ALMOST FRESHMEN!

Hello everyone,

Wow! In just 2 weeks from now, our 8th grade Color Wars event will be concluded, and your student will be days away from becoming a 9th grade freshman in High School. Let that sink in! It feels so bittersweet with the end of the year so close. Although it is fast approaching, we are still hard at work for science class!

Below is an image of my updated photo wall. Each year, I take a photo of each class/section and put it on the wall. They're the Class of 2029. The last class of the 2020s!!

Where We Were

Within the past two weeks, we have been looking at the phenomenon of drought and flooding. Both of these severe weather events have increased in recent years. We've observed and analyzed data for six cities nationwide, plus Lancaster. Students have been thinking about how these events could be potentially related to human impact on the environment. We've discussed how burning fossil fuels can lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions that can cause an increase in global average annual temperatures (global warming). A strong emphasis on how global warming IS NOT climate change, but something that can LEAD to climate change, is made. This final unit prioritizes looking at how technology and other solutions can reduce human impact on the environment that has led to more recent warming, and looks to see how using Earth's resources, renewable/non-renewable, can be done in a sustainable way.

Where We Are

This week, students had their final standardized tests of the year, either Keystones or ELA/Math CDTs. Tomorrow (5/22), we will critically analyze how to communicate science concepts to the public in an accurate way. Then, we will start looking at what different communities around the country do to minimize excessive resource consumption and environmental impact, and discover their Community Resilience Plans.

Where We Are Going

Next week, we will have our final project of the year. Students will create a Community Resilience Plan for Lancaster, PA. The topic of the project will vary from class to class, but we'll focus on the biggest issues Lancaster has. For example, air quality! We recently ranked in a new report 22nd worst in the country in terms of air quality. One or more classes might want to cover this to create their Community Resilience Plan. This project will have many options for students to create something in their comfort zone. For example, they'll be able to do a newsletter, podcast, TikTok-style video, poster, infographic, and more. I hope to share some of these on my class Instagram and the final blog post of the year!

After we finish the project, the last week of school is going to be filled with a bunch of activities, including Color Wars! For Color Wars, we've had a really hot and sunny day one year and then a partly cloudy and cool day last year. Therefore, to plan ahead, think about having your student wear sunblock to school on June 3rd.

I believe Dr. Metzinger sent this message out to all families who might want them to bring sunblock into school: "If you would like to send in sunscreen with your son or daughter, please complete the two forms listed here- Non-Aerosol Topical Sunscreen Use Forms. Students will not be permitted to use any aerosol-type sunscreens at school. Completed forms and sunscreens can be dropped off at the main office or the nurse's office. Copies of the forms can also be found on the CV website."

I'm looking forward to Color Wars! I'm going to miss this group of students so much! I will have one final blog post update on June 4th. Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our science classroom! If you have any questions or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at curtis_catwood@conestogavalley.org. You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @classwithcatwood, where I share updates and snapshots of our exciting classroom activities.

Thank you,

Mr. Catwood