Exploring Science at Alfred University

On Friday November 13^th, some A-3 students traveled to Alfred University to explore science and get a feel for what the college experience is like. 



Hailie shows off her
 packing peanut creation!

Our first stop was to learn about some of the properties of metals.  The students were able to pick up equal amounts of metal to feel the weight difference and then compare the sample to water.  We learned that the more copper is twisted the harder it becomes to twist and we learned that some metals are very soft.  Students were able to make bracelets and necklaces by hammering shapes into the metal. 



Kali, Mr. Pilgrim, and Jazmin
enjoy their meal in the dining hall

Our next stop was at the dining hall, where students were able to experience what it is like to eat at a college buffet.  Every year we go, this is always the highlight for the students and this year was no exception.  The students enjoy the variety of foods offered and the more adventurous like trying new things.  The dessert buffet was a huge favorite but even taking care of your dishes at Alfred is fun because of the conveyor belt. 



Eli shows off his slime!

Next we went to learn about acoustics.  We learned that sound travels in a wave, how the sound actually reaches your ear, and the difference between a light wave and a sound wave.  Then we were able to play with a Theremin, which is the only instrument in the world that you don’t touch to play.  Please see below for a video on how a Theremin is played and what it sounds like.  The students were able to see sound waves at different frequencies by placing sand on a vibrating plate. 

A trip to Alfred wouldn’t be complete without making something gooey and messy.  The students were then able to make slime to take home.    



Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim for this wonderful opportunity for our students.  It is always a pleasure to come to Alfred University and the kids always have such a wonderful time.



You’re Invited! 

 

Did you know that lip prints are
just as unique as fingerprints!

What: 

Parent Showcase!

 

When: 

Friday November 20th, 3pm  - 5:15pm!

 

Basketball is practicing some skills!

Recycled Art is making beautiful flowers
with cardboard!

A Parent showcase is a chance for students to show their parents what they have done or learned during the past 7 weeks.  Parents, grandparents, and other family members will be able to participate in many different activities, such as looking at fingerprints and lip prints in Forensics, learn some Yoga poses in Yoga, make yummy trail mix, and participate in a parent/child activity sponsored by Pro-Action of Yates and Steuben Counties.   In addition, basketball will have a short PowerPoint and recycled art will have their crafts on display. 

 

 

 

 

Keeping Busy, Having Fun, and Learning At A-3

Students have been really busy at A-3, these past couple of weeks.  Here is a snapshot of some of the things that they have done and accomplished. 

On one of Steuben Council on addictions visits students were able to make some goals and then they learned the importance of planning to be able to reach those goals.  They made these wonderful “Planning is Key Hands down” posters using an outline of their hands. 

In Stop-Motion Animation, students are using props to make short movies.  They learn about technology and what it can do.  Students are very exciting to share their movies with others.  I was able to see a movie about bugs and one about two people dancing.   The students are so clever and creative.  I can’t wait to see the finished projects later this month.  This enrichment is in partnership with the Science and Discovery Center.

Students in Kitchen Science, run by Cornell Coop. Ext., have been able to learn about the properties of lemon juice, what happens to fruit when it sits out, what is the taste difference between all those different types of apples, and how to make butter.  Whew, that is a lot of learning (not to mention delicious) and there is more to come.

Students also get to have a time when they can get their homework done or get help from an adult.  This is an important part of the program, but the students would probably say, not as much fun.

 

 

Mrs. Friends helps students to calm their racing minds and relax their tired bodies with some Yoga.

I would like to give the Youth Council a big thank you for helping to organize the Halloween Party.  They planned several activities for the students, like face painting and a haunted house.  I would like to say thank you to all the parents that came to watch and especially to all the parents that helped with all the preparations and running the games.   THANK YOU!

Getting Settled in A-3

We have only been in program for a couple of weeks and things are already very exciting.  We have started on our virtual walk of the Appalachian Trail and look forward to learning about the trail throughout the rest of the year. 

Enrichments have started and students have already learned how to read fingerprints, make paper and how to churn butter.

We were able to harvest our parsley (planted last year) and we will be making spaghetti sauce with our very own parsley.

The Halloween Party is on October 30th!  We are going to be dunking for apples, eating doughnuts off of strings and lots of other fun Halloween games.

Youth Job Club starts in November.  The students will learn skills like writing a resume, how to answer questions at a job interview and look at some of the jobs available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Also, in November, we have our Career Day and our first field trip to Alfred University.  More information on these two events coming soon!

As you can see we have so much going on, please join us for any or all of our special activities and events!

Alfred University Engineering Challenge - April 2015

Finishing building the 4th little piggy's house!

On Saturday April 18^th, Jaymi Morseman, Tyler Morseman, Joe Swarthout, Hallie Grant, Niko Westervelt, Krystal Kio, Amira Wales, Cheyenne Jeffers and Kaidyn Chase, got to participate in an Engineering Challenge at Alfred University.  They competed against teams from 4 other schools and won a trophy for “Engineering Performance.”  Students were separated into groups of three but all scores were used for the total score.  Students learned many valuable lessons about teamwork and how the work of each individual is important to achieving the team’s goals.

Waiting for the "Big Bad Wolf"

Students were given two Engineering challenges.  The first one was to build a house for the “4^th little piggy” that would withstand three things; the big bad wolf, an earthquake, and a hurricane or as they liked to call it, “The Bigger and Badder Wolf”.  The students were faced with many design challenges including a limited amount of materials and time, houses had to be a certain size, have two open windows and an open door and be able to support 200 grams of “snow” on the roof.  Points were also awarded for how the house looked. 



Working together as a team!

The second engineering challenge was to build a rubber band car that would travel the furthest distance.  Again they were supplied a limited amount of materials and were under very tight time constraints.  One of our teams built a car that traveled an incredible 24 feet. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Students learned valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance. 

        

Waiting to see how far their car will go.
It went an amazing 24 feet!

 

                       

Congratualations on working as a team and on winning a trophy for Engineering Performance!

 

VEX Robotics Competition

On January 13, 2015, several A-3 students competed in their first ever VEX Robotics competition, which took place at the Wings of Eagles Museum in Elmira.  For this completion, students had to build two robots.  They had to maneuver one robot through an obstacle course with a controller and the other one had to be programed to perform a series of tasks.  This all day competition helped the students learn about technology and team work.