Urbas - Science Week of Dec 21 - Jan 7

Students have been working with Lego's for the past few weeks making machines. This guy wanted to say Hi and tell you that there is much more to come in Science Class starting next year.
 See you soon!

Urbas - Science Week of Dec 14 - 20

Students this week are wrapping up their LEGO investigations and the building of their Pasta Cars. We will be having Pasta Car races of Friday next week after the Band Concert. I think lunch follows, just kidding!
It promises to be a full week and the Holiday Break will be a welcome time. More to follow.

Urbas - Science Week of Dec 7 - 13

Students this week in science will be studying Newton's Laws of Motion. They will be using the Lego kits to help in their understanding of the laws and how the laws even affect their own existence.

We are also getting closer to the Pasta Car Challenge. If you are interested, check out the information on the left.

Urbas Science Week of Nov 30 - Dec 6

Students worked on Cranes and Pulleys along with Belt Pulleys in class this week. The constructions were a bit complicated but they did a great job. Next week more with gears.

There is an Extra Credit option that students can work on that involves a Pasta Car. It will be totally out of school for construction and students can have one partner. The cars must be complete by the last week of school before the Xmas Break and competitions will be held in the grade levels. More info can be obtained off my Blog  in the Extra Credit column.


 You are probably wondering how this will be done, so click on the link, click on Watch at the top,
 Pasta Car below, and sit back and enjoy.


                                                                                     Pasta Car Extra Credit

Urbas - Science Week of Nov 27 - Dec 6

There is an extra credit option available in Science between now and the end of December, namely the Design Squad Student Challenge: Build a Car Made Entirely Out of Pasta!

You are probably wondering how this will be done, so click on the link, click on Watch at the top, Pasta Car below, and sit back and enjoy. More info will be on the next blog.

There is also more information in my Extra Credit section to the left.


Pasta Car Extra Credit

Urbas - Science Week of Nov. 16 - 22

Students have begun their investigations of machines using LEGO kits. This week they became familiar with the parts and next week they will build structural components using geometric shapes.

Shown is my Lego turkey, I hope yours is tastier than mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Urbas - Science Week 11/9 - 11/ 15

Students thus upcoming week will be starting our study of machines and force using LEGO kits.
They will be choosing a partner to work with during the duration of the labs and will be building and evaluating all types of machines.

Our thanks to M.C. Escher.

Urbas - Science Week of Nov 2 - 8

Student this week have been working on levers, using math to balance them and making one out of paper to be used for finding the mass of coins.

Next week they will be working with pulleys and the inclined plane. Truly an uplifting experience.

More STEM coming soon.

Urbas - Science Week of Oct 26 - Nov 1

Students this week in Science will be working with levers to determine the mass of an coins. This will be done with the use of a paper lever and should be interesting to hear about.

They will also be making comparisons of weight verses mass in the lab. They will be using Triple Beam Balances in addition to Spring Scales.

Urbas - Science Week of Oct. 19 - 25

The sixth Grade classes started their investigations of machines this week and worked on the concept of energy, from kinetic and potential to developing an understanding of movement and direction. Next week we work on types of levers and speed.

There is also an Extra Credit option available tomorrow 10/20, Stemfest , at Northern Illinois University. It ties in with out Science & Math curriculum. More details are on my Blog.


We have had a busy week at Lakeview and Cross Country has had a big part in it. The Boys team and Natalie pictured here participated in the State Finals in Normal, IL last weekend. The runners all had a great time and represented Lakeview well.
     Try this link for pictures:        
                                             http://olsens.homeip.net:1081/20121016%20Conference%20Meet/album/

Urbas - Science Week of Oct. 12 - 18

Students this week finished their studies of the Scientific Method, Safety, and Metrics. Next week they begin their investigations of machines, work, force motion, power and much more.

Next week there will be a test on Scientific Method, Safety, and Metrics on Friday 10/19. The Study Guide can be found in class or downloaded from my Blog.

