A Word From the Principal of the Year- Lauren Evans

 

Lauren Evans from Asheville Primary School was named Principal of the Year. Read what she had to say about High Touch High Tech of WNC.

 

 

 

 

10/8/2019

 

To Whom It May Concern:

Asheville Primary School is a public Montessori that services students PreK-3rd grade. Our educational model promotes student centered practices and hands-on experiences. High Touch and High Tech (HTHT) is an excellent accompaniment to our curriculum. Montessori encourages students to research non-fiction topics that are of interest to them. HTHT supports student interests in science and aligns with NC standards. All of our classrooms have had at least 3 “going-outs” with HTHT. A “going-out” is the Montessori equivalent of a field trip. The scientists have been absolutely amazing. Teachers and students have given very positive feedback regarding their experiences with HTHT. The HTHT scientists demonstrate the ability to be flexible and to meet the needs of each classroom. We have chosen to partner with HTHT again as a result of the consistent positive experiences they have provided our children. HTHT encourages student exploration and problem solving. This is the heart of our program. We are grateful to have a community organization that supports the curiosity of children! I highly recommend HTHT to schools that seek to support rigorous and joyful student-centered experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Touch High Tech

ScienceMadeFunWNC.net

828.984.3192

“Meteor Martin” Lets Hear It From A Scientist!

“Meteor Martin” Lets Hear It From A Scientist!

 

 

Hello Scientists, this is “Meteor” Martin and I hope that everyone had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.  The past week has been loaded with fun and exciting lessons which included; Cosmic Capers, Invisible Forces, Mystery Science, DNA is Here to Stay, Edison’s Workshop, Forced to Change and finally, Eco Safari.

We first traveled to outer space at Lafayette Elementary and learned about Planets, Stars, Dwarf Planets and other small solar system bodies.  The students were able to make their own sundials as well as study and build a glowing constellation.  We then made glow in the dark “space mud” with the help of a special ingredient and finally everyone had an opportunity to make a comet to show off to their parents

Our next stop was at Sterling Montessori where we learned about invisible forces such as Magnetism, Gravity and Inertia.  We explored how and why magnetism works and were able to see and feel a magnetic field with the help of some strong magnets.  The children also made hover disks that could glide on the floor on a cushion of air.  Our next experiment involved taking a closer look at inertia and how objects at rest will stay at rest and objects in motion will stay in motion as we had a picnic and attempted to pull out a table cloth from underneath at various speeds while observing the results.

We spent some time with the after-school children at Sanford Creek as the kids took a closer look into the mystery of science and how we can make a penny appear and disappear with the help of refracting light.  They also poked holes into a water filled bag with little to no water escaping.  Is it Magic or Science???

At Greensboro Academy, we learned about DNA and had the opportunity to fingerprint each child.  We then talked about genes and traits and took a closer look at why some children could roll their tongue and others could not.  Next, we were able to see a 3D picture of a DNA Strand as well a make an edible double helix.  Our final experiment involved extracting the DNA out of a strawberry.  The kids loved using different chemicals in order to make the special solution.

We then had a lesson at Franklin Academy where we took a closer look at Thomas Edison and discussed and demonstrated how static and current electricity work.  The children were then able to “touch” lightning with the help of a lightning globe and then made their very own electroscope, which takes static electricity and is able to turn it into current electricity.  Finally, we took a closer look at the stored energy within a battery and how we were able to use them to power a light bulb and school bell.

Lafayette elementary then had us back with the 5th graders this time to teach and demonstrate lessons involving the Three Laws of Motion by Sir Isaac Newton.  The children participated in several experiments looking at inertia with the table cloth pull, chip flip, and clothes pin drop.  Next, everyone had a chance to test the 2nd law of motion by walking with a bag of beans and letting it go at various speeds in order to observe acceleration and mass.  They were then able to “feel” Newton’s 3rd law by standing on a rotating platform and using a gyroscope that would move the children left or right depending on the direction the gyroscope was moved.

Our Final destination for the week was Turner Elementary where we discussed the lesson Eco Safari.  The children were able to talk about, explore, and build their very own rain forest ecosystem starting with the forest floor then moving up to the under-story, then the canopy and finished with the emergent layer.  The children then continued their lesson by learning about different aquatic ecosystems including ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans.  They were then able to make a very realistic corral reef to take home.

