Chemistry students at Berkshire High School recently engaged in a multi-step, project-based learning experience incorporating stoichiometry...
Students Test Chemical Equations
Chemistry students at Berkshire High School recently engaged in a multi-step, project-based learning experience incorporating stoichiometry, which encompasses the study of the relationship between the relative quantities of substances involved in a reaction or the formation of a compound.
Students were given the guiding question, “Which balanced chemical equation best represents the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate?” to begin their scientific investigation. After being provided with four possible reactions, students had to use their knowledge of stoichiometry, law of conservation of matter and law of definite proportions to determine which of the four was the correct equation.
Students designed a lab procedure to collect data to prove their equation prediction and disprove the other three equations. They then shared their findings with other chemistry students in a scientific argument session to help identify errors or faulty reasoning in their arguments. From here, students had the opportunity to re-evaluate and retest in the laboratory or move on to a scientific blind peer review of their written investigative reports.
Students presented their findings in a final culminating poster session, which included a discussion of how they would be able to incorporate this activity using the 5-Cs in the Berkshire Graduate Profile, including critical thinking/problem solving, civic responsibility, communication, collaboration and creativity/innovation. Congratulations to all participating students for their superb work in demonstrating their understanding of scientific concepts through various methods of evaluation.
Students Conduct Nutritional Labs
Students in Mr. Meyer’s ninth-grade health class recently completed nutritional labs to compare and contrast how various foods, drinks and snacks possess different nutritional values.
In the sugary drinks station, students were analyzing the differences between serving per container and serving sizes for popular beverage choices, including Monster Energy drink, Mountain Dew and Gatorade. Students used sugar cubes and basic math to figure out the added sugar contents with each drink.
Students also analyzed fast food menus, grocery shopped online with a budget to buy a week’s worth of groceries and performed in a physical activity station to understand the correlation between calories consumed and calories spent. Overall, the learning activity provided students a relevant and informative learning experience regarding wellness and nutrition.
Career Night With the Cavs
Approximately 20 Berkshire High School students had the special opportunity to receive a behind-the-scenes look at various sports entertainment and hospitality careers through the Career Night with the Cavs program at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 2. Made possible through a partnership between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Geauga Growth Partnership, the program took place after school and featured a panel presentation by industry professionals and representatives from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Mr. Hiscox, athletic director, joined the students on the trip, which also included a facility tour of the recently renovated Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. At the conclusion of the program, students cheered on the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers as they faced the Charlotte Hornets at 7 p.m.
All 20 of the allotted program spots for Berkshire High School filled up quickly, as participating students who signed up to attend the program were given preference based on grade status and potential interest in sports entertainment and hospitality careers. A special thank you to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Geauga Growth Partnership for providing Berkshire students an unforgettable career exploration opportunity.
