Enjoying 'Earth Jam' at Bissell Park
Kites, crafts, clouds and constellations were just a few highlights of the Linden Earth Jam Field Trip around the Oak Ridge Civic Center.
The field trip was for Linden Elementary School students. Students traveled by grade level to five different stations, each showcasing a different science activity.
At the first station, called Science of Stormwater Pollution, AmeriCorps volunteers with the city of Oak Ridge led an activity at the Pavilion explaining about water pollution and ways to prevent it. Students poured various liquids into a container. The liquids represented pollutants such as fertilizer, oil, soap suds from washing cars, and even pet waste to show how all these types of pollution add up.
The second station, Science of Shadows, was held at the International Friendship Bell. Students built sundials using paper plates and pencils. They learned about shadows and how the Earth’s rotation on its axis and around the sun helps create them.
At the third station, Science of Kite Flying, students worked out in A.K. Bissell Park in groups of four to build and create kites. They learned about the four forces of flight: lift, thrust, drag and weight. At the end of the event, the students ran around flying their kites.
At the fourth station, Science of Clouds, students learned about types of clouds. They created cotton clouds, watched a demonstration of a cloud forming, and used viewers to identify clouds in the sky in Bissell Park.
At the fifth station, Science of Astronomy, students added constellations they'd drawn to five handmade planetariums in the Civic Center gym.
"We're a STEM-certified school," Linden librarian Traci Magee who led the planetarium activity, said, referring to a certification for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. "It's nice being able to have a whole day just to do STEM."
She explained the event was for Earth Day, although it occurred a week later than the actual day.
Ben Pounds is a staff reporter for The Oak Ridger. Call him at (865) 441-2317, email him at bpounds@oakridger.com and follow him on Twitter @Bpoundsjournal.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: 'Earth Jam' elementary school science activities in A.K. Bissell Park
