Churchill Science

205, 203 and 206 are learning about the forest. While we were watching Planet Earth and noticing the different layers of the forest, we pointed out many predators and their prey. We also began to talk about how plants make their own energy from the Sun, while everything else that lives must eat to get its energy.

Follow the energy to win the food chain game!

Click the pictures to play.

We can’t get enough of this game! Can you balance out the predators and prey so that all three kinds of living things survive?

Is it hard to breathe in the desert? by Saskia

This question was asked during a discussion of how trees produce oxygen, so that people can breathe. Saskia wanted to know if places without many trees, such as deserts, would be harder to breathe in. Great thinking!

Want to learn more about the rainforest? Try out the Rainforest Alliance’s cool interactive game, Jewels of the Earth. Once you’ve placed all the living things into the correct layer, you can click on them to access more information. Or just sit back and listen to the rainforest sounds!

Click here to explore the kelp forests of Monterey Bay!

Devon was very scientific in his approach to this game. He watched what happened, then changed one or two of the numbers a little bit, then tried again. Each time he did this, he got closer and closer to a perfect game. His highest score was 85 points.

If you use this method, you can get a high score too! We will post the highest scores as kids get to them.

Click on the picture to take the quiz!

Can you dress the polar scientist? There are a LOT of layers!

This video from Lisa’s trip includes a short section that shows you all the layers she wore. You can also see icebergs, penguins, and even a top predator…

Dive to the deep sea with National Geographic!

We are learning about adaptations in the deep sea. The cookie cutter shark’s adaptation is having a suction mouth and really sharp teeth that are connected to each other. The Cuvier’s beaked whale has two teeth on the bottom of its mouth for fighting. The sperm whale has a “floating head”. There is a chemical in its head that helps it float. The giant squid is really big and it hides lower down in the ocean so you can’t see it.