MKA Eighth Grade Science Presentations Reach Infinity and Beyond

Have you ever wondered about the amount of heat released when burning different types of wood, the affect of air temperature on the frequency of a sound wave or the impact that adding sugar and salt to water has on its boiling point? Around MKA Middle School, this is the season for the annual Eighth Grade Science Projects, an endeavor that gets students researching the wonders of their universe and then presenting their findings to an audience of peers, faculty and parents during the week of March 4-8.

The projects began 9 weeks ago with a call to all future scientists: “Sunrise Research Corporation, a leading research corporation, needs individuals to complete the highest quality research covering a variety of topics for its clients, ranging from the government to private businesses.  As a new research associate, you have the opportunity to conduct independent scientific research on one of the clients’ topics that interests you.”  This fictitious company and assignment was designed to help students to develop the ability to set and reach goals, solve complex problems, complete challenging tasks critical to both personal and professional success, use and build upon science concepts that they learned in the past and apply the scientific process.

Benjamin Goodrich, Middle School Science Department Chair and Associate Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, explains the rationale behind the project: “Throughout the Middle School science program, students perform research as they experience the world of science first hand. Such efforts culminate with the Eighth Grade Science Project in which students conduct a quarter-long, independent, research project of their own design. Students apply the scientific process as they research to create a testable question, develop a hypothesis, design an experiment, collect and analyze data, and present their results and conclusions in written and oral presentations.”Furthermore, Goodrich explains: “The seeds of this eighth grade project are sown in fourth and fifth grade where students recently completed projects of their own using the same scientific process and presented their results and conclusions both in writing and orally.”In addition, the Eighth Grade Science Projects are a perfect segue to the MKA Upper School’s science program thatengages students in the process of science by introducing new laboratory methodology and technology to help students to become scientifically literateglobal citizens.

Eighth grader Christina Giersz never imagined that her love of music would translate into success in science, but that's what happened when she chose to explore the “Intensity of Sound in Different Rooms” as the topic for her Science Project.  Similarly, eighth grader Matt Rubenstein decided to study “The Effect of Pollution on Stream Erosion” based on a prior interest in the subject area. “Back in fourth grade, we did a similar project, and I found finding causes and effects of pollution important. Then, when I had to chose my science project topic, I thought it would be an enjoyable way to find out more about it during the process.”

Although the eighth grade presentations have now concluded, future MKA eighth graders are already planning and preparing to be next year’s Sunrise Research Corporation’s newest research associates.