Science quiz moved to Wednesday

The science quiz scheduled for Tuesday, 1/13/15 has been moved to Wednesday, 1/14/15. Students can use the online study guide: Quiz: Electric Current

Poetry Project

Over the next two weeks, students will analyze poetry through a set of critical lenses. Students will work in groups to understand self-selected poems, and will discuss with each other what each of their lenses "tells" them about the image created by the poet. They will then select one poem to present to the class, and include images and the message the poet expresses.

AMS Grade 8 receives a STEM mini-grant!

AMS 8th grade students and teachers are grateful for the financial support from Bentley Systems, Inc through a $250 grant supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives in schools. The funds will be used to purchase supplies for the Building Bridges to STEM Careers activities during the month of May. This will be the third year mini-grants will be used to reduce the cost of building the bridges.

Students designing their bridge for the STEM project in the 8th grade during the 2013-2014 school year. 

Students begin to learn about electricity

This past Monday, students started to learn about electricity in science class. Students will work through several learning activities, projects, and assignments to help them learn about the role of energy in the production and usage of electricity. Students will be also learning about conservation and sustainability of resources through practical changes that can be done at home.

Parents can download a copy of the latest list of assignments from the science website. A daily list of class activities and homework can be seen on the classroom timeline. 

Next week students will be coming home asking for help from their parents and guardians as they complete an electric usage audit. As adults paying the bills, we know the impact of wasted electricity on the budget. This project aims to help students understand electric utilities and how some simple changes could lower the power bill! Students will be introduced to the project on Tuesday, 1/13/15. There are many resources students will need to access from the class website, www.HaskinsSci8.info. Students will be asked to research various facts about commercial electricity, collect data from their home, and analyze how to save power resources. Also, there are plenty of helpful hints and explanations on the website to assist students as they put together their digital portfolio. Students will gather materials and modify a template that has been made available through the Google Drive. It will be helpful if students can access the electric meter at their home as well as read and analyze the latest electric power bill. The choices and habits students make today could have a great impact on the environment and the pocketbook!

Parents and guardians can choose to take energy conversation further with their child by completing the Watt Choices program online. https://www.duquesnelight.com/wattChoices/ If you are a Duquesne Light Company customer, you are eligible to participate in real electric energy audit, and in return you can get free CFL light bulbs, information on rebates for new energy efficient appliances, night lights and a free phantom power killing surge protector!

Free Watt Choices energy saving kit!

• Complete the Duquesne Light online home energy audit with your science student! 
• Refrigerator and freezer recycling program 

Grade 8 article in The Herd

AMS Grade 8 student, Caitie Bellotti, had an article posted to The Herd website this week.  Read it here:

Veterans experience at the history center

Calendar Update

Thursday, January 8

 2-hr delay - Inclement Weather

Monday, January 12

 [Social Studies] Extra Credit Essay DUE

 [Event] BAAHA 8th Grade Civics Accelerated Topics

Tuesday, January 13

 [sci] Quiz: Electric Current Tuesday (study guide online)

Friday, January 16

 [Event] Pancake Breakfast

Monday, January 19

 No school for students - ACT 80

Tuesday, January 20

 [Event] Junior Achievement

Wednesday, January 21

 [Event] Advisory

Tuesday, January 27

 [Social Studies] Study for Bill of Rights TEST

Wednesday, January 28

 [Social Studies] Bill of Rights TEST

Monday, February 16

 No school for students - ACT 80