THIS PAGE WAS ADAPTED FROM THE WONDERFUL MRS. TRACY TRIMPE’S SCIENCE SPOT. TRACY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR RESOURCES FOR STARTING A SCIENCE CLUB…
The Cedar Creek Science Club was organized to provide year round opportunities for students to explore science. Our science club consists of 6th through 8th grade students. Bimonthly, members participate in an activity, project, or volunteer activity related to science.
What is the Science Club?
Every week students (6th – 8th grades) have the chance to compete against each other in science related events. Many of these events challenge them to create a device that will accomplish a specific task, such as to protect an egg from breaking in the Egg Drop (pdf) or projects from the Junk Box Wars. Science Club members will also help in the spring with many environment projects in the community. In the future we hope the compete against other middle schools and bring the joys of science to local elementary schools. Our main goal is to..
- encourage young scientist to think scientifically and provide a means for students to be scientist by asking designing and building their own contraptions to test their hypothesis
- allow students ask questions about the latest SCIENCE NEWS and have intelligent discussions
- have FRIENDLY debates on science topics/experiment from class
- discuss their results from their at home science experiments
- enable student watch educational science videos
- provide a way for parents to connect with their child through science by helping with projects and at home science experiment
- promote socialization and collaboration with others as students learn the all important skill of teamwork and dialogue
- showcasing our wonderful accomplishments throughout the year in our PICTURE gallery which allows students to reminisce and share their experiences with their parents and others
What do you do each month? Every two weeks, Mrs. DuBose and Mrs. Milutinovic (science advisors)I choose an event (see the list on the Science Spot main page) and “advertise” on the school announcements and monthly calendar. Club members will be exposed to a scientific principle and then their job is to use the BRAINPOWER to create a design that will accomplish the required goal.
On the flip side, some of our events are based on a “build it-test it” format, such as Science Spot’s Junk Box Wars, which requires students to build the device WITHIN 1 hour. This type of event test students knowledge, ingenuity, cooperation, and ability to think fast. For this type of event, I provide the materials and go over the event rules. Members have time to create the device and practice. Once that time is up, the competition begins and all the devices are impounded. Students draw numbers (or I randomly select score sheets) to determine who goes first, second, and so on, then the competition begins! The winners are announced on the school announcements and we will list of winners in the Science Club “Hall of Fame”, an area by my classroom door.
We invite parents and grandparents to the competition. We would love a PARENTS vs KIDS DAY as parents have a chance to test their scientific skills and compete against the students. Parents and grandparents are a great source for helping hands! We ask for volunteers at each meeting, such as monitoring the groups during construction, checking devices prior to competition, and recording information on the score sheets during competition.
When do you hold Science Club events?
Science club meetings/competitions are scheduled EVERY OTHER THURSDAY each month
How do students join the club?
At the beginning of each year, we sent home a Science Club Newsletter (pdf) for students to share with their parents. The newsletter has a registration form that must be signed and returned by a specific deadline. Since many of the events are team events, we encourage students to find a friend or two to join the club with them.
What are the Science Club rules?
Good behavior is expected at all science club events. Behavior that puts the safety of others at risk results in the loss of science club privileges for the remainder of the year. Members with failing grades are considered ineligible until those grades improve.
Where do you get the money for club projects and activities?
This is our 1st year for science club. In order to have materials for the many projects we have planned we must FUNRAISE The money raised is used to buy materials for the projects, awards, and sponsor an annual field trip. Here are a few ideas:
- A one time fee of $5 dollars is required to join. This provides us with much needed start up money
To continue to get our pot to grow, here are some FUNdraisers for the future………..
- Dollar Drive is an easy fund raiser that makes people want to help! Club members ask family members and classmates to donate one dollar to the Science Club. To keep track of donations, each person receives a Thank You slip indicating the amount they donated!
- Another fun option is the Penny Vote. It basically goes like this. Get an idea – ugliest tie, worst hair style, best Halloween costume, or Kiss the Roach/Pig/Frog, then round up cooperating teachers to participate. The students vote on their favorite by placing pennies in jars during their lunch hours.
- Mrs. DuBose and Mrs. Milutinovic will also be writing grants and soliciting local businesses to fund our planned future project (butterfly garden, river study, or lab activity) or a museum field trip!
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