Dear Parents,

This is an exciting time in 6th grade life science at Friends Seminary. Starting this year, the course primarily utilizes inquiry-based learning, in which students generate questions about nature and design experiments to answer these questions. As part of this change, 6th graders now have the opportunity to participate in the science fair scheduled for the Spring.  Previously, only 5th graders participated in the science fair.

As you may have inferred from the plants growing in your homes, the 6th graders have already started the first of three experiments for the science fair. I have placed the students into groups and each student should have a handout which describes the overview of the science fair, including the dates. I think you should take a look at it; if you have further questions after viewing the document, then feel free to send me an email at hwilson@friendsseminary.org to learn more about the details of the assignment. Students can replace lost copies of the document by accessing the course website at http://moodle.friendsseminary.org/moodle2/. You can view and provide feedback on current and former student science fair experiments, in addition to accessing some of the important documents at the course wiki at http://fs6thgradesciencefair.pbworks.com.

Each group is designing and executing three experiments related to each other and related to the essential question, "How can we maximize plant growth while minimizing environmental impacts?" All group members will replicate the experiments at home and share data. Throughout the year, they will have opportunities to share their findings with classmates while individually writing lab reports. The project will culminate with a science fair, in which the group will present all of their findings to the greater Friends community (including family members and friends.)

Below please find the start and completion dates of the three experiments. Notice that the students will not have to work on this assignment during major vacations, assuming that they have followed the deadlines.

Experiment 1 started by Nov 20th

Experiment 1 completed by December 18th

Experiment 2 started by Jan 9th

Experiment 2 completed by Feb 6th

Experiment 3 started by Feb 13th

Experiment 3 completed by March 13th

Science Fair--- May 1st

I think the role of parents is to facilitate the gathering of materials, providing space at home for undisturbed set-up of experiments, asking thought-provoking questions about the experiments and helping group members meet and plan outside of school time. It will be a lot of work and should stretch their thinking and organization, but it will be fruitful and engaging. I am excited to see what they can produce!

Thank you in advance for your help,

Hassan Wilson

6th grade life science teacher