WEATHER IS WILD!!

Goodpasture STEM Lab students began the new semester learning about weather!  We had several Bible infusion lessons about weather in the Bible that perfectly fit into our study. Do you remember when Jesus calmed the storm on the sea?  Did you know that hail was one of the plagues in Egypt?  Of course, we all know about Noah and the flood!  What about the rainbow, as God's promise never to destroy the earth by flood again?  Weather is seen over and over again throughout the scriptures, revaling God's amazing power!

In our study of weather, students expereinced a fun and comprehensive study, while also covering many aspects of math, science, writing and technology research.  Students were introduced to new weather vocabulary; they understood the difference between weather and climate; they investigated  precipitation and the water cycles; and they learned about various tools used in meteorology.  

Students enjoyed creating "Precipitation Pals" and flip books, and researching wild weather!  Our middle Tennessee weather even cooperated a bit with our study, and students got to see some cold, wet and icy weather up close through the STEM Lab room windows!

Happy, Healthy Holidays!!

STEM Students completed our nutrition study with a healthy, holiday lab!  Students enjoyed making healthy holiday book marks and healthy holiday cards for their families!  They also had fun working healthy holiday word finds and puzzles! Hopefully, our students will take the information they have learned, and apply it to their daily diets -- especially through the holiday season, that is often filled with unhealthy eating choices! 

Our festive happy, healthy holiday lab was a great end to our first semester of STEM Lab!!

Celebrate Health!!

As we began the final weeks of fall semester, students participated in two weeks of celebrating good health by learning about proper nutrition and diet.

Our Bible infusion covered the story of Daniel's refusal to eat the king's rich food found in
Daniel 1:8 - 16 -- Daniel decided not to eat the king's food or drink his wine because that would make him unclean.  So he asked Ashpenaz for permission not to mek himself unclean in this way.  God made Ashpenaz, the chief officer, want to be kind and merciful to Daniel, but Ashpenaz said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my master, the king.  He ordered me to give you this food and drink.  If you begin to look worse than other young men your age, the king will see this.  Then he will cut off my head because of you.  Ashpenaz had ordered a guard to watch Daniel, Hananiah, Mishal, and Azariah.  Daniel said to the guard, "Please give us this test for ten days:  Don't give us anything but vegetables to eat and water to drink.  After ten days, compare how we look with how the other young men look who eat the king's food.  See for yourself and then decide how you want to treat us, your servants."  So the guard agreed to test them for ten days.  After ten days, they looked healthier and better fed that all the young men who ate the king's food.  So the guard took away the king's special food and wine, feeding them vegetables instead. 

Students were introduced to the major food groups and the food pyramid.  We talked about our favorite foods, and why we enjoy them.  We talked about foods that are not our favorites, and why we don't like those. 

All students participated in a "Food Journal" project, logging each meal components for one day.  On week two of this lab, we analyzed the results of our food data.  Students were amazed at how much "junk" we put into our bodies daily.  Most students fell far below the nutritional guidelines outlined in the food pyrament.  Most students had a majority of unhealthy food choices on their food journal, and this was eye opening!  As well, many learned that NOT eating a healthy breakfast is REALLY a bad idea!

Students in grades 3 - 6 also used iPads to research ingredients found in some popular foods.  Some ingredients found in common foods are also used in hair dye, facial cream, and fertilizer!  Yuck!  Students learned how to find and understand the nutritional information found on packaged foods.  They also learned that if we don't really know what an ingredient is, it might be better not to ingest it!

Pre-first through second grade students enjoyed reading and discussing some books about healthy eating, and they created a booklet about nutrition.  They also completed a listening/writing activity about "The Berenstein Bears and Too Much Junk Food".  They enjoyed presenting their stories to the class!  Students also finished up the produce from our Tower Garden!  They enjoyed some yummy lettuce and herbs.  We will be re-planting again for our spring garden in February!