STEM Matters

Did you know that SMBR won an AGRICULTURAL GRANT from THE Ohio State University?

Ms. Borhi and Ms. Kim are in the process of planning several explorations and hands-on activities with our students. The March trip to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is JUST THE BEGINNING!

From the desk of 7th Grade Teacher Lead, Mrs. Costa:

Exciting Field Trips Ahead for 7th Grade!
Our 7th grade students have an action-packed spring ahead filled with hands-on learning and unforgettable experiences! In February, students will explore science in motion during a visit to COSI. In March, they’ll take a trip to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, where history, innovation, and aerospace come to life. To wrap up the year, select students will earn an incentive field trip in May to Activate Columbus, an interactive, high-energy experience that rewards positive behavior and engagement.

We’re excited to offer these opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom and create lasting memories!

It's that time of the year again...STEMagine Me! An imperative piece to STEM Education, is college readiness and Career Exploration. Not only does STEMagine Me activate future forward thinking for our scholars, but also allows are scholars to begin creating the blueprint that catapults dreams to actionable goals! Parents are invited!

Need to knows:

• During the day event
• This is NOT OPTIONAL. Your student will receive a grade from each of their core teachers, on this project.
• Please read the rubric, as it will allow you to support your student.

Rubric:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15y76wneDhhqPRpXcobWRaPzl3B2J1kKlZAIS4WQlALc/edit?usp=sharing

From the desks of Mrs. Smart, Science Department Chair

6th Grade Science - We are currently studying motion and energy (6.PS.3 and 6.PS.4), with students connecting their reading to hands-on learning experiences. Through the novels The House That Lou Built and Merci Suárez Changes Gears, students explore themes of problem-solving, change, and helping others. They apply these ideas through hands-on projects, including designing and building an affordable housing model and identifying how different types of energy are used within a home.

7th Grade Science - The 7th grade science team is wrapping up the Energy Houses unit and beginning our study of the Water Cycle. During Design Challenge Week, students will design and build glasses that distort vision, aligning with this year’s Design Challenge theme of Distortion and connecting to the novel Wink, which students are reading in ELA. Looking ahead, students will also participate in two exciting field trips: a visit to COSI in February and the National Air Force Museum in March.

8th Grade Science - The 8th grade science team is currently studying continental drift, plate tectonics, and seafloor spreading. Students will soon transition into a unit on landforms, building connections between plate tectonics and the processes of erosion, deposition, and weathering. This Earth science unit will conclude with a landform project in which students research a specific landform and create a corresponding 3D model to demonstrate their understanding.

Computer Science - In Computer Science, students have begun exploring computer hardware by learning about the different components of a computer and how they function. Instruction includes comparing computer parts to the human body to help students better understand their roles and interactions. By the end of the unit, students will be able to identify key hardware components and explain their functions. To conclude the unit, students will participate in a hands-on activity where they take apart and reassemble PCs.

Geographical Sustainability - In Geographical Sustainability, students have recently planted edible flower seeds and will monitor their progress through the stages of germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, and flowering. Throughout the remainder of the month, instruction will focus on the Potable Water Quality, Use, and Availability unit. Lessons will explore the water cycle, the effects of pollution on water systems, and issues related to water scarcity at both local and global levels.

We are excited to announce that Maryhaven and The Columbus, Ohio Chapter of the Links will soon be providing prevention services at STEM Middle @BRJH! This partnership will supporting student, families, and our school community.

Through Maryhaven’s Project Lead High Expectations — the “No Thank You” Campaign, the goal is to deliver engaging, age-appropriate prevention education that promotes healthy decision-making, raises awareness, and equips students with the skills to navigate real-life challenges. Maryhaven is passionate about meeting students where they are and reinforcing positive choices in a supportive school environment.

