traveled around DC and had some amazing time in fellowship with one another.”

The group stopped by many of the capital's historic memorials, such as the the WWII, Vietnam, Korean, Lincoln, Washington, MLK, Jefferson, and FDR, and toured some of the great museums, such as the Museum of the Bible, the Holocaust Museum, the Spy Museum, the National Archives and the Smithsonian. And of course, what trip to DC would be complete without stopping by the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Capital Building.

The students loved all the stops, but several made a lasting impact. “It was interesting to be exposed to topics we wouldn’t normally get to learn about,” said Ana Tyler. ‘Like, the Holocaust and Bible Museum.”

“Arlington Cemetery and the changing of the guards was really impactful”, said Hans Payne. 

And as they ventured to each site, one couldn’t help notice the beauty of the city itself. “The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom,” explained Anne Lancaster. “They were beautiful.”

“This trip is so important because it impacts not only students from an educational standpoint but from a spiritual standpoint as well,” Ugland explained. “As we study God’s Word together near the monuments and museums we grow closer to our Lord as we recognize how He has always had His hand in our country.”