SCIENCE NIGHT PADLET by Adair Martinez

Title/theme

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:39:01 UTC

"Eco-Explorers: Journey Through Earth's Wonders"-->It captures the wonders of Earth's various habitats as well as the investigation of ecological principles.

Date and Time

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:41:44 UTC

--> Date: February 8, 2024

-options were: January 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

February 8, 9, 15, 17, 22, 24

March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31

April 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

--> Start & end: 6:00-8:00 pm --> Since that is the time The Forth Worth Museum of Science and History's STEAM Festival program takes place at our school.

--> Doors will open at 5:30 pm where we will start the raffle for the kids (Guess the animal), give out instructions, and hand out FAQ sheets at the door. Along with allowing those who want snacks to pass by the food table.

After this 30-minute entrance period, at 6:00 pm we will go by the schedule given by The Forth Worth Museum of Science and History and start the stations.

Rationale/Purpose of the Event

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:42:01 UTC

Through family-friendly STEM activities, our event promotes an appreciation for the environment and an understanding of Earth's ecosystems. We encourage eco-friendly behaviors and emphasize the value of conservation to encourage participants to make sustainable lifestyle choices. This program fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by utilizing practical scientific investigation.

Location and Layout

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:42:30 UTC

-Draw a map layout with stations

--> Where? (Location)

It could either be the cafeteria or the gymnasium, it depends on which space is bigger. From my observations, I could do more with the cafeteria space (it has a big stage area).

Organization Committee/Staff for the event

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:42:42 UTC

As we have done in the past, we will again partner with the Forth Worth Museum of Science and History, which will bring 2-4 staff members. Regarding volunteers, we will do the usual, have a minimum of one teacher from each grade level (K–6), and all kids in grades K–6 have between ten and twenty staff members as well as parent volunteers to assist with check-in, crowd control, and overseeing each booth or station. As long as an adult is with them, we have previously welcomed kids less than kinder age and older than 6th grade age!

We invite parents and family members who would like to volunteer by including an online registration link in our announcement. A minimum of five and a maximum of ten volunteers are what we hope to have. There is a Spanish and English version of this announcement. Important details like email address, first and last name, and the same information for their student are included in the registration link. We also ask them if they are an authorized AISD Volunteer. If not, we provide a link so they can start the procedure. To help with setting up the cafeteria and gymnasium, we ask for the best phone number and email address for communication, as well as their availability to attend 30 minutes before the event begins. We also ask about the languages they know.

We will also offer volunteer/classroom hours to fellow student observers/teachers if they would like to participate in helping make posters, set up, or help manage the stations.

--> Staff/volunteer outfits:

-Shirt Colors: Olive green, forest green, brown, tan, or beige. For a sense of connection to nature.

-Pants Colors: Similar earthy tones like khaki, dark brown, or even navy blue can complement the chosen shirt colors well.

Budget

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:42:48 UTC

--> food/snacks? Who will serve (at a table)?

Two to three volunteers will be manning this station, there will be two tables that will be filled with food/snacks.
Food/snacks/drinks amount:
- Bottled water: One 24 pack = $4.49 * 5 packs = 120 total water bottles OR $22.45
- Capri Sun 40 variety pack: One pack = $13.48 * 2 packs = $26.96
- Frito-Lay Sweet and Salty Mix Variety Pack Snacks (50 ct.) = $21.38 * 3 packs = $64.14
  --> Total: $113.55, with tax, let's just assume $120 + $34 or $23 for the family raffle --> $143-$155
- SCHOOL FUNDS: $200

This is all we will serve, in the past schools have never served snacks & I was pretty adamant about serving food considering the activities, but all food will be close bagged. Participants will have the option to get snacks before or after the event.

--> Supplies

As we have done in the past, we will again partner with the Forth Worth Museum of Science and History, which will bring all the necessary supplies free of charge. Since our school is a Title 1, the programs are funded entirely by Title 1 funds, or because we are a Title 1 school they do the program for free.

