NRESC & The Phoenix

Outside our classroom window, the signs of spring paints a picturesque scene. The once bare branches are starting to boast green leaves. Ms. Heather's observation station allows students to witness the outside world through our classroom window and observe the changes in seasons first hand.

Students kicked off our gardening club project by planting a variety of herbs. We are excited to compare our progress and results with our peer buddies from Wayne Valley High School as we embark on this collaborative gardening journey together.

Gardening in schools provides a hands-on learning experience that deepens understanding of nature and ecological processes, while also promoting physical activity, teamwork, and responsibility. Moreover, it teaches important life skills such as patience and problem-solving, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship and a love for nature that extends beyond the classroom.

March and April have presented us with some fascinating weather this year. To deepen their understanding, students are engaging in a hands-on experiment to learn about thunderstorms. They are also actively tracking the weather to identify any patterns or trends, enhancing their meteorological knowledge.

Students acted as ride engineers after reading about the various engineering positions at a theme park. This activity linked to an N2Y Article about Morgan’s Wonderland Theme Park. Morgan's Wonderland is an accessibility-focused theme park in San Antonio, Texas founded in 2010.

Students constructed a cereal box eclipse viewer by following these steps:

1. Tape the center of the cereal box to secure it closed.

2. Cover one of the openings with foil and puncture a small hole, leaving the opposite side open.

3. To use the cereal box viewer, position yourself away from the sun. Angle the box so that sunlight enters through the pinhole and then peer into the open side of the box.

This viewer allows for safe observation of solar eclipses by projecting the image of the sun onto the interior surface of the box. Remember to exercise caution when viewing the sun directly, and enjoy observing this natural phenomenon safely!

On Celebrate a Writer Day, students engage in a creative activity by participating in a fun and interactive silly sentence game. This activity encourages them to unleash their imaginations and explore language in a playful way, fostering a love for writing and self-expression. By crafting their own unique sentences, students develop their creativity and writing skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

This month, students' learned about a local event right here in our state! The Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park and Museum, located in Mantua Township, N.J., is a forthcoming world-class destination developed by Rowan University, situated on a former marl quarry. Scheduled to open in Summer 2024, this museum will overlook the 65-acre quarry where 66-million-year-old fossils capture the final moments of the dinosaur era. Anticipating over 200,000 visitors annually, the project emphasizes sustainability and site-specific design, featuring interactive galleries and exhibits that showcase the fascinating deep-time perspective offered by the fossil record.

We successfully created elephant toothpaste using completely non-toxic ingredients! Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Pour half a glass of milk and mix in 2 tablespoons of baking soda along with a drop of food coloring.

2. In a separate quarter cup of milk, dissolve 1 tablespoon of citric acid.

3. Combine the citric acid-milk mixture with the baking soda-milk mixture and observe the exciting foaming reaction!

Initially, we encountered minimal foaming, so we adjusted by adding more citric acid or lemon juice until achieving the desired effect. The process was both educational and engaging, as we enjoyed adding ingredients and exploring the textures and scents of each component.

The NRESC has built its own online store to purchase Commission gear! Clothing is available for men, women, and children. In addition, you can purchase other accessories and even gift cards! Please give 7-14 days for processing/shipping. You can purchase whatever you like directly from the online store and they will ship items right to you! And to top it off, the Commission receives 12% of all purchases, which it will give back to our programs. Don't forget to snap a picture with your NRESC apparel in different locations! https://apparelnow.com/northern-region-esc-apparel.

In April, Homer is truly in his element, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a garden gnome. As we continue our Garden Club partnership with Wayne Valley High School, Homer will oversee all gardening operations with enthusiasm and expertise. Here, Homer is on duty as our Garden Gnome, tending to our freshly planted rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, and cilantro. 🌿 #greenthumb