A wonderful trip to Pt Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. So many amazing animal exhibits and the bonus of getting to see scuba divers in the aquarium feeding the fish and cleaning their environment. We learned all about the gear the divers wear, that you call them aquarists and that all the aquarists at Pt. Defiance are licensed scuba divers.

 A science experiment with Skittles and M n M's. Each student with their mentor made a prediction about what would happen when their skittles or their M n M's encountered water. After their hypothesis students took a plate and a cup of either Skittles or M n M's. They arranged the candy one by one around the edge of their plate. Water was then added to fill the plate until it just touched the candy. Students discussed dissolving candy, diffusing color. What happens if the colors are left alone? What happens if they get bumped? Can  you transfer the color to a coffee filter or a piece of paper? Students recorded their findings. The colors were beautiful!

 Thank you to all the parents who helped our Valentine party be such a great success. We had so much fun, passing out Valentines, working on a koala craft and having snacks. Thanks to everyone who attended and everyone who sent in contributions.

 Ladybugs and Bumblebees did a scientific experiment using candy hearts. Each student first made an prediction about whether a candy heart dropped in water, in 7-up and in vinegar would sink or float. Then, with their table group, they tried it. They then made observations about what happened to the candy when it was in the three different liquids. They recorded both their predictions and their observations. Students are continuing to observe as further changes happen to the candy over several days and try to determine why the candy responds differently in different liquids.

 Bumblebees and Ladybugs spent some time working on symmetry. They used this geometric principle to create symmetry starting from a line of symmetry or starting from a created shape and finding the lines of symmetry. They also created symmetrical penguins to go with our study of Antarctica.