What's Happening in Fourth Grade 

Waves

The fourth-grade students have recently begun studying waves. They quickly learned that waves are the movement of energy, not matter. To better understand this concept, the students conducted a hands-on experiment to observe how waves affect objects. They discovered that waves transport energy from one location to another, rather than transporting matter. Excellent work by the young scientists! 

Electric Currents

This month, the fourth-grade scientists continued their study of electric circuits. The students learned that for electricity to flow, a circuit must be closed. Some materials, known as conductors, allow electricity to flow easily, while others, called insulators, prevent it from flowing. The students then experimented with different materials to create intricate circuits, demonstrating that energy can be transferred from one place to another, generating sound, light, and heat using electric currents. Finally, the girls visited the Rosary campus, where they observed a live Anatomy and Physiology class. Dr. Martin welcomed them to her classroom and, along with the high school students, led an engaging and hands-on presentation about the organs, muscles, and bones of the human body, using Sacred Heart's synthetic cadaver. The girls worked in small groups, exploring textbooks and interactive models of the body, heart, and eye.

Circuits, Energy Transformation Stations, and a STEM Challenge

The fourth-grade students kicked off the month with a hands-on exploration of open and closed circuits. They then participated in five stations where they learned how energy transforms from one form to another. Finally, in an exciting 18-minute challenge, the fourth-grade girls were tasked with building the tallest free-standing structure using 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one pom-pom. The teams collaborated, communicated effectively, and demonstrated patience as they overcame various obstacles. This engaging experience taught them valuable life skills and left them feeling accomplished!

Why is wearing a seatbelt important?

This month, the 4th-grade girls are continuing to develop an understanding of how an object's speed relates to its energy. They read scientific articles and participated in centers to gather evidence supporting the claim that seatbelts are essential for protecting people in a collision. 

When two vehicles collide, they transfer energy to each other. A fast-moving car has more kinetic energy when it collides with another vehicle. Therefore, when fast-moving cars collide, more energy is transferred, resulting in greater damage. The girls learned that as passengers, our bodies tend to continue moving forward even after a collision takes place. The role of a seatbelt is to provide the force that stops our bodies from moving forward.

The 4th-grade scientists learned why it is crucial to buckle your seatbelt when getting into a car. It's all about safety and science! Outstanding work, scientists!

What Happens When Objects Collide?

If energy cannot be created or destroyed, what happens to energy when objects collide? Fourth-grade scientists have been gathering evidence to understand how energy changes during a collision. They have asked questions and made predictions about these energy changes. The students have explored how speed and ramp height affect energy transfer during a collision through experiments, videos, articles, and vocabulary studies. This month, the fourth-grade girls discovered that when two objects collide, they exchange energy, which can either be transferred or transformed. Great job, scientists!

Exploring Energy

This month, the fourth-grade girls continued their study of energy. They researched various types of energy, including chemical, mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound energy. The girls defined each type, providing both examples and non-examples for clarity. They participated in energy stations that encouraged hands-on exploration and teamwork, enhancing their understanding.

Scientific Diagrams

Welcome to 4th-grade science! This month, the students started by completing a "Science About Me" notebook entry. They researched the phase of the moon that occurred on the day they were born, measured their heights in centimeters, recorded their favorite science topics, and illustrated their preferred uses of electricity, among other activities. 

Additionally, the girls selected a scientific object to explore and document. After examining their object, they created a detailed diagram following the ABCD guidelines (Accurate, Big, Colorful, Detailed). The young scientists took notes on their observations and labeled their scientific drawings. They documented their findings as scientists using the ABCD method. Great job, 4th grade!