Total Eclipse of the Class

Hello everyone,

I know it’s been four weeks since my last update, but the last time I was about to send this out, our team newsletter went out too, and I didn’t want to flood your inbox with emails! So here’s a fresh look at what’s been happening in our science classroom lately.

Where We Were

We recently wrapped up our exploration of solar and lunar eclipses and examined how atmospheric interactions cause the beautiful changes in color and light we see during those events. Students completed our Milky Water Lab, which modeled how particles in Earth’s atmosphere scatter light, helping them visualize why the sky looks blue and why sunsets and eclipses display those stunning red and orange hues.

Where We Are

Right now, we’re learning how scientists study space using the electromagnetic spectrum, focusing especially on visible light and infrared waves. Students have been connecting how tools like telescopes and satellites detect different types of light to help us understand objects in our solar system and beyond, even when we can’t see them with our own eyes.

Where We’re Going

Next, we’ll begin investigating orbits and gravity, specifically how gravity holds everything together, from keeping planets in orbit around the Sun to maintaining the structure of entire galaxies. This topic will help us connect all our previous learning about motion, light, and space into one big picture of how our universe works.

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.

Stay Gold,

Mr. Catwood