2008 Grant Proposal Details

OMSI Interactive Assemblies   Monroe Middle School

Total: $1995

Description:  OMSI assemblies are a great way for students to experience science in a way that “brings to life” concepts they learn in class. Because these assemblies are interactive and educational, students will see how science is all around them, experience the “fun” in science, and come away with a greater understanding of scientific concepts presented in class by their teachers. Sixth graders will attend “Wild Weather Show”, an assembly where exciting demonstrations help students understand how weather works. Students will explore through a series of hands-on demonstrations the roots of weather, both good and dangerous, and how we can use clues to guess tomorrow's forecast! Seventh graders will learn about, see and touch a ariety of ordinary and exotic animals usually found in different environments, including rainforests, during their "Creature Feature" assembly. This program takes a close look at the many unique adaptations animals have developed to enable them to surive in wildly different environments. Student will learn how animals respond to a wide range of stimuli, including weather extremes, predators and changing habitats. Of course, handling frogs, cockroaches, snakes and alligators will add to the learning! In the “Altered States” assembly, eighth grade students will explore how solids, gases and liquids change from one state of matter to another. Student volunteers will be used to show a variety of common and not-so-common physical and chemical changes, using materials that will Snap!, Crackle! or go BOOM! Eye-catching demonstrations, complete with sound effects, will reinforce basic chemistry and physics concepts, as well as the conversions of energy that take place in each.

Why is this important?  Since money is so tight these days, finding funding for special events, such as these interactive assemblies, is real tough. Our school provides students with a variety of excellent instruction in class, but we do not have many opportunities to assemble students for educational purposes. These assemblies allow students to view science in novel ways in a large group, and give student volunteers the chance to help demonstrate scientific principles to their peers. It is beneficial for students to hear and see things from a number of different people, for the repetition can reinforce the “big ideas” we all want them to learn.

Who will be served?  These assemblies will be presented concurrently to our student body in three locations. The total number of students served will be about 540. Approximately 180 sixth graders will see “Motion Commotion” Approximately 180 seventh graders will see “Creature Features” Approximately 180 eighth graders will see “Altered States”.

How will this be evaluated?  Student recall of the “big ideas” presented at each of the assemblies will be one way the science teachers will be able to evaluate the success of the assemblies. In addition, science teachers will build upon the information presented to enhance the overall educational value of the assemblies. The content of each assembly is correlated to the state science standards, so all presentations will reinforce standards that classroom teachers are covering throughout the year.

Does this build on existing programs?  Yes. Science is taught at each grade level, and these assemblies have been chosen because they reinforce the concepts taught at each level. Sixth graders learn about energy and earth sciences, and P.E. teachers teach students to juggle, which involves matter, inertia, and energy. Seventh graders learn about life science topics, including biodiversity, ecology and conservation. Eighth graders learn about physical sciences, including units on chemistry and physics. These assemblies will strengthen each of the existing science programs at Monroe Middle School.

Budget:  OMSI charges $450 per assembly, plus a $95 fee for the instructor's travel expenses. Mileage charges will be about $120 per assembly. Each assembly is therefore $665. - Total budget for three assemblies is $1995.

Proposal #:  74