Climate Change Charges 6th Grade

Parker’s 6th grade scientists have recently immersed themselves in a multi-week lesson investigating climate change. As students began the fourth week of this study, 6th grade science teacher Peg Zerega and STEAM and Coding teacher Sylvia Glassco joined forces for an innovative, hands-on lab to reinforce key components of this curriculum: fossil fuels and renewable energy.

Following a design from GreenLearning, Zerega and Glassco focused on how electricity is produced and different types of renewable electricity generation and tasked their students with creating a wind turbine. Class members created their turbine using a water bottle, a wooden dowel and three pieces of precut cardboard and glued washers onto the bottom of a cardboard rotor that held four strong magnets. With their wind turbines complete, students tested the voltage a hair dryer generated in a stand containing four wire coils connected to a multimeter sensor.

Teachers and students enjoyed this new, engaging lesson. “They loved it!” Glassco exclaimed. “Electricity can feel like a very advanced topic, but in this lab, students create their own electricity using simple materials and can see how motion (in this case, wind) is able to directly power something.”

As this lesson shows, Zerega and Glassco clearly understand Parker’s mission to educate students to become responsible leaders in our world. “The climate crisis is an urgent threat,” Glassco further offered. “Students are learning the science and will soon be taking action towards climate solutions—stay tuned for more from them!”

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