Biogen Idec Family Nights

The science department, in conjunction with Biogen Idec, will again be hosting Family Biotech Nights for students in grades 6 - 8 and their parents this February. This FREE event allows families to do real science in the Biogen Idec Community Lab with their middle grade child. Biogen Idec funds dinner, parking, and childcare for younger children.  For more information contact the Cambridge Science Department at 617-349-3012 or download the flyer at http://www.cpsd.us/eventdtl.cfm?id=7437.

Kennedy-Longfellow School Receives $25,000 Green in the Middle Grant

The CPSD Science Department is proud to announce that the Kennedy-Longfellow School has been selected as one of 11 schools to receive a Green in the Middle: Enhancing STEM Instruction at the Middle School Level grant award. The school's award is $25,000, and the grant will run from December 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010, with the possibility of two additional years at $25,000 each.

Green in the Middle is a new initiative of the Department of Education that seeks to accomplish five major goals.  These goals are to: 1) increase school engagement among all students; 2) improve instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject areas; 3) develop 21st century skills in applied learning situations; 4) contribute to ecological and environmental initiatives; and 5) encourage students, particularly students who are low-income and/or traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields, to consider STEM career paths.

During the grant period, the aim is to support work on Green in the Middle activities through professional development, technical assistance, resource development and program evaluation.

Cabridge Public Schools and Mass. Audubon Expand Partnership

The Cambridge Public School Science Department and Mass. Audubon are excited to announce the expansion of their partnership in the 2009-2010 school year. Currently, curriculum extension experiences are offered to a select group of schools each year, and coordinated by Marian Miller of Mass. Audubon, Susan Agger, Maynard Ecology Center Director, and Marianne Dunne, Science Teacher Mentor. The expansion of this relationship, funded by a grant from the Amgen Foundation, will allow all third graders to participate in this exciting opportunity. For more information check out http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/education/x986603726/Cambridge-partnership-funds-lessons-in-ecology-101.

CPSD Middle Grade Students Showcase Science Projects

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009 almost 300 CPS middle grade students showcased science projects at MIT’s Johnson Athletic Center during the 17th annual Cambridge Public Schools/MIT Science EXPO.  Students presented the projects they worked on over the course of the winter including: “The Little Truss that Could,” “The Effect of Different Colored Lights on Plant Growth,” “Does Salt Affect Germination Rates,” and “Measuring Air Resistance.” Students engaged in conversation with their peers, teachers, MIT student volunteers, and parents as they explained their research, experimental set up, and conclusions. At EXPO each student received a ribbon and certificate for participating and a book donated by the Cambridge Community Foundation. Each school received a trophy and each middle grade science teacher was honored with curricularly focused books. Students even had the opportunity to experience a variety of tours led by MIT students, including visiting a glass lab, the MIT museum, and the Nuclear Reactor lab.

Cambridge Science Initiative April Vacation Camp

This year during the CSI April Vacation Camp, 40 middle grade students explored local geology and landforms. Students increased their understanding of how Cambridge and New England were formed as they embarked on a Rock Mystery tour!   The students learned about prehistoric New England and how this area was formed with an engaging lab program by Pete Money.  Campers traveled to the Pequot Museum where they participated in a specially designed tour that took them down into a glacier where they learned about the Natural History of New England. Students also traveled to Lynn Woods Reservation and met Ranger Dan and local geologist, Dr. Lindley Hanson who accompanied them as they looked for evidence of the last glacier, explored a fault and looked closely at striations, volcanic rock and sketched vernal pools.  On the final day students completed their topography maps or field guides to their mystery rock and designed an Earth Science jeopardy game to stump their families!  It was an exciting week here in Cambridge for our middle grade students as they discovered new ideas about rocks and how Cambridge was formed million of years ago!