The Experiments

KHA Science Fair had come around again.

This year all K-8 students each had to ask a question; create their own hypothesis about it; research it, create an experiment about it and determine what your results/conclusion is. That in a nutshell is the scientific method.

In Emily's 6th grade class each student had to create their own topic and display their steps and findings on a tri-fold presentation board along with a written report and oral presentation.

Emily's topic was: Do Different Color Feeders Affect How Much Birds Eat? (are you surprised that it was bird-related?)

Rachel helping Emily paint her feeders.

For one week, she put out 5 feeders (one control and 4 painted in different colors) to see which feeder the birds were most drawn to. Her hypothesis was they would be drawn to the green one more since it's the most 'natural' and familiar color to the birds.

Birdies eating from the red and blue feeders. Personally I think that it didn't make a difference what color the feeder was. As long as it had food, the birds went to it.

She was correct. And she received a Superior ribbon for her project.

All the projects were displayed throughout the Pavilion for all guest and parents to admire.

In Hannah's 3rd grade, the class looked at bread mold. The class divided into small groups to see how mold grows on different kinds of bread. At home, the students continued the experiment further by changing one variable from the classroom such as using a different kind of bread or changing temperature (putting it in the fridge instead of room temp) or light (putting the bread in a brown paper bag instead of a plastic bag).

Hannah took sourdough bread and put it in a brown paper bag in a corner of a counter. Her hypothesis was that mold would grow slower than the sourdough bread that was in her classroom since it was placed in the dark instead of the light.

Bread on Day 18!

She too was correct. Actually after 18 days her slice of sourdough bread still had no visible mold on it! (Hmmm..the bread was purchased from Panera Bakery. I am a little suspicious of this 'fresh' bread now that it had not shown mold in 18 days!)

She received a Science participant ribbon for her experiment. (All K-5 students get a Participant ribbon until they get to 6th grade).

Hannah and one of her group mates, Nicholas.