Mackay Museum and Planetarium

Today we had the opportunity to learn outside the school grounds. We began at the Mackay Museum at UNR and had a wonderful tour of the artifacts from early mining, the Mackay Silver, and the wonderful mineral specimens. In addition, thanks to Mrs. Albright, we were able to get a special tour under the building to see how it was retrofitted to be earthquake proof. Very neat tour! Next, we viewed a show at the Planetarium on the universe. Mr. Ruby, the brilliant man that he is, answered all of our high level questions very well. It was a very educational day.

Presenting our Analysis

We finished analyzing our real data from wild sheep herds in Montana. Wednesday, scientific teams of students presented their analysis of their particular herd. Each group had something to offer and teach the other five groups. Concepts involved: carrying capacity, minimum viable population, habitat, gestation, grazing allotment, subspecies, and more. Students discussed topics dealing with how: extreme natural weather conditions impact herds, vehicle traffic through herd areas, current pnemonia outbreaks and what is causing them, how wildfire and their suppression impact herds, management challenges, and more. Today we get to see what the scientists and wildlife managers of the herds thought about the data.

Physical Anthropology

We had the opportunity to have Dr. Pilloud from the University of Nevada, Reno visit our class to teach us about how important subtle differences are in observations, all pertaining to anthropology. Students learned from a biological anthropologist how anthropologists identify and use these differences to identify age, sex, physical activity, and more in ancient (and modern) bones that are found. It was surely a treat to have her visit!

Bighorn Sheep: On the Edge?

Our class has become six teams of scientists. Each group of four or five scientists is using REAL data gathered from scientists in Montana. Each group is analyzing patterns and trends in their particular wild sheep herd (each group has a different herd). Of all the 54 herds currently in Montana, we are only sampling 6 herds. Student scientists today graphed the historical data of the population. Next week they will analyze trends in population growth and decline. Finally, a presentation on their herd will occur. After each group presents, we will look for patterns between the different herds and come to conclusions on how each herd is doing (and WHY). Then we get to compare our conclusions to what the scientists determined. Using real data....to do real science...and math.....and language arts!

Art

We recently learned how to draw in perspective, with buildings and a road "vanishing" in the distance. Some art volunteers also came into our class and taught the art of using charcoal. That is right, using simply a burnt stick for the most part, we drew elephants!

Book Report Games

Students created unique board games to accompany their recent fantasy book that was read out of class. We took time in class for students to share their game with others, and at the same time learn a little about the book.