Vibrant G.E.M.S. (Girls Excelling in Math and Science)

A Rochester Teacher Center/MSTL Nazareth College Initiative by Sherry Cope and Khieta DavisFlower City School, #54

Objective

To form a G.E.M.S. extended day program for 5th and 6th grade girls in order to support their self-concepts as young women, to strengthen relationships among the girls, teacher facilitators, and invited guests, to enhance the girls’ skill in math and science, and to provide connections and resources beyond the classroom to promote academic excellence.

Overview

Kites Airplanes Rockets

Let’s Go Fly A Kite!

Literature Connections

Big Idea (Kites)

Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Design

Key Idea S1: The central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations of natural phenomena.

Kites Inquiry

Please write some possible essential or guiding questions we might use with our students.

MSTL Kites Activity

Materials needed:– Commercial kites– Kite making materials

(paper, plastic bags, bamboo sticks or dowels, kite string or fish line, tape, rulers, scissors, tissue paper, etc.)

Up, Up and Away! (Airplanes)

Literature Connections

It is Rocket Science!

Literature Connections

Future Study for Fall and Spring

Airplanes and Rockets Possible Essential Questions

– What makes a “good” paper airplane (rocket)?– Which plane will fly best?– What will make the projectile (rubber band) travel

the farthest (using the rubber band launcher)?