This Week in the Lab 2014-15
Here you will find recent pictures and descriptions of programs taking place in the lab.
Engineering at TOAST
Our 5th and 6th grade scholars were asked to build a straw structure that
can support 100 grams. Teamwork, problem solving, and fun.
Everyone was engaged and on task for this challenge!
10th Annual JR SCIENCE EXPO
Here is one of our first grade entries...nice job!
This years projects included the moon, the solar system, leaves, frogs, simple machines and more!
We had over 26 entries this year.
Watersheds
Scholars learned about watersheds and basins. (We live in the lower Hudson River Basin)
Creating topographical maps, students were able to identify basins, divides, potential snow-caps, mountain passes, streams, waterfalls, and so on.
Also, scholars now understand how pollution on the top
of a mountain can easily make its way to the basin which pollutes our drinking water!!!
Re-Purposing the Water
Watering our plants using the rain barrel.
We collect rainwater from the roof, store it in this
barrel and use it when we need to.
Thanks PTA!
These Scholars Have
GREEN THUMBS!
Stop by the Science lab and
pick up a permission slip.
COMPOSTING
Returning our food and garden wastes back to the garden as soil using our compost bin.
Vocabulary List
Learning new words that go along with our new scientific ideas and concepts.
APRIL 17 BIRD-WATCH
It was a rainy morning and a light turnout but we had fun and we saw a few birds.
JOSEPH HENRY SCIENCE FAIR
Here is one of our projects that went on to
represent TOAST at the city-wide science fair.
Nice job!
JOSEPH HENRY SCIENCE FAIR
Here is one of our projects that went on to
represent TOAST at the city-wide science fair.
Nice job!
UP, UP and AWAY
In line with our unit, IN THE AIR,
TOAST scholars learned about our atmosphere and completed a fun activity choosing which activities take place in which layer.
Choose Your Beak
Which beak will work the best for the food that you eat.
We learned about ADAPTATIONS.
OBSERVATIONS
Look carefully at the coins and describe what you see.
Scientists use tools to help them learn.
The Making o' the Green!
Today we used capillary action as we turned a
white carnation into a green carnation.
Today we used capillary action as we turned a
white carnation into a green carnation.
The Lunar Cycle
Full Moon this month takes place on
Thursday March 5, 2015.
Five Rivers is having a Full Moon
Snowshoe Walk at 7:30pm that night.
X-COUNTRY SKIING
Cross country skis are great for using around Albany. Washington Park, the golf course, the plaza...any flat, snow covered surface. Scholars learned about friction.
Alpine Skiing
Also called Downhill Skiing, these are used for going down a mountain.
Gravity will help you down the mountain...be careful!
TOAST Science Fair for
Grades 4-5-6
March 12 is right around the corner. Stay after school with Mr. Flynn and meet with him during the day for extra help.
Did you miss,
WEAR YOUR SNOWSHOES TO WORK DAY
I'm kidding! But I did walk to work with my snowshoes one Tuesday in February. TOAST students learned about this fun winter sport.
WEAR YOUR SNOWSHOES TO WORK DAY
I'm kidding! But I did walk to work with my snowshoes one Tuesday in February. TOAST students learned about this fun winter sport.
DATA TABLE
Let car 'A and B' roll down the ramp. Record the distance they travel. Record this DATA onto a Data Table. Scientist test things all the time!
Graphing Your Data
Your data looks good. Now make a bar graph to display this data.
VORTEX CANON
Shoot compressed air at target trying to knock down the cups.
Make one at home!
IN THE AIR
Look for programs on birds and feathers, gravity,
cloud and snowflake identification, balance,
layers of the atmosphere, the moon, constellations
and the milky way galaxy, and so on.....
The Big Chill
Demonstrating wind speed and temperature
and how to use a thermometer. Be careful on
those days with very cold temperatures.
Scan This!
Our Green Team took pictures of 3 trees
and attached QR Codes to them. We call this the
DIgital Field Guide. Find the trees and scan them to find out more info.
ACID RAIN
Is acid rain affecting lakes in New York? Scholars learned about the pH scale and how acid rain affects nature. Students then tested 'lakes' in the lab to see if they were healthy.
Is acid rain affecting lakes in New York? Scholars learned about the pH scale and how acid rain affects nature. Students then tested 'lakes' in the lab to see if they were healthy.
Spice Up Your Life
TOAST scholars learned where all of the great holiday flavors come from. You know...cookies, gingerbread men, egg-nog and the rest.
Students touched and smelled real ginger root, nutmeg seeds, vanilla bean, sugar in the raw (from the stem), and cinnamon bark.
Using a mortar, they also took a try at grinding down some nutmeg.
Spice Up Your Life
TOAST scholars learned where all of the great holiday flavors come from. You know...cookies, gingerbread men, egg-nog and the rest.
Students touched and smelled real ginger root, nutmeg seeds, vanilla bean, sugar in the raw (from the stem), and cinnamon bark.
Using a mortar, they also took a try at grinding down some nutmeg.
LIGHT A LIGHT!
During this darkest time of year,
(DEC 21 is the day w/ the least amount of daylight)
TOAST scholars learn about light.
From candles to lasers, we explore the science behind the
celebrations of light.