Grade Level Bands

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:43:03 UTC

Kinder-6th grade

PK Guidelines/ TEKS

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:43:24 UTC

TEK K.12A-B: Organisms and environments. The student knows that plants and animals depend on the environment to meet their basic needs for survival. The student is expected to: observe and identify the dependence of plants on air, sunlight, water, nutrients in the soil, and space to grow; and observe and identify the dependence of animals on air, water, food, space, and shelter. --> Children learn how organisms need air, water, food, shelter, sunlight, and space by connecting animals to their habitats and talking about adaptations. This reinforces the idea that living things depend on their surroundings for their basic needs.
Jar Terrarium Building --> TEK 1.1G: Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to: develop and use models to represent phenomena, objects, and processes or design a prototype for a solution to a problem. -->This fits in nicely with the goal of the activity, which is to have students model and comprehend how ecosystems work by building a tiny, self-contained ecosystem inside of a jar.
- It also includes TEK 1.1 B,E,& F: (B) use scientific practices to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems;(E) collect observations and measurements as evidence;
  (F) record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs;
Seed Planting & Observation--> TEK 1.12A: Organisms and environments. The student knows that the environment is composed of relationships between living organisms and nonliving components. The student is expected to: classify living and nonliving things based upon whether they have basic needs and produce young; --> With the help of this activity, students can explore the essential needs that plants have to survive and learn about the plant life cycle as they develop from seeds.
Recycled Art Showcase --> TEK 2.1G: Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to: develop and use models to represent phenomena, objects, and processes or design a prototype for a solution to a problem. --> This activity is related to the tek because it involves people making art out of recycled materials and talking about the value of recycling and how it affects the environment.
Build a Bird Feeder --> TEK 3.12B: Organisms and environments. The student describes patterns, cycles, systems, and relationships within environments. The student is expected to: identify and describe the flow of energy in a food chain and predict how changes in a food chain such as removal of frogs from a pond or bees from a field affect the ecosystem; --> This activity is related to the TEK because it deals with the understanding of how feeding birds impacts the ecosystem's energy flow, particularly in the context of a food chain where birds are consumers.
Wind-Powered Experiments --> TEK 4.8A-B: (8) Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy is everywhere and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems. The student is expected to: (A) investigate and identify the transfer of energy by objects in motion, waves in water, and sound; (B) identify conductors and insulators of thermal and electrical energy. --> This TEK focuses on the flow of energy through moving things, such as pinwheels driven by wind. It has to do with turning wind energy into motion. It also has a connection to material properties, which are important to know when creating wind-powered devices.
DIY Moon Craters --> TEK 5.10C: Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns and processes on Earth. The student is expected to: model and identify how changes to Earth's surface by wind, water, or ice result in the formation of landforms, including deltas, canyons, and sand dunes. --> This TEK focuses on comprehending how forces like wind, water, or ice cause changes in the Earth's surface, such as the creation of landforms like sand dunes, canyons, and deltas. Similar to how natural forces gradually shape the Earth's surface, the impact of the marbles on the flour and cocoa powder mimics how meteorite strikes alter the Moon's surface by forming craters.
Erupting Volcano --> TEK 6.10C: Earth and space. The student understands the rock cycle and the structure of Earth. The student is expected to: describe how metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks form and change through geologic processes in the rock cycle. --> Understanding the mechanisms underlying the rock cycle and the structural features of the Earth's layers is consistent with the construction of the model volcano, which mimics volcanic eruptions and conversations concerning volcanic processes and their influence on the planet's surface.

SUGGESTED STATIONS (5 TO 8) HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:43:56 UTC

--> Table set up?

IMPORTANT INFO: At least one volunteer works at a station for each grade level, although their main responsibilities include station manning and assisting with any demonstrations or investigations using the materials provided by the Fort Worth Museum. Usually, there are printed instructions at each station, or a museum staff member delivers a brief "orientation" on how to best engage the children.

Kindergarten (K) - Habitat Hunt

Activity: Habitat Exploration

Materials: Pictures or posters of different habitats, animal toys or pictures.

Description: Children explore various habitat pictures or posters, matching animals to their respective habitats. They discuss how animals adapt to different environments.

-->Safety rules: Make sure kids don't roughly handle toys and pictures and make sure they are careful of getting any paper cuts.

-->Safety equipment: None needed, just supervision.

First Grade (1) - Building a Mini Ecosystem

Activity: Jar Terrarium Building

Materials: Small jars or containers, soil, small plants or seeds, rocks, plastic wrap

Description: Students layer soil, rocks, and plant seeds in the jar to create a miniature self-contained ecosystem. They seal it with plastic wrap and discuss how it works.

