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School Happenings
Spring, 2010
Solar Cooker Update
Contributed by Amy Palmer
Well, the results are in! Congratulations to Lucas Jones who won our Solar Oven contest! On Energy Fair night, we took guesses as to how long it would take to cook carrot cake in our new solar oven (donated by VLT) on four different days spaced a month apart. The first date was March 17th, and it took 4.5 hours for it to cook. On April 15th, it took 3.5 hours. On May 17th it took 2 hours, and on June 15th it also took 2 hours. (*We cooked our last batch in a different spot because we cooked it at Lane's Island during field day.) Lucas guessed those exact times, so he will receive the next batch of yummy solar carrot cake. Honorable mentions go to Sue Dempster and Andrea Shane who both guessed 4.5, 3.0, 2.5, and 2.0.
Maybe Lucas will share with them!
Winter, 2010
(click on photos to enlarge)
Earth and Sky Winter Field Trip
Contributed by Paige Whittier, 5th grade teacher
Due to icy conditions in the woods, the students taking part in the 3-4-5 winter field trip stayed close to home, using the school grounds for their exploration. They focused on searching for animal tracks (and they found them!) and indicators of erosion in the snow and dirt.
Solar Cooker
Contributed by Amy Palmer, Middle School Science Teacher
The 7th and 8th grade science class is using the newly acquired solar cooker from VLT to study electromagnetic radiation, thermal energy, and the greenhouse effect. On March 17th, we made some delicious carrot cake, which took 4 and a half hours to cook. We are curious to see how long it will take to cook the same thing in April, May, and June. Our hypothesis is that it will take a shorter amount of time with the more direct sunlight in the upcoming months.
But how much shorter? Is solar cooking a feasible option in Maine? We will also be relating this small-scale model of the greenhouse effect to our planet's greenhouse effect. How are they the same? How are they different? What affects how hot the solar cooker gets? What affects how hot the planet gets? Thank you VLT for this great hands-on opportunity!!
Tanglewood
Contributed by Amy Palmer, Middle School Science Teacher
The 7th graders went on an overnight to Tanglewood February 9 and 10 to learn about winter ecology. Tanglewood is quite a different place in the winter. First of all, the bus had to drop us off a mile away from our cabins, but we came prepared with sleds to tote our gear.
After we moved in, we were able to explore the quiet winter wonderland there. We tracked river otters, coyotes, snowshoe hares, deer, and each other. We learned how to use snowshoes. We found crystal clear river ice. We had sled tugging competitions. We learned how animals conserve thermal energy and had a contest to see who could build a shelter that would keep a jello "animal" alive. And of course we found a great sledding hill, and enjoyed gravity until we were too tired to walk back up to the top.
Fall, 2009
Trips to Baxter State Park, Grades 3-4-5 on Vinalhaven Land Trust trails, and Fox Rocks and the Wind Tower site
8th Grade trip to Baxter State Park
Contributed by Amy Palmer, Middle School Science Teacher
The 8th graders went to Baxter State Park September 28 – October 2, and learned many things along the way. We learned that Mt. Katahdin has its own weather system, that it can snow on the first day of October at 3,000 feet, and that there is a lot of work that goes into preventing erosion on the trails.
We also learned that there are different trees up there, and that the higher you go in elevation, the smaller the trees get. We learned that fall is a beautiful time to go hike at Baxter. We learned that hiking past timberline is worth the views! (But it’s cold up there.) We learned that streams coming down off the mountain are beautiful—and refreshing when you jump in them! And we learned that bears are smart, but it’s a shame when they get a taste of people food because then they become problem bears. It was really exciting to see two curious bear cubs! But it was a little nerve-wracking knowing mama must have been nearby! Thank you, VLT for this wonderful opportunity! We had a great time!!
Grades 3,4,5 Hike the Trails
Contributed by Heather White, Elementary School Teacher
Click on any of these pictures for a larger view.
As part of the science curriculum for the past 7 years, students on the 3.4.5 team have gone out on various Vinalhaven Land Trust trails. Students explore the trails and make observations throughout the changing seasons. For our first hike of the school year, students hit the trails this past September 24th.
One group went to Fox Rocks with Heather White, Stormy Dyer led a group on the Huber Preserve (a Maine Coast Heritage Trust preserve), and a third group hiked with Paige Whittier on the Scudder Preserve Trail.
Our theme for the 09-10 school-year is “Earth & Sky.” This first trip’s main focus was wind and clouds. We could not have asked for better weather. There were plenty of clouds, tons of wind, and you could see the wind towers from every trail! While out on the trail students categorized clouds into cumulus, cirrus, and stratus. It was amazing that they were all out there, just hanging around in the sky. Students also created mini wind vanes to help determine the wind direction (northwest). On the Scudder trail one parent had a great idea to use bits of twigs & leaves to help the wind vanes work even better. It was also pretty neat that we could all see and sketch the wind turbines from all three trails. Some of the students hadn’t even laid eyes on them yet, and they were practically speechless. It was a great day for a hike, and we can’t wait for our next hike when the snow flies!
These hikes are an integral part of the curriculum for these grades. Students and teachers look forward to heading out on the trails each season to see what has changed since the last time they passed through, to reconnect with some friends in other grades, and to spend time with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors who come along on these adventures. Each trip is a valuable learning opportunity that is comprised of science content and process skills, making observations, creative writing, and often times, corny jokes! Working on the trails is the perfect way to bring science to life and to allow students to see up-close & personal what is really happening out there!
Wind Power Tour and Fox Rocks Hike
Contributed by Jud Raven, High School History Teacher
On a breezy Wednesday morning, the 23rd of September, the entire Vinalhaven High School Team boarded the bus for the short drive to the site of the Fox Island Wind Project. The visit took place to support the high school Physics and Earth Science curriculums taught by Meg Lyons. The juniors and seniors began with a tour of the wind power site while the freshmen and sophomores were dropped off at Fox Rocks for a hike to the scenic lookout where the towers can be seen. After an hour tour and a hike the two groups switched places.
The tour of the wind power site was led by Cianbro Project Manager Chad Allen. “He did a great job of delivering his material at a level that was interesting to his audience.” said Meg. Mr. Allen brought the students to two of the three towers and discussed the details of the project. He emphasized that the skills he learned in high school are the skills he uses everyday on this project, particularly math and English. After the presentation the students were each allowed to enter the base of one of the towers and peer up its great heights. When asked what she thought about the wind project, Kassandra Hopkins said "It's amazing that such a small, close-knit community can make such a big change to improve the way we get our energy.”
Meanwhile, on the Fox Rocks hike the students stopped at the scenic lookout and enjoyed the great view this site has to offer. Many ate a snack and snapped pictures before returning to the bus for the ride back to school.