Thursday, May 30, 2013

Science World Field Trip Friday, May 31st

Hi Parents:

Tomorrow will be our Science World Field Trip.  Thank you to our parent-drivers and chaperones (Mrs.Tam, Mrs.Santos, Mrs.Zetina-Naidu, Ms.Anderson) who will supervise our students.  Please re-read the important information about our field trip tomorrow.  This experience connects well to our study of the human body in class.  Please contact me if you or your child have any further questions or concerns.

Blessings,

Mr.Wu
Grade 5 Teacher



Science World Field Trip- Important Information

Dear Parents:
                   
The grade 4/5 class will be going to Science World on Friday, May 31st to take part in a number of activities related to our science studies in class. This is primarily a wrap-up event to our “Intermediate Science Adventure” about the human body, but students will also be learning about a variety of other topics related to our science units in grade 4 & 5.

Our class will be doing the following activities while at Science World:

1]   Omnimax movie: “Human Body”
From the Science World Website:
The Human Body takes a look at the biological processes that go on without our control and often without our notice. Throughout the film, we follow a family as they go about their daily routines. But this is no ordinary story. It’s a tale of what takes place beneath the skin—a tale that allows us to see the extraordinary accomplishments of our everyday lives.

2]   Body Worlds Exhibit:
From the “Body Worlds” Website:
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions are first-of-their-kind exhibitions through which visitors learn about anatomy, physiology, and health by viewing real human bodies, using an extraordinary process called Plastination- a groundbreaking method for specimen preservation invented by Dr. von Hagens in 1977.
            Each exhibition features more than 200 real human specimens, including whole-body plastinates, individual organs, organ configurations and transparent body slices. The specimens on display stem from the 
body donation program that Gunther von Hagens established in 1983.
            The exhibitions also allow visitors to see and better understand the long-term impact of diseases, the effects of tobacco consumption and the mechanics of artificial supports such as knees and hips. To date, more than 36 million people around the world have viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibits.

**This exhibit is very graphic in nature, and parents are encouraged to read more about it so that they can fully understand what it is all about. Grade four teachers will be posting links on our class websites, so parents can read more about it. You are also welcome to google “Body Worlds” for more information as well. We are providing parents with this information because we know that this exhibit might not be suitable for all students. 

From a Christian perspective, we feel that this exhibit will, in a very real way, demonstrate to our students that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made" by God.   We want our students to gain a greater insight into God's amazing creation of the human body, and to see that our bodies are temples we are called to take care of.  This exhibit specifically focuses on the importance of taking care of your body, and many of the displays show what happens when we don't treat our bodies in the way God intended.  

If, after reading more about this exhibit, you feel that you do not want your child to view these exhibits, they are still welcome to come on the fieldtrip!  There will be lots more opportunities for science learning and exploration through the other galleries. (While groups of students tour “Body Worlds”, students who do not wish to participate will be lead through other exhibits instead).


3]    Other exhibits and galleries – there are a wide variety of exhibits that all students will be lead through in small groups that apply directly to the grade 4 & 5 curriculum. These include:
--- Grade 5:  “Creativity in Motion” – pulleys, springs and sprockets! -Simple Machines
---Grade 4:  “Eureka”- Light & Sound
---Grade 4: “Travesia”- Journey of a Blue Whale -Habitats, migration
---Grade 4 & 5: “Our World”- Sustainability & Stewardship
….and more!  (check out the Science World website for even more great exhibits!)

Thank you,
from the intermediate teachers!