Cross Country is running in the State Meet tomorrow Saturday the 13th, Go Fast Spartans!

Urbas - Science Week of Oct. 5 - 12

                                          Students this week in Science will be reviewing Safety in the Lab                 

                                            and procedures to follow to make a good experience for all. They will be     

                                             starting their investigations of machines and force also by the end of the week.



Urbas - Science Week of Sept 29 - Oct 4

Students this week worked on the Unknown Specimen Lab and did a very good job of identifying the unknown substances. Next week they will cover lab glassware, Problem Solving, and safety in the Science Lab.

There is also an Extra Credit opportunity available for Saturday Oct 6 at the Du Page Water Treatment Plant in Downers Grove. The tour is free and more information can be obtained on my Blog.

Urbas - Science Week of Sept 21 - 27

This week in Science students will be trying to identify unknown substances by using their densities. This will require precise volume measurements using metric units and Triple Beam Balances for mass. This is the first experiment that will require them to collaborate with their partner to solve for the unknown.

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 14 - 20

Students have begun this week to use the Triple Beam Balance to measure the mass of an object. They will be using one like the picture shows in the next weeks to determine not only mass but to also work with the concept of density. We will see what floats.

There will be a quiz next Friday 9/21 on the metric system, balance parts, and units.

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 7 - 13

Students completed their first labs using measurement in the metric system. They first began straight line measurements and progressed to area measurements. Next week they will work on volume and begin use of the Triple Beam Balance for measuring mass. Things are moving right along!

Urbas - Science Week of August 31 - September 6

Welcome to all our new sixth graders in addition to the returning students in 7th & 8th! It has been a great summer and hopefully you had some fun.

In sixth grade, students have begun their investigations with an introduction to Metrics and will be measuring all sorts of objects next week. The objective will be to use the tools of science to solve problems. The next two weeks will have students working through length, area, volume, and density to solve unknowns. Stay tuned!

Urbas - Science Weeks of June 1st - August 20

This week has been activity filled with the students participating in Orienteering activities and map courses. They made their own maps and tried their hand at reading instructions given them by other students. An eye opening experience!

Next week we finish for the year and the 6th grade students will be well prepared for summer.

Urbas - Science Week of 5/25 - 31

The Topographic map to the left is of our area here at Center Cass School District. Can you locate your house on the map?  Your students will by the end of next week. More maps and courses to come! Don't get lost!

Urbas - Science Week of May 18 - 24

Students will be using maps and compasses this upcoming week to map and determine locations of places and objects both around Lakeview and the entire U.S. next week.

They are learning how to take and make a map bearing by using their compasses. Students will map the Lakeview area and determine distances based on their orientation.

Urbas - Science Week of May 11 - 17

Students have almost finished with their studies of the universe and will be starting  a "Mapping and Topography" unit next week. This way they will have an excellent idea of directions using the night sky in addition to the use of a compass and cardinal directions.

Urbas - Science Week of May 4 - 10

Starlab will be in the classroom this upcoming week. Students will put the knowledge they have learned about stars into practice inside the Dome next week.

Where did all the desks go?

Urbas - Science Week of April 27 - May 3

Sixth grade has begun their investigations of the Universe and stars and this week will be measuring altitude using an Astrolabe, using their Star Finder's, and measuring and finding the distance to a "star" in the classroom.

Urbas - Science Week of April 20 - 26

Students this week in science started their investigations into the universe and stars. They will be working with constellations and learning the nature and make up of stars themselves.

This weekend on Saturday and Sunday night we will be treated to a rare treat of a meteor shower between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. It is the Lyrid Meteor Shower and with a new moon, if we have clear nights, there will be an average of 20 - 30 meteors every hour. Hope for clear weather!

Urbas - Science Week of April 13 - 19

Students have almost completely finished with the Color & Light unit and this week are moving into Astronomy.

They will begin their investigations of stars and the universe.

What is really out there?