As you can see, we were very busy this past week or so and covered many different and exciting topics including Outer Space, Magnetism, Gravity, Inertia, DNA, Electricity, Motion and Ecosystems.

I can’t wait until next week!!!

“Meteor Martin” Lets Hear It From A Scientist!

 

Hello Scientist.  The is “Meteor” Martin and we have had a fun and wonderful week working with the children at Wild Wood, Thales of Wake Forest, and Pleasant Grove Elementary Schools.  Our lessons this week were “Sounds Like Fun” and “What’s the Matter”.

 

 

Sounds like Fun began with a discussion as to what Sound is and where it comes from.  We discussed sound waves and how they travel and were able to SEE a sound wave and make different frequencies with the help of an oldie but goodie, the Slinky.  I was then able to prove that sound comes from vibrations as each child was able to tap and listen to a tuning fork.  Next, we covered how we hear with our ears and everyone made using a device that mimicked our ear using a cup as our ear canal, plastic wrap for the ear drum and salt was used in place of the ossicles ( hammer, anvil and stirrup).   We then banged the tuning fork and put it near the cup so that we could see how the vibrations traveled from the fork down our ear and eventually makes it to our brain.  We were also able to also make roaring cups that amplified sound from a string and finally made music with a rubber band and plastic container.  The children loved each and every activity.

 

 

 

 

 

With What’s the Matter, we spoke about the three main states of matter (Solid, Liquid and Gas) the properties of each and what makes one different from the other.  We also went over evaporation and condensation with our first experiment testing the volatility of three different liquids.  The children were able to observe and communicate what the noticed and how one liquid will evaporate quicker than another.  Our second experiment focused on the cohesion and adhesion of water molecules as the kids were able to “pull” water around a track from start to finish using a Popsicle stick with the water bubble staying intact.  Finally, we introduced what a chemical change is and how it differs from a physical change as we made a polymer using glue, water and borax.

Asheville City Schools Foundation

High Touch High Tech of Western North Carolina received this wonderful note from Asheville City School’s, Development Director, Erica Bell.

The note reads:

“When we give cheerfull and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” -Maya Angelou

Dear Dan,

Thank you for your generous sponsorship of Celebration. You have shown incredible commitment to ACS students. This quote reminded me of you and how much you’ve given cheerfully.

Thank You,

Erica B.

High Touch High Tech uses Safe, Non-Toxic, Everyday Materials in All Experiments!

 

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Recently, in the news, we have heard about a couple of science experiments “gone wrong”. During a science demonstration at the Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum in Reno, Nevada one of their routine science experiments turned drastic when a methyl alcohol and boric acid mixture was used during an exhibition known as the “fire tornado” to create a whirling effect. The experiment went horribly wrong when the alcohol was added at the inappropriate time and caused an explosion and a plume of fire. The fire reached the students that were observing the experiment and they suffered burns on their legs, arms, toes, and faces. 

Chairperson, Rafael Moure-Eraso  of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued a warning against the use of methanol during laboratory and classroom combustion demonstrations. The warning states:

Today I am calling on all schools, museums, and science educators to discontinue any use of bulk methanol—or other similar flammables—in lab demonstrations that involve combustion, open flames, or ignition sources. There are safer alternative ways to demonstrate the same scientific phenomena, and many teachers are already using them. Any use of methanol or other flammables should be either avoided completely or restricted to minimal amounts, which have been safely dispensed at remote locations. Bulk containers of flammable liquids must never be positioned or handled near viewing audiences, especially when there are potential ignition sources present.”

High Touch High Tech would like to let all their friends, teachers, parents, and students know that we only use safe, non-toxic, everyday materials and chemicals in all of our experiments! The safety of our students, teachers, parents and schools is our top priority!

To learn more about our programs or to reserve an in-school field trip for your school, visit us online at www.ScienceMadeFun.net

For FUN at home experiments, science jokes & trivia as well as educational science games, visit our KIDS website at www.ScienceMadeFunKIDS.net