Park Road Elementary Science Action
Instructions and Materials for K-3 PRE Science Action Labs
Instructions and Materials for K-3 PRE Science Action Labs
Science Action is a set of standards-based, parent-led science labs that give children an opportunity for supported, hands-on science learning and gives parents the chance to see their student’s class in action.
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Science Action at PRE is a program of the Pittsford PTSA at Park Road.
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The history of Science Action at PRE is lost to the sands of time. It is clear however, that the groundwork for today's labs was laid by an amazing group of PTSA members and parent-educators.
Parent Science Action Lab Volunteers (4-5 per lab): Parents help facilitate the lab for their child's class. Four to five parents are needed per lab. Lab volunteers are expected to (a) commit 1 hour of their time on the appointed lab day, (b) familiarize themselves with the lab instructions prior to the lab (approximately 15 to 30 minutes), (c) lead small group activities during the lab and help in preparation and cleanup as needed, and (d) model scientific curiosity, enthusiasm, and kindness during lab activities.
Grade-Level Science Action Coordinators (1 per grade): Grade-level coordinators a) communicate with Parent Lab Volunteers, b) ensure each class and lab has a Parent Lab Lead (this is usually but not always the Grade-Level Coordinator) for all three classes in the grade-level, and c) help distribute lab instructions, materials, and answer parent questions.
Parent Lab Lead (1 per lab): Each lab needs one person to serve as the main "teacher" of the lesson. This is usually, but not always, the Grade-Level Coordinator. See individual lab instructions for more information on this role as it varies for each lab.
School-Level Science Action Coordinator: The school coordinator (a) communicates with teachers to schedule Science Action labs, (b) coordinates Parent Lab Volunteer sign-ups, (c) organizes and replenishes all Science Action lab materials including photocopies of handouts, (d) provides Grade-Level Coordinators with materials and assistance as needed.
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Learn about the differences between evergreen and deciduous trees,
Discover the basic parts of a tree and learn what each does,
Discuss what trees need in order to grow,
Count growth rings to estimate tree age, and
Discover the many ways in which trees are used.
Bubbles Lab is traditionally held in June.
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Discover that it takes air and soap (glycerin) to make bubbles;
Learn that air is lighter than water, but not everything is; and
Discover what happens when you try to make differently-shaped bubbles.
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Explore the relationship between heat and temperature using thermometers;
Relate the numbers on a thermometer to hotter or colder temperatures; and
Observe how temperature can be subjective.
The Thermometers lab is traditionally conducted in January/February.
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Discover the importance of plants.
Explore what plants need to grow.
Discuss the different ways to propagate plants.
Learn the roles of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit of a plant.
Make a "Plantenstein" using plants that exhibit different types of propagation.
April, traditionally
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Observe how water can affect the stability and shape of the land,
Design a way to protect human structures on land from water erosion, and
Test the effectiveness of their designs to prevent water from weathering and eroding the land near structures.
January/February, traditionally
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Discover what germs are and how they spread,
Discover how germs enter the body,
Identify ways to avoid catching and spreading germs, and
Explore what a scab is and why our bodies make them.
During this Science Action lab, students will have fun interacting with parents and:
Use indicators to discover which household substances ore acid, base, or neutral;
Explore the meaning of the pH scale;
Learn about the use of red cabbage juice as an indicator; and
Discover how to neutralize an acid.
See the great Thornell Road School Science Action Resources!
See FAQs
Or contact the 2020-21 School-Level Coordinator Jane at jane.calamity@gmail.com to get more information on Science Action at PRE.