Scientific inquiry is an important element of the curriculum at ASB School. Science excites so many students for a variety of reasons. Several science programs allow these students to pursue their passion for science outside of the classroom.
The Science Parents sponsors a variety of activities for the budding scientist. They include Robotics, Bridge Building and our stellar hands-on Science Club for K-5th graders. Most activities partner with the Pacific Science Center to deliver an enhanced science curriculum and challenge the curiosity of children through inquiry based science. Middle school activities include the ASB Science Fair, which is part of the 6th and 7th grade curriculum, and the North Seattle Deanery Science Fair. These two science fairs provide students the opportunity to design, research and present a project utilizing the scientific method. Science parent volunteers assist these investigations as needed.
Contact: Anthony Fallarme
This beginning robotics program aims to provide the resources to our children who are interested in robotics. Offered in the Fall, this introduces our 4th graders to robotics by using the Lego RCX robotics system. This on-line format allows parent and child to learn robotics together for roughly 4 weeks. With ASB tutorials, the kids demo a robot for four Fridays at school during recess time only. (5th grade program is in planning for Feb 2009.)
This program also supports competitions in the Lego League during December. Lego robots and technical advice are provided to teams with a parent volunteer and at least two kids. The Lego League is a great opportunity for our kids to compete with other kids their own age.
Contact: Alex Anderson
There are two sessions in which students learn the basics of the structural engineering of bridges. The highlight is the design/build competition to see whose bridge can hold the most weight. Look for more information in Spring 2010!
Science Club (Grades 1st-4th)
Contact: Lynn O'Connor or Elizabeth Kain
1st Grade: Check out Amazing Animals! Investigate the beasts and bugs from our fossilized past, living present, and even create your own specially adapted “futuristic” animal. Do you want to meet live insects, go hunting for fossils, and examine real animal skulls? You can—all in Amazing Animals!
2nd Grade: Discover your inner master chemist during Ooze and Ahs. Experiment with strange concoctions like Oobleck and Slime and find out what matter has to do with it. Put on your safety goggles and get ready to measure, pour and mix your way through some extraordinary reactions
3rd Grade: Rev up your energy ‘cause you are going to need it for Physics FUNdamentals! Join us as we build circuits, harvest the sun’s power and set up the ever-popular egg drop. This is science fun like you have never seen it, so get ready to test your knowledge of Physics FUNdamentals!
4th Grade: Get ready to peer into and take A Closer Look at life! Magnify your understanding of owl pellets, animal skulls and individual cells during this program. Use microscopes and other equipment to dissect, examine and probe organisms like you have never before!
