Bighorn news: Energy, bacteria, and 9/11

MOTION AND ENERGY

Eighth-grade science students were faced with the question: How is it possible to charge electrical devices when the power is out? To answer the question, students worked as energy engineers.

The students learned about transferring kinetic energy into electricity through a hands-on experiment and created a real-world example. This process, known as energy conversion, is fundamental to many power generation systems.

Specifically, each team of students’ goal was to engineer a system to capture the kinetic energy of rescue workers and transfer and convert the energy to power the worker’s flashlights, radios, and other critical equipment.

They created models and had to present their designs to their teacher.

“Our mission was to get hands-free energy to the rescue workers,” Kenslee Weissmer said.

The inventions required several steps which included a team meeting to develop a plan, a written sketch with labels, an energy transfer diagram, and a three-dimensional model prototype iteration.

“Our invention converted the person’s potential energy into kinetic energy with movement. When the spring on the bottom of their shoe moves it transfers the kinetic energy from the movement of the spring along a wire to a generator. The generator then spins and that energy is transferred into a battery that will hold potential energy to be used on their radios and flashlights,” she said.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTEND 9/11 CEREMONY

Even though none of the students were born yet to experience the events of Sept.11, 2001, Oasis Academy seventh and eighth graders walked to and attend the city of Fallon’s annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony.

The middle school team of teachers know the value in passing on the history of this pivotal moment in American history. They wanted to pass on the impact of that day and how it has shaped many things in their world today.

“It was very interesting to hear the stories of people that were involved in and lived through Sept. 11. It was also inspiring to hear how the community’s response was to it,” Nichols said.

The day provided a life-long lesson for the students.

“I like how Mayor Tedford said how even though the attacks were brutal, we will never forget what happened that day,” Nichols added.

BIOLOGY CLASS COUNTS BACTERIA GROWTH

Last week freshmen in Jackie Bogdanowicz's biology classes swabbed their hands to count bacteria. The leading question in this investigation was, “What method of disinfecting hands is the most efficient hand sanitizer or hand washing?”

After swabbing their uncleaned hands, the students were assigned to either wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitizing to clean their hands. Several different types of both hand sanitizer and soap were used.

“Honestly this lab was really fun and a really good team building experience for my table partners and me,” Lily Smith said.

The experiment served dual educational purposes.

“Overall, the testing was really educational and helped the class better understand the scientific method and lab processes. I’m excited to see the bacteria growth after the incubation period,” she said.

Biology students will continue with labs through the year, but the germ lab is a stepping off point for the class.

— Taylor Sowersby