By: Lucy Chapman

The 7th grade science class made an ecosystem art project from April 24th- May 9th. Students were given lots of materials to work on this project such as: clay, rocks, shells, fake moss, sand, etc.

7th grader Lilly Baker says, “I enjoyed this project because it was hands-on and we weren’t just sitting around and taking notes.” Through this project, kids got to be creative with their ideas. This helped students learn more about ecosystems, biotic factors, and abiotic factors. Lilly says, “In the art part of the project, we learned how to add different textures and layering with the clay to make it stand out.” She also says, “This project was pretty easy, but also hard because we had to include biotic factors, abiotic factors, animals, and other things.” This project took about 2 weeks for the students to complete. Mrs. Stone, a professional artist that works with kids and SmartARTS, came in to help the students with their projects.

Make sure to stop by the 7th grade science classes to check out the ecosystem projects!

By: Eva Thurman

All through the month of May, there is a variety of testing. The testing includes math, science, social studies, writing, and reading. All students will be testing with their C3 teacher.

Many students have different views about the state wide testing. League Academy seventh grader English Rabideaux said “I don’t like testing because it is very boring.” Another League Academy seventh grader Mercedes Santerini said “I think we should do testing because our future schools know what we have accomplished.” Some students also see testing as a sign the the school year is coming to an end while others just see it as another test.

Testing will last around a month. Students will get around an average of 2 hours on there test. After the testing day is over students can enjoy time outside.

7-4 Students Create Tiny Ecosystems for SmartArts Project

By Lilly Baker

Science classes on team 7-4 will start a SmartARTS project with Mrs. Jess Stone after Spring Break. It will last about three weeks on and off. In the science classrooms, each student will be making tiny ecosystems. They will be doing their project during the unit of ecology. They will be making these projects, not only to learn about ecology, but to show their smarts creatively.

Thinking that test and projects are both equally helpful, 7th grade science teacher, Mrs. McCarrell, states that “ For some students it’s easier taking test or it’s easier making projects. It depends on the student. Some are good at tests and some aren't. Some love to make projects and some don’t. For me, I like both”. Thinking that test should be band, 7th grader Grace Taylor thinks, “ Projects are easier because it gives students a way to show their creativity. Taking test, you just memorize stuff that isn’t useful, then you forget it. But I think I will learn a lot from this project and you will need to know the material if you want to pass the class.”

Almost every 7th grade can agree that projects are easier. For starting the project, they will be using and needing a lot of materials. Some of those include, grass, trees, sand, rocks, clay, animals, things like that. Jess Stone will be helping them with the clay and putting it all together. Mrs. McCarrell and Miss Taylor think that projects are more interactive and they get better grades because it is “Way more fun!”

By Thomas Willmot & Charlie Bell

Have you ever wanted animals to crawl around your science classroom? Well here is your chance with the Greenville Zoomobile! This program allows boys and girls of all ages to interact and learn about animals in 7th grade science on April 4th. Mrs. McCarrell says, “It’s cool to see living things that we don’t usually get to see.”

7th graders will learn the topic of genetics and ecology in their next unit in reference to captive animals in a zoo setting. Specifically, students will investigate the roles of the Species Survival Plan, or SSPs, in modern zoos today. Students will also explore why the knowledge of genetics is important for the conservation and preservation of wild populations. (According to https://greenvillezoo.com/257/Middle-School.) According to Mrs. McCarrell, “We thought that this would give a first hand view of ecology.” Ecology is 7th grade’s next unit. This Zoomobile has a lot of animals, and these animals are bringing students a first-hand learning experience.