Washington Primary School second graders recently completed their third hands-on science kit of the year. The latest unit was titled “The Nature of Matter” and it was just as popular with students as its two predecessors.
“Throughout the unit students participated in hands on activities focusing on the properties of matter and states of matter,” second grade teacher Melissa Studdert said. “The culminating activity involved students applying their knowledge of matter to build a boat that would both float and carry objects across the water tub. Students had access to various materials including aluminum foil, cardboard, straws, Popsicle sticks and clay.”
Matter is defined as “a substance that has inertia and occupies physical space. According to modern physics, matter consists of various types of particles, each with mass and size. It can exist in several states, also called phases. The three most common states are known as solid, liquid and gas.”
“My kids and I had so much fun with all the lessons in the kit,” Ms. Studdert said. “They were so hands-on it really made the content meaningful for the students. We did a ‘boat challenge’ and the kids were so focused and engaged in the project and even asked me if they could make more boats!”
A graduate of John H. Glenn High School, Ms. Studdert obtained an undergraduate degree at SUNY Oneonta and a master’s degree at St. Joseph’s College. She came to the district as a case aide in 2008 and joined the faculty in 2010. She has taught on the K-4 level in all four primary schools in Huntington UFSD.
“My class has loved all of the science kits this year and I have loved teaching with them,” Ms. Studdert said. “They cheer when they see science on the schedule.”
