STEAM and Community Service

At Stephen's Creek, our 4th graders were able to identify and learn about ways that the Native Americans used our local plants - ferns, willows, firs, berries, and The Tree of Life - cedar.  Unfortunately, invasive plants have moved into our natural area and with the help of the Portland Parks and Recreation SW Watershed Steward, the class was able to remove English Ivy from one section of the park.

The students were able to take their hard work back to the classroom and change it into a beautiful art project.  While the Native Americans would not have used English Ivy for their baskets, our students removed the leaves and learned how to weave a mini basket!

Muon's in the air

Humans can only see part of the radiation from the sun - the visible light spectrum.  What about the unseen gifts from our local star?  Some are safe for humans and life on Earth, and other are damaging.  We discussed how our atmosphere protects us from some of the most dangerous forms of cosmic radiation - some of the ultraviolet spectrum, x-rays, and gamma rays.  Using a homemade cloud chamber, Rieke 3rd grade students were able to view a normally invisible safe cosmic particles called muons.