-->Safety Rules: Encourage children to handle soil and rocks carefully to avoid spills or messes. Supervision is crucial to ensure no accidental ingestion of soil or seeds.

-->Safety Equipment: Gloves (if necessary), aprons, and handwashing stations after handling soil.

First Grade (1) - Plant Power Garden

Activity: Seed Planting & Observation

Materials: Soil, seeds, small pots, water, journals

Description: Families plant seeds in pots, discussing plant needs and observing growth over time. Children draw and journal about their observations.

-->Safety Rules: Supervise children when handling soil and seeds. Ensure they wash their hands afterward. Avoid ingestion of seeds.

-->Safety Equipment: Gloves (if necessary), aprons, and handwashing stations.

Second Grade (2) - Eco-Art Extravaganza

Activity: Recycled Art Showcase

Materials: Recyclable materials (paper rolls, bottle caps, cardboard), glue, paint

Description: Participants create artwork from recycled materials, discussing the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment.
-->Safety Rules: Ensure that scissors or sharp objects are handled by adults. Supervise glue usage to avoid skin contact.

-->Safety Equipment: Safety scissors, glue sticks instead of liquid glue to avoid spills, and aprons.

Third Grade (3) - Nature's Engineers

Activity: Build a Bird Feeder

Materials: Pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, string

Description: Families create bird feeders with pinecones and birdseed, discussing how feeding birds contributes to the ecosystem.

-->Safety Rules: Avoid any allergies by informing participants about the ingredients in peanut butter and birdseed. Supervise string usage to prevent entanglement.

-->Safety Equipment: Gloves (if necessary), aprons.

Fourth Grade (4) - Wind Power Investigations

Activity: Wind-Powered Experiments

Materials: Pinwheels, small turbines (if available), cardboard, straws

Description: Families create wind-powered devices (like pinwheels) and discuss the use of wind energy.

-->Safety Rules: Supervise children when using any sharp objects like scissors or when handling cardboard.

-->Safety Equipment: Safety scissors and aprons.

Fifth Grade (5) - Space Odyssey Lab

Activity: DIY Moon Craters

Materials: Flour, cocoa powder, marbles, trays

Description: Families create 'moon surfaces' with flour and cocoa powder in trays. They drop marbles to simulate meteorite impacts, observing and discussing crater formations.

-->Safety Rules: Keep the area clean to prevent slips. Ensure marbles are handled carefully to avoid rolling away.

-->Safety Equipment: None

Sixth Grade (6) - Volcanic Ventures

Activity: Erupting Volcano

Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, playdough, food coloring

Description: Families build and erupt a model volcano using baking soda, vinegar, and playdough, discussing volcanic processes and their impact on Earth's surface.

-->Safety Rules: Ensure participants don't ingest any of the materials. Supervise vinegar and baking soda usage to avoid spills.

-->Safety Equipment: Gloves (if necessary), aprons, eye protection for adults handling the vinegar, and handwashing stations.

FLYER CONTENT

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:45:14 UTC

Email that will be sent to parents (which will have an option to be translated into any language as it is online)-->

Subject: Join Us for an Adventure at "Eco-Explorers: Journey Through Earth's Wonders" Science Night!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to invite you and your family to our science night, "Eco-Explorers: Journey Through Earth's Wonders," which promises to be an engaging and informative experience. Through enjoyable STEM activities, this program seeks to promote an awareness of environmental conservation while offering an engaging understanding of Earth's ecosystems.

Date: February 8, 2024

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)

Location: School Cafeteria

Duration: Two hours of interactive and informative activities

What to Bring: Please bring your children (don’t forget them!) and a sense of curiosity to learn and explore!

Safety Reminder: A safety note for parents—our third-grade station involves handling peanut butter. Please take note of any allergies and feel free to skip this station if necessary.

Volunteer Opportunity:

Interested in lending a hand? Sign up to volunteer and be part of this fantastic event!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdndvzmiYzzI23cfJPucCQZ2heMCxQdyy4L9POX_eivJQR-KQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

We hope to see you and your family there for an evening of exploration, discovery, and fun!

Warm regards,

Adair Martinez Rojo - Your event coordinator

ENTRANCE

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 22:50:20 UTC

There will be a table for the kids' raffle (guess the animal) which will then be turned into the family raffle that will take place at the end of the event. On the other side of this table, there will be a snack table, ready to feed 150 people.