Scope It Out
Sixth graders practicing their Microscopy skills. They will be ready when they move on next year.
JR LEGO THINK TANK
Our LEGO scholars chose the telescope to research and they made a working model out ot LEGOs.
JR LEGO THINK TANK
Our LEGO scholars chose the telescope to research and they made a working model out ot LEGOs.
REPEL
Scholars showing magnetic "repulsion".
Like poles repel or push away!
FOCUS ON NATURE
We took several TOAST scholars over to the NY State Museum to veiw the art/science exhibit called, "Focus On Nature."
ATTRACTION
Scholars showing magnetic attraction.
Opposite poles attract!
Onion Cell Lab
This week grades 4, 5 and 6
used compound and dissecting microscopes.
Predict the Snowfall
It's not to late to predict the snowfall
total for the winter season.
The scholar with the closest guess will win this cool science kit!
HAPPY
THANKSGIVING
Using many great artifacts, our TOAST scholars learned all about wild turkeys and farm turkeys.
Hey Albany. GOT SNOW?
No ... but Buffalo does.
While Albany received a dusting, Buffalo NY got over 7 feet of snow.
Come to the science lab and make an official snowfall prediction for this winter.
No ... but Buffalo does.
While Albany received a dusting, Buffalo NY got over 7 feet of snow.
Come to the science lab and make an official snowfall prediction for this winter.
TULIP BULBS
We planted the rest of our tulip bulbs!!!
(225 bulbs to be exact)
Go the to Journey North Web site to learn about the
planting experiment that we are involved in.
MICROSCOPES
TOAST has 21 high quality microscopes for our scholars to use.
GOT VOLTS?
Measuring energy of a 6 volt battery as we prepare for circuit and motor lab.
Color Theory
Scholars learning about color
and getting to blend together
two
or more colors.
GRAVITY
Continuing with our theme, I present the force that keeps us, "ON THE GROUND."
We learned about pushes and pulls, including a famous force known as gravity.
Gravity affects mass differently depending
on where you are in the solar system.
SEEDS INSIDE
(angiosperms)
Average number of seeds inside our test pumpkins...467!!!
(November 3, 2014)
Periodic Humor
Even scientists like to have fun.
'Cute' science joke!
PUMPKIN
OBSERVATION
Measure mass, diameter, circumference
and height using the right tools.
(10-25-2014)
LEGO AFTERSCHOOL
OBSERVATION
Measure mass, diameter, circumference
and height using the right tools.
(10-25-2014)
LEGO AFTERSCHOOL
MR. FLYNN ROCKS?
We said goodbye to our first unit,TOAST ROCKS, by playing a bit of Rock and Roll.
Sandstone and Fossils
(cookies and chocolate chips)
Practicing to be paleontologists, TOAST scholars carefully dig fossils
from the sandstone.
(Yes...you're right. They are cookies. Shh...)
TREES PLEASE
Using technology, students are researching Native New York
Trees near TOAST.
Eclipse
If you missed the full Lunar Eclipse last week, you will get to experience the partial Solar Eclipse on October 23, 2014.
Remember, don't look at this without a filter.
(We made a pin-hole projector and a mylar filter.)
OMG...We had so much fun!
Who came to Museum Night?
We had a great time learning new science concepts
and having fun.
Praying Mantis
For the second year in a row, we have been seeing many of these wonderful insects around our school.
How Old is Your Tree?
TOAST Scholars counted tree rings to
find out how old their samples were.
Would you like to be a Dendrochronologist.
Never Stop Questioning
At TOAST, we are always asking questions and looking for answers.
The quote on the sign is by famous scientist, Carl Sagan.
At TOAST, we are always asking questions and looking for answers.
The quote on the sign is by famous scientist, Carl Sagan.
ONE FOR ALL
Scholars from grade 5 try to solve the world's natural resource problem. Each student is a country but not each country is
playing "fair". The colored chips represent a
renewable resource, such as trees or fish.
Students decide how to use them
or ...just let them go extinct!!!
Carl Sagan
Who was Carl Sagan? Carl Sagan was a very important astronomer,writer,
astro-physicist and teacher.
Rock On
Visit the TOAST Rock Park and learn about
New York State rocks and fossils.
During our first theme, each TOAST
scholar went on a tour of the park.
Digital Field Guide
4th grade Green Team is working on a project using science and technology. Select TOAST trees will have QR Codes
...stay tuned! Go to drop down menu to see their page.
SOIL OBSERVATION
Taking a closer look at soil found in the
courtyard v. potting soil.
GARDEN CLUB
It's time to harvest and put the gardens to rest for the winter. Come on out and get some dirt under your finger nails!!! (9-11-14)
The Museum Room
We moved the Museum Room
down a few doors.
Stop by to check out the new design.
(9-15-14)
Front Hall Lobby Display Cases
Cafeteria Show Case
Look at the new TOAST ROCKS Show Case the next time you go to lunch.
Did you see the small sample of copper?
We all know that TOAST ROCKS!!!
Here are a few cool t-shirts that our TOASTers have been wearing.
TOAST ROCKS
One of our
TOAST ROCKERS
wearing
his new
rocking sweatshirt.