Sierra Canyon 3rd Grade students enjoyed a hands-on science morning, exploring energy through three interactive experiments.
The first rotation had students out of the classroom and onto the field. The Slingshot Launch experiment helped students see how stored energy turns into motion when they pull back and release. With two turns each, students experienced potential and kinetic energy up close and cheered one another on to the farthest launch. Makenna H. '35 shared, "I could feel the stored energy as I pulled back the slingshot and enjoyed seeing how far the ball flew in the air."
Students then headed to the Light Energy Lab, using flashlights and everyday materials to discover the difference between transparent, translucent, and opaque objects. Working with a partner, they hypothesized which items—like a plastic bag, paper cup, styrofoam, foil, and more—would transmit light, then tested and recorded what they observed.
In the Roller Coaster Challenge, foam tubes and marbles became mini roller coasters. They built gentle hills and curves and noticed how gravitational potential energy at the top turned into speed on the way down. When a track did not work the first time, students adjusted the height and tried again.
Reflecting on the day, Mrs. Taraka Kaul noted, "Today, we didn't just learn science, we experienced it!"
At Sierra Canyon, learning is both joyful and purposeful. Hands-on discovery turns rigorous curriculum into memorable experiences that build curiosity, confidence, and strong academic habits.
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