--> IDEAS:

Teachers who participate will get a free dress/jeans pass
For the opening, students will be able to participate in a raffle where they must guess the animal with the given clues. The student first student who wins will get extra recess time for them and their class or will get to eat with a friend in the school stage cafeteria. THEY MUST NOT RECEIVE HELP FROM AN ADULT OR ANYONE ELSE, a volunteer will be here to monitor and report what student guesses it first!
- Animal: Otter
  - My diet includes seafood like fish, crabs, and sometimes even turtles. What animal am I?
  - Which mammal has a special pocket in its armpit where it keeps its favorite rock?
  - It's famous for having the densest fur of any mammal. What creature could this be?
Every station gets one ticket which is entered into a raffle, this prize will be for the whole family.
- Idea 1: Plant Starter Pack - Will include seeds, small pots, soil, & basic gardening tools.
  - 13pcs/set PP Gardening Tool, Black Multifunction Gardening Kit For Outdoor ($6.90) + Biodegradable Peat Pots Set (10 piece) ($5.57) + Earth Science Zinnia All-in-One Flower Mix with Seed, Plant Food, Soil Conditioners and Water Right Crystals ($9.99) --> $22.46
- Idea 2: Art Supply Pack - Will include sketchbooks, colored pencils/paint, & science coloring books.
  - Sketchbook 4 pack ($9.99) + Cra-Z-Art 100 count colored pencils ($13.97) + Coloring Books set of 5 ($9.99) --> $33.95
    Teachers will vote on what idea they like best.

HOW WILL I GET A HEAD COUNT?

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 23:00:42 UTC

In past years there has been a ballpark number of around 100 people, so we will assume the max would be 150 people this year.

Ideas of activities

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-09 23:04:46 UTC

Kindergarten (K) - Habitat Hunt

Activity: Habitat Exploration

Materials: Pictures or posters of different habitats, animal toys or pictures

Description: Children explore various habitat pictures or posters, matching animals to their respective habitats. They discuss how animals adapt to different environments.

Kindergarten (K) - Pollination Party

Activity: Bee Dance

Materials: Flower cutouts, headbands, pipe cleaners

Description: Children act as bees, transferring "pollen" (flower cutouts) from one flower to another using headbands with pipe cleaner "antennae".

Kindergarten (K) - Sun Power Fun

Activity: Solar Prints

Materials: Sun-sensitive paper, various objects (leaves, shapes)

Description: Children create art using sun-sensitive paper, observing how the sun's energy creates imprints.

First Grade (1) - Building a Mini Ecosystem

TEK: (12) Organisms and Environments

Activity Description: Kids construct small, contained ecosystems using jars or terrariums, learning about the relationships between plants, soil, and small organisms like worms. They observe how these mini ecosystems sustain themselves.

Activity Name: Ecosystem in a Jar

First Grade (1) - Ecosystem in a Jar

Activity: Jar Terrarium Building

Materials: Small jars or containers, soil, small plants or seeds, rocks, plastic wrap

Description: Students layer soil, rocks, and plant seeds in the jar to create a miniature self-contained ecosystem. They seal it with plastic wrap and discuss how it works.

First Grade (1) - Plant Power Garden

Activity: Seed Planting & Observation

Materials: Soil, seeds, small pots, water, journals

Description: Families plant seeds in pots, discussing plant needs and observing growth over time. Children draw and journal about their observations.

First Grade (1) - Wind Wonder

Activity: Wind-Powered Crafts

Materials: Pinwheels, straws, paper, glue

Description: Families create pinwheels to understand wind energy and its applications.

Second Grade (2) - Eco-Art Extravaganza

Activity: Recycled Art Showcase

Materials: Recyclable materials (paper rolls, bottle caps, cardboard), glue, paint

Description: Participants create artwork from recycled materials, discussing the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment.

Second Grade (2) - Fossil Excavation Adventure

Activity: Fossil Dig

Materials: Plaster of Paris, small plastic dinosaur skeletons or fossils

Description: Children excavate 'fossils' buried in plaster, discussing the process of fossilization and what fossils reveal about Earth's past.

Second Grade (2) - Water Wonders

Activity: Water Wheel Design

Materials: Plastic cups, wooden sticks, tape, water

Description: Participants build water wheels to observe how water energy can be utilized.

