It’s the final launch time for our water bottle rockets at the fields by Liberty Station nearest to the gun turrets. The fields are just a few blocks west of the Corvette Diner parking area. We’ll test after lunch time this Sunday 6/8 around 1:30pm. For any questions, call Mr. Major at 619-916-8384.
Category Archives: Science
Would You Live on Mars?
Check out resources in class – two books and a magazine article
7th Grade Elective Electronics • Circuit Boards, Soldering, Inductance, Semiconductors • Metal Detectors!
Some 7th graders have been working on an electronics extension to their science class. The students are learning about circuit constuction on printed circuit boards using passive and active components. As well as acquiring precision soldering skills and learning how to read component identification markings, the project includes leaning about inductance, inductive coupling, semiconductor operation and the math that is used in conjunction with some of these devices.
When completed the students will have working metal detectors and an understanding of how the associated electronics functions.
7th Grade Outdoor Ed/Science • Joshua Tree Trip
More photos from the 7th Grade Science-Outdoor Ed Trip…. and a report from Mr. Major:
Saw a fox last night and had a star presentation from a local astronomer. Saw the Andromeda galaxy a galaxy cluster in Orion’s belt and the coolest thing with the naked eye was a massively brilliant meteor that lit up the night sky…was bright white then burned red and then fractured into a few pieces!
Joshua Trip Tomorrow
Packing List for Joshua Tree Trip:
We’re going to Joshua Tree tomorrow!! Last reminders: please bring layers of clothing as it’s warm during the day and chilly at night. Please DO NOT bring candy or other junk food, there is good food for you at camp but you may bring something to nibble on for the 3 hour trip up there but again please no overly sugary snacks! Students do not have to wear their uniforms for any part of this trip. Lastly our goal is to leave school roughly around drop off time 8 to 8:15ish so try to be on time tomorrow.
Currently we are planning to return, traffic permitting, before 3 pm this friday.
Joshua Tree Trip Postponed until Nov. 6-8
Apologies to all families and especially those who have initially offered to help transport our 7th graders to and from Joshua Tree. We will have to postpone the trip for the first week in November due to our Jog-a-thon and Halloween occuring within the next 2 weeks. Hopefully the government will have it’s act together at this time and we can continue to enjoy the beauty and splendor of our National Park System.
The biggest change as many of you can imagine is that the temperatures will start to drop and if nothing else I encourage families if they haven’t already done so to ensure that all students have some type of long underwear that students can wear as a first layer particularly in the evenings. Please send in any outstanding trip payments and/or medical forms asap.
Joshua Tree is still on??
Common Chuckwalla or Sauromalus Ater, one of the interesting denizens of the high desert that we hope to meet on our adventures.
Our Outdoor Ed. experience at Joshua Tree National Park is still on but the exact dates are TBD with the government shutdown. Continue reading
Literature and Poetry: Independent Project for The Last Dog
Joshua Tree Permission Slips
A typical night view in Joshua Tree National Park… 
Thank you all 7th grade families who have returned their permission slips to Mr. Major. Although we do not immediately need the payment for the students, we do need an accurate head count ASAP so please return those permission slips in! Thank you!
Mr. Major
OTA 7th Grade Science – Heat Engine Deconstruction
Mr Major’s 7th Grade Science class studied theory and applications of Electromagnetic Energy for 3 quarters this year (building electric circuits, electric switches, electric telegraphs, electric buzzers, electric motors; learning to read circuit symbols and diagrams; learning to measure electricity; and much much more….).
In 4th quarter they turn their attention to the theory and applications of Thermal Energy (taking apart one-cylinder internal combustion engines, studying two-cylinder engines, getting a lesson in motorcycle engine mechanics from master restorer Paul Kamanski, and much much more…!)
To see Slideshow and Internal Combustion Engine Project Exam Checklist …