Quick update

Owls:

The owls have been busy learning more about energy. They learned about photovoltaic cells (PVCs) and had the opportunity to play with some PVCs and motors. We also talked about the energy in their food. The kids drew a favorite meal on a paper plate and traced every item in their meal back to the sun's energy. The kids were also exposed to the concept of potential and kinetic energy, and they had the opportunity to play with film canister rockets. I didn't have a chance to take pictures, but the kids had a blast with the mini rockets.

In addition to learning more about energy, the owls made nocturnal insects ID booklets to use during their camping trip, and they dissected owl pellets.

Owls working on their nocturnal insects ID booklets

Owl pellets are so much fun!

Drawing a favorite meal and tracing its energy back to the sun 

Having fun with photovoltaic cells

Eagles:

The eagles have been busy learning more about evolution and playing the evolution game. They learned the difference between natural and artificial selection, and started studying their population of insects. The kids had to determine which individuals (from their game) would have better chances of surviving in the native area. The kids had very good class discussions and were able to arrive to some conclusions as a group. They are already starting to see some traits disappearing from their population.

In addition to playing the game and learning about natural vs artificial selection, the kids watched a documentary about whale evolution. Whale evolution is really interesting since they evolved from land animals.

Kids discussing insects' chances of survival 

crows:

After ensuring that every crow was familiar with the forces involved in flight, the kids had an opportunity to build catapults for their paper planes. They knew that the catapult would help their planes have more thrust and less drag (air resistance).

After completing the paper airplane physics unit, I brought two hands on activities for the kids to explore. They had a chance to explore and try to figure out the physics behind each activity. One activity illustrated Newton't first law of inertia and the other illustrated Newton's third law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction).

Working on catapults

Newton's laws hands on activity