If you would like to learn more about how your STEM Scholar can be a part of this project, please contact our school social worker, at Lasandra.Dent@reyn.org

As we kick off the third quarter, we want to remind families that Nationwide Children’s Hospital is offering a free six-week, health and fitness-based mentoring program for 6th

grade students at Reynoldsburg City Schools. Students will have the opportunity to work with mentors to

build successful life skills, like self-leadership, healthy nutrition habits, cooking classes, and physical fitness. Please reference the flyer, and scan the QR code, for more information.

February 19th is our next Very Important Parents in STEM Night! This event will be hosted by the Math and Science Departments, so get ready for an evening of quality, hands-on enrichment with the family!

From the desk of Mrs. Diehl, 6th Grade Teacher Lead:

6th grade has had a busy start to 2026! In Social Studies, students are learning all about Ancient Egypt, starting with everyone's favorite topic: Mummies! Next week, not only will students get to observe as their teacher uses historically accurate techniques to "mummify" a chicken, they will also have an opportunity to use those same techniques to mummify an apple! Students also already took a "Virtual Field trip" to Ancient Egypt, and will have the chance to transliterate their names into Egyptian Hieroglyphics! In Geographical Sustainability, students have recently planted edible flower seeds, which they will monitor through the stages of germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, and flowering. Throughout the remainder of the month, instruction will focus on activities aligned with the Potable Water Quality, Use, and Availability unit. These lessons will explore the water cycle, the impacts of pollution on water systems, and issues related to water scarcity both within our community and globally. In math, so far this month we've covered dividing fractions, exponents, order of operations, and algebraic expressions. We'll be continuing with finding the greatest common factor and least common multiple of pairs of numbers 0-100. In ELA, we are continuing to read Merci Suarez Changes Gears and work on building our writing skills! We are currently studying motion and energy (6.PS.3 and 6.PS.4), with students connecting their reading to hands-on learning experiences. Through the novels The House That Lou Built and Merci Suárez Changes Gears, students explore themes of problem-solving, change, and helping others. These ideas are applied through authentic projects such as designing and building an affordable housing model and identifying how different types of energy are used within a home. To deepen real-world connections and strengthen alignment with the standards, potential field trips are on the horizon, including a visit to Vista Villages to tour a tiny home transitional housing community and Rulaco Construction, where students may explore how tiny houses are designed and built. These experiences help students see how science concepts related to motion, energy, and engineering are used to address real community needs. Additionally, 6th grade is looking to plan field trips to United Skates of America, Ohio History Center, Blendon Woods, and potentially an End of Year Reward trip to Urban Air.

From the desk of our Electives Teacher Lead, Ms. Emmons:

Did you know that our band won the a Middle School Music Grant, from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation? Congrats goes out to Mr. Tennant and our band students!

In conjunction with the grant, our band scholars will demonstrate collaboration, and being culturally aware and global citizens, by performing at local senior centers and a veteran's event!

The Orchestra Ensemble students are scheduled to perform at the Wesley Ridge Retirement Center in March!

Choir - The choir is kicking off an exciting season! We’ll be starting new music as we prepare for our May concert, while also exploring and honoring music connected to Black History Month. In addition to our musical goals, students are looking forward to our upcoming Kings Island trip, which will be a fun opportunity to celebrate teamwork and all the hard work we’ve been putting in together. It’s a busy and rewarding time for choir!

Geographical Cultivation and Sustainability - In Geographical Sustainability, students have recently planted edible flower seeds and will monitor their progress through the stages of germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, and flowering. Throughout the remainder of the month, instruction will focus on the Potable Water Quality, Use, and Availability unit. Lessons will explore the water cycle, the effects of pollution on water systems, and issues related to water scarcity at both local and global levels.

Physical Education - We are kicking off the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. We will also play Tag Games, Kickball, Matball, Super Matball, Pinball, and Battleship.

Video Game Design - We have started the quarter discussing careers in design and how their skills with animation, coding, illustration and design can lead them down amazing creative paths in their future. We are hoping we will have guest speakers/professors from Columbus College of Art & Design visit to discuss their Video Game Design program and coding camps!