Third Grade (3) - Nature's Engineers

Activity: Build a Bird Feeder

Materials: Pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, string

Description: Families create bird feeders with pinecones and birdseed, discussing how feeding birds contributes to the ecosystem.

Fourth Grade (4):

TEK: Model and describe slow changes to Earth's surface.

Activity: "Landforms Creation Station" - Participants simulate landform changes caused by weathering, erosion, and deposition using sand, water, and other materials.

Fourth Grade (4) - Wind Power Investigations

Activity: Wind-Powered Experiments

Materials: Pinwheels, small turbines (if available), cardboard, straws

Description: Families create wind-powered devices (like pinwheels) and discuss the use of wind energy.

Fifth Grade (5) - Space Odyssey Lab

Activity: DIY Moon Craters

Materials: Flour, cocoa powder, marbles, trays

Description: Families create 'moon surfaces' with flour and cocoa powder in trays. They drop marbles to simulate meteorite impacts, observing and discussing crater formations.

Fifth Grade (5) - Lunar Landscapes

Activity: Lunar Terrain Models

Materials: Moon surface images, molding clay, marbles

Description: Families create models of lunar landscapes using molding clay, mimicking the surface features of the moon and discussing lunar terrain.

Sixth Grade (6) - Volcanic Ventures

Activity: Erupting Volcano

Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, playdough, food coloring

Description: Families build and erupt a model volcano using baking soda, vinegar, and playdough, discussing volcanic processes and their impact on Earth's surface.

Sixth Grade (6) - Chemical Reaction Investigation:

Materials: Vinegar, baking soda, food coloring, balloons

Description: Participants explore chemical reactions by mixing vinegar and baking soda in balloons, observing the gas produced and discussing the science behind the reaction.

Information provided by McNutt coordinator

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-16 23:50:14 UTC

In the past, we’ve partnered with either the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History or the Perot Museum and they bring 2-4 staff members and all the necessary supplies.

→ “The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Family STEAM Festival program takes place at your school from 6:00-8:00 pm. We bring hand-on activities and science demonstrations. The Festival programs take place in your school’s cafeteria and gymnasium. If you school does not have these spaces available we are happy to still visit your school! We will just need to do a site visit prior to your Festival to discuss alterative spaces.”

→Available dates are:

January 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

February 8, 9, 15, 17, 22, 24

March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31

April 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

As far as volunteers we usually at least one teacher from each grade level K-6th grades and all students from K-6th have 10-20 staff and parent volunteers to help with check-in, crowd control, and managing each of the booths/stations. In the past, we’ve welcomed children younger than PK age and older than 6th grade age as long as there is an adult with them! To my knowledge we’ve never provided childcare or anything like that.

We Include a link in our online announcement for parents/family members who would like to volunteer. A minimum of 5 and a max of 10. We also include the announcement in both English and Spanish. The link includes questions such as: Email, Last name, First name, Your student’s name: Last name, First name, Are you an approved AISD Volunteer (If not, we provide a link that allows them to become one), What is the best phone number & email address to contact you?, Will you be able to arrive 30 min-1hr before the start time of the event to help prepare the cafeteria/gymnasium for the event?, & finally we ask what languages they speak. All these questions are included in both English & Spanish.

Usually, each grade level has at least 1 volunteer at a station, but they’re just manning the station and facilitating whatever demonstration or investigation is happening with the materials that the Fort Worth Museum provided. Generally, each station comes with some printed instructions or the employee from the museum gives a quick “orientation” on how to best engage the kids.

"The funding for the programs always comes from Title 1 money, or because we are a Title 1 school, they do the program for free, so I actually do not know what the amounts are.

In the past two years that I’ve done the Science nights we have not done snacks, but I’d say that usually we would just get a ballpark number of 100 or so and plan for that."

FAQ HANDOUT

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-18 07:28:45 UTC

About Rotations

adamartinez2377_ — 2023-11-18 21:03:49 UTC

Since we always get around 90-110 people, we will assume the outcome will be 120, but are prepared for 150 people.

Anyways, going based on the 120 expected people and the 8 total stations there will be, every 10–15 people will go to one station based on the order of arrival, this will work since each station will be 2 tables big in an L formation. Each station will be 15 minutes long and people will move counterclockwise in order of stations (activity tables will be numbered. ex: 1-->2, 5-->6, and so on).