Jefferson School Fundraising Events

Science Corner

Lisa Frothingham, Science Coordinator

     Did you know that all elementary level teachers in the Corvallis School District use FOSS Science Kits to teach science in their classrooms? Each FOSS Kit is a self-contained unit of study on a different topic that is designed to span several weeks. The kits contain all the lab supplies, equipment and resources a teacher will need to teach the unit. FOSS is a research-based science curriculum for grades K-8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley.  The program’s goal is to teach important science concepts by engaging students in inquiry investigations and hands-on activities.  Visit the FOSS website at http://www.fossweb.com/ to find out more about FOSS and the topics covered by specific kits.

Jefferson students have been engaged in science investigations and discovery all over the building this fall. Here is a sampling of some of the topics our students are investigating:  
· Kindergarteners have been using their scientific skills of observation and comparison as they study the science of paper and paper making.  
· First graders in Mrs. Seker’s classroom have investigated balance and motion, while Mrs. Dauble’s class has been studying the differences between pebbles, sand and silt and the weathering process.  
· Second graders are busy caring for mealworms, milkweed bugs and caterpillars as they compare the lifecycles and structures of insects. They also had a visit from the OSU Insect Zoo this month.  
· Third graders began their study of geology by analyzing “mock rocks” and seeing that rocks can be made from both visible things (grains of sand) as well as microscopic things (crystals).  
· Fourth graders learning about the solar system and astronomy were fortunate to have a speaker from Heart of the Valley Astronomers club. Unfortunately a star gazing party was cancelled due to clouds, but will hopefully be rescheduled in the spring.  
· Fifth graders have been experimenting with stream tables as they learn about erosion and land forms.  Be sure to ask your students about the science investigations they are doing at school. 

If you have any questions about the science program at Jefferson or the FOSS Kits, please feel free to contact me at Lisa.Frothingham@corvallis.k12.or.us.

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