Urbas - Science Week of April 5 - 12

Students this week came back from Spring Break and continued to focus on Color & Light. This week they worked with colored filters to examine the primary colors of light and mirrors to see the relationship between the angles of incidence and reflection.

Next week they will examine color in depth and focal points or various lenses.

There will also be a quiz on Friday, April 12th, and the study guide can be found in my classroom or on my BLOG.

Urbas - Science Week of 3/23 - 4/5

Students are continuing their investigations of color and light by
creating the visible light spectrum using prisms this week. When they return from Spring Break, they will be seeing how light is affected by various shades of color and reflection and refraction.

Today as a final project they will all disappear for a week.

Enjoy break!

Urbas - Science Week of Mardh 16 - 23

Students finished a series of experiments designed to answer a problem this week and did a great job. Next week we continue our investigations of light and examine prisms and the speed of light and look at the human eye, no, not one of theirs.

Science Club also starts this week and everyone is invited to join.

Stay tuned.

Urbas - Science Week of March 9 - 15

Students this week have been taking their ISAT tests and have finished for this year!

The students have started participating in a series of experiments called Physics Quest where they are trying to solve a problem by doing four experiments in class with their teams. We will finish next week and see what the results are.

Enjoy the weekend!

Urbas - Science Week of March 2 - 8

Students this week will be continuing their studies of the EM spectrum and light and color.

The sixth graders will also be taking their ISAT tests and are encouraged to do their best.

Have a relaxing three day weekend!

Urbas Science Week of Feb. 24 - March 1

Students this week have finished a short examination of the Natural Resources that are important to us. Ask about that leaky faucet or how much gas costs or where we get our electricity, they may have some interesting answers.

Next week starts the unit on "Color and Light" in which students will examine all aspects of light, both pigments and visible light.

Urbas - Science Week of Feb. 17 - 23

Pictured on the left are a group of students that just completed an activity called "Precious Pretzels Fuel Conservation" and Officer DeFores of the CPD. It seems a couple of students may have received speeding tickets during the activity. Just kidding! Actually they were working out steps per pretzel between Home and Nearville like MPG.

Now if we could get them to speed it up a little!

There is also an Extra Credit opportunity available next weekend and information can be
found on my Homepage.

Urbas - Science Week of Feb. 10 - 16

The results are in!

Score: Students 1, Earthquakes 29.

Yes, only one tower construction was able to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake this week. The students did a great job on their constructions, but its back to the drawing board. Oh the humanity!

Students have begun their study of fossil fuels and will be looking at available resources and supplies.
This next week they will be working with coal, oil, and natural gas by identifying resource locations, mapping those resources, and mining for results

Urbas - Science Week of Feb. 3 - 9

This upcoming week in Science student towers will be tested to see how well they can withstand Mr. Urbas's awesome Earthquake Machine. Students have worked this week to build a tower capable of escaping a magnitude 9 earthquake. Wait until you see the results next week.

Urbas - Science Week of Jan. 27 - Feb. 3

Students next week will start of the construction of their earthquake towers. Student teams will be attempting to engineer a tower capable of withstanding an earthquake of a magnitude 9. Stay tuned for some rockin and rollin. Pictures to follow next week.

Urbas - Science 1/20 - 26

Whose fault is it anyway?

Students have been learning about the Earth's faults and they agree, there are many. Next week they will be acting Seismologists and responsible for finding the location of an earthquake located somewhere in the U.S.

Keep you ear to the ground, but not too close!

Urbas - Science Week of Jan. 13 - 19

Students continue their investigations of the plates and earthquakes. This week they will focus on P & S waves and how to predict the epicenter of an earthquake. On Friday the 20th, they will take a short quiz. Look for the study guide on my BLOG.

Urbas - Science Week of Jan. 6 - 12

Students have started the year studying the Earth. They will be examining the layers, faults, Tectonic plates, and how physical processes cause earthquakes and tsunami's. Stay tuned!