End of the Year??

Where did the time go? 
There's a lot of accomplishment that we have to be thankful for this year. We had new programs, lots of fun activities all year, and the sense of community that's built around working collaboratively in school.

But it's still hard to believe the school year is over!! Already new plans are being laid out for the next school year. One new change I'm really excited about is the addition or upgrade to the new EV3 robotic platform for the robotic competition team. Thanks to mentor Tom Devine, we were able to secure several small donations to be able to buy one kit. Can't wait to see how this new system works :)

By far, one of the most challenging science days we had this spring was the day of the kayaking adventure to Galveston Bay.  Sponsored by the Artist Boat organization, the day included water sampling, art, and kayaking. 

On what was undoubtedly the coldest, overcast day of the spring, the Middle School students headed out into the bay with wind gusts of over 30mph. The forecast had called for a warm, sunny day...NOT!! I was hopeful right up to the point when our feet touched the water...freezing!! 

But the kids were real troopers ( so were the moms who headed out with us) and we survived with funny stories I'm sure we'll all remember!!
Of course, as soon as we were packing up to leave, the sun came out and the water was calm again...doh!

Our annual science festival in April was a tremendous success!! The LEGO Education Showcase received high praise from everyone who attended. Court activities were so much fun, and the science projects, both individual and class, were amazing! Huge thanks to all of you who supported the event- it was one of the best ones we've had! 

Special thanks go out to Karen Cohen and the students from the College of Technology at the University of Houston who volunteered their time and energy!!

I leave you with images from the day and wish everyone a fun and safe summer :D

LABRATS Celebrate!

The LABRATS Robotics & Engineering team has made Redd School history! This dynamic team won the top Champions Award in the Qualifier matches back in Dec. We were thrilled to be able to move on to the Lone Star Championship games held this past weekend here in Houston. Our goal? - to best our own top score and have fun!

We accomplished both. But, as testimony to the work ethic and teamwork that this group of students has excelled in, they brought home 3 more trophies!! AND, finished 5th in their robot game out of 62 teams! High score 345. An unprecedented record for one season. 

Team Spirit Award, 3rd Place Innovative Solutions (research project), 

3rd Place Champions Award

A special assembly honored their achievement on Monday morning at school. And yes, that's me in the chicken costume. I had told the kids that if we finished in the top 3rd of the 62 teams, I would dress up in the chicken outfit (graciously given to me by former team member Alex P at the end of last year).

Thanks to all of you who have offered support and good wishes all year!!! This season of First Lego League competition is over...we're already talking about next year :D

Follow this link to see a movie from the competition!

Video credit: Fred Morales Design

What's the Weather TODAY???

If you look at the calendar, we SHOULD be having "winter". However, we seem to be setting records for unusually warm temperatures this year. Scary to think of what summer might bring!

I heard Mrs. G's 1st Graders were studying the water cycle so I thought I'd pop in to find out what these young experts could tell me about what's going on in the atmosphere.

An explanation of the types of clouds and what they can tell us.

I was impressed by their new knowledge and decided to "test" them by doing some first-hand observations. So, we went outside...luckily, we had a nice sky to look at!

What kinds of clouds are these ??

Of course, it's always a good idea to check with a reliable source. A NOAA cloud chart is a handy tool to carry on these outdoor excursions.

Was your answer right?

And it's always fun to find cloud shapes - can you see the camel??

Great job Mrs. G's class!! Keep looking up at the sky :)

On the way back to the lab, I stopped by Ms. Crow's room to see what her and the boys were up to.

As usual, the room was rocking...literally ! They were anxious to show off the sedimentary rocks they had just made as part of their geology studies. 

They had also studied minerals and later enjoyed observing the crystallization process as they made their own rock candy.

A potential future geologist in the class?? 

Well done 4th grade :)

  Who'll be in the news next time??? Check back soon!