Last Friday, students in Grades 5-6 presented to their teachers, families, and fellow students at the annual Science Showcase. The Showcase is the culmination of the year’s subjects; students can choose any topic they learned about in class and delve deeper into it for their research.

For students in 5th grade, their year focused on biology and astronomy. Popular subjects included testing theories on Darwinism and evolution, such as why zebras have stripes. Nyla and Chloe from the Class of 2018 looked at this issue and postulated several explanations, including their personal favorite: it makes it harder for lions to find the zebras when they are hiding in tall grass. Other projects focused on how planets formed, the Big Bang, and phases of the moon.

The 6th grade’s theme for Science this year was creation and explanation. Their presentations focused on cloning, genetically modified organisms, dinosaurs, electricity, currents, and electromagnetism. Students did an amazing job creating interactive elements in addition to their posters explaining the science and history of their subject. Alex and Liam from the Class of 2017 built boats that were powered by electromagnetism; Desiree and Kelly challenged students to bulid their own circuits and make modifications without turning off the attached light bulbs; and Annie made a board game based on The Game of Life that explored dominant and recessive genetics.

These students aren’t the only ones learning a lot in science this year! The 7th grade also presented recently at their Climate Change Expo, in which groups of students researched a global solution to climate change. Examples included biofuel, carbon taxes, solar radiation management, and carbon capture and storage. The students presented posters that outlined the history of their solution, its pros and cons, how it is being used now, and how it can be used in the future. Students also had to answer whether or not they would invest in this solution to solve climate change.