WordMasters Review Site

     The final session of WordMasters is scheduled to begin the first week of April. Reviewing the first fifty words before the final list is introduced in class will help students prepare  for the final exam. The WordMaster Challenge Prep Site has digital flashcards, games for testing knowledge of the first two lists,  and analogy practice. The third list is also listed on the Test Prep site for students that want a head start. Check it out!

http://wordmasterschallengeprepsite.com/eighthgrade.html 

Acceleration Forms Due April 20th, 2011 Update

The due date for acceleration forms has been pushed back to Wednesday, April 20th.

Eighth grade students interested in testing out of a ninth grade core class must turn in the completed AMS/AHS Acceleration form to the ELP teachers (or the ELP mailbox in the main office) by Wednesday, April 20th.

Students that were unable to attend last week's Learning @ Lunch about acceleration may make an appointment to discuss acceleration options by emailing either Mrs. Staniforth or Mrs. Dixon.

Once the forms are turned in, test scores and grade reports are attached and the forms are then given to the high school department. The AHS department will contact the student when textbooks can be picked up at Ames High School.

ELP Learning@Lunch: Touch Virtual Reality and Make Music!

Dr. Christopher Hopkins of the Iowa State University Music Department will provide a hands-on demonstration of his VE SoundSynth computer interface. Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room on Friday, April 8.

ELP Lunch: Geometric Origami April 7

The April ELP lunch will be Geometric Origami.  There will be a choice of traditional origami, the unit origami pattern from the November lunch (the Sonobe unit), or a new unit origami pattern.  Bring a hot or cold lunch to the ELP room during your lunch period on Thursday, April 7. 

Science Fair of Iowa

The Science Fair of Iowa takes place this Friday and Saturday!  (April 1& 2).  Twelve students from AMS will be presenting their research.  The projects include color preferences of young children, how video games and exercise affect short-term memory, the effect of cranberry juice on bacterial growth, the effectiveness of household acids at killing biofilms, the effect of salt water on the growth of peas, plant growth in CO2 enhanced atmospheres, and how twisting an airfoil affects the lift-to-drag ratio.  The Science Fair takes place at the Hilton Coliseum and is open to the public on Friday from 12-5 and on Saturday from 9:30-4.  Detailed information can be found at http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org.

The researchers will give a Science Fair preview on  Wednesday, March 30.  The 7th grade participants will set up posters in F107 and present to Ms. Kurrle's 2nd period science class.  The 8th grade researchers will set up posters in F102 (the LEGO League room, in the 7th grade science wing) and present their research to staff and 8th grade students during Activity Period.  If you are an 8th grade student and would like to come to the preview, obtain a pass from your Activity Period teacher. 

Purple Comet! Math Meet Update

7th grade students: if you are doing this competition, you are encouraged to come to a practice session during Activity Period on Wednesday, March 30, provided that you do not have other commitments.  You are welcome to get an early start by coming during lunch.  The session will take place in the LEGO League room (F102, next to the 7th grade Science rooms), and we will work on problems that have come up frequently on previous contests. 

Purple Comet! Math Meet

Members of the 7th Grade Math Challenge Group are invited to participate in the Purple Comet Math Meet.  This is a 60 minute competition in which teams of up to 6 contestants solve 15 math problems and enter them on a form online.  The contest will be given during 2nd period and Reading Group time on Thursday, April 7th.  If contestants need to come out of classes other than math, they will attend the missed class during their normal math period.  Anyone who wishes to participate must let Mrs. Dixon know by the Monday following Spring Break (March 21).  To find out more about the competition, see http://www.purplecomet.org.  Purple Comet practice booklets will be available to borrow in Mrs. Smith's and Mrs. Craig's classrooms.

Science and Technology Competition Opportunities

The time is short, but there are a couple of science and technology competition opportunities that might be fun. 

The Discovery Education's 3M Young Scientist Challenge.  
This involves developing an innovative solution to a technical problem and creating a video about it.  Participants register online with their parents.  This will be an independent effort, but we'd love to hear about what you do!  Website:  www.youngscientistchallenge.com.  The deadline for submitting entries is April 15, 2011. 




The Scholastic Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.

Develop an invention that incorporates the use of Bubble Wrap^® cushioning. Send in/upload a written description in English that includes the name of the invention, its purpose, how it works, how the idea was created and how it will be used to make everyday life easier or more enjoyable (the "Description").  If you want to enter this competition,
1.  Go to http://www.scholastic.com/bubblewrap/
2.  Read and understand the rules. 
3.  Develop your invention and write your description.
4.  Enter online or by mail by March 11.  (If you are not yet 13, you will submit information for obtaining parental consent by March 11, and the entry will be submitted by March 18.)

Science Fair Working Lunch

There will be a Science Fair Working Lunch on Friday, March 4, 2011.  Mrs. Dixon will go over how to create an excellent project display.