6th Grade Field Trip - Wind Turbine - March 23, 2013 - STEM

Today, Temecula STEM club drove out to Palm Springs to learn about wind turbines. We all got on a bus, and our tour guide told us all about what the turbines do, why they are there, how the work, and how they effect the environment. We all learned so much about the multitude of tests and experiments that need to be done in order to build a wind farm, and how much renewable energy helps the environment. We also talked about a new plan to place these huge wind turbines in the ocean to provide more clean energy to towns like Los Angeles.

Met our STEM group at the Palm Springs Visitor Center. We went on a 2 hour Bus Tour of the Wind Farms with an Awesome tour guide, Ken Huskey. Ken had an abundant amount of information for all who attended. Here are some notes I took:

Wind farm 3-23-13 

1926 first wind turbine till 1942 Gen. George patten ww11 got rid of turbine. 

Wind turbine 35 % wind factor work only 1/3 of time. 

Turbines not working because short ones 14 mph to operate. Or because of the heat.

55ph will shut down so won't heat up and start fire. 

3000 turbines 6000 mega watts of electricity 

Anemometer measures wind

Below 8 mph not enough need to use pitch change angle rotor. 

2 mil $ per megawatt 

2 blades cost less to make and transport but harvest less energy. Makes more noise bc has to work harder 

700 ft tall 600 ft wide

Turbines in rows because micro siding creates a vortex . 1762 ft apart depending on size 

Cape wind in water 85% wind capacity 

Wind technicians 

Aquifers underground water 50-300ft . 

Wind gypsies - clean turbines blades so it runs more smoothly

Small skinny towers are anemometers 

6th Grade Field Trip - Forest Lawn Glendale 3-14-13

Meet the Artists @ Forest Lawn 

http://www.forestlawn.com/

Forest Lawn - Glendale - Great Mausoleum

Marc Chagall
The Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale is exhibiting a glimpse into Russian-born painter Marc Chagall's early works.  On display are 65 exquisite etchings and aquatints that spotlight the Chagall's work in the mid to late 1920’s, when he moved to Paris following the Russian Revolution.  This carefully selected display focuses on the artist's personal and artistic development from his humble beginnings in the embattled Belarus region of Russia to his eventual contribution and impact on the world of art, which still resonates today.  Chagall remains one of the most popular and respected artists of the twentieth century and this exhibition provides an extraordinary look at some of his formative years.   

Forest Lawn - Glendale - Great Mausoleum

This stained glass masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci's immortal painting was crafted in Italy by Rosa Caselli Moretti. Using Leonardo's own sketches, she sought to capture for posterity the original appearance of the now damaged and faded painting.
 

6th Grade Classes - My Learning Connection

1st Semester Tariq took: Egypt, Science, Hands on Math, Creative Writing, & Team Building

2nd Semester: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Wizards Academy for Muggles, Hands on Math, Creative Writing, & Science

http://www.mylearningconnection.net/

​My Learning Connection allows children of all ages to learn through interactive, hands on, project based classes. I use a cooperative learning style that offers students a place to discover independence as well as how to work within a group or team setting. These classes are designed to fit the needs of all learning styles. Come join us for a funfilled adventure in learning. Check out each class page for more detailed information.

​

Science:
The Scientific Method…. What’s it all about?  We will talk about the experiment and its dynamics, make our predictions / hypotheses, have fun with the experiment, then examine our predictions and form a conclusion. What should we change, do differently? All of these questions will be explored in this fun, hands on class.  The goal is to help students develop critical-thinking skills and strengthen their understanding of science concepts.  Using general science, life science, earth and physical science as our base some of the things we will experiment with are the properties of Earth materials, motions and forces, changes of properties in matter, light, heat, electricity, magnetism and motion of objects.

Hands on Math:
In this class we will explore all kinds of upper level math in an interesting and hands on way. Each activity is designed to tap into the student’s curiosity of math and help them discover meaningful patterns and relationships between things. The hands on format of these activities allow students to work as individuals, with partners or in-groups. They will be able to make their own independent explorations and think beyond their own solutions. Math tools such as the compass, protractor and calculator will be a big part of these activities. 

Creative Writing:
In this creative writing class we will explore the world of words in their many different forms. This is not a "technical" writing class although we will learn how to use words to describe things, learn how to build a good paragraph and achieve a variety of writing styles. The goal for this class is to allow the students to be free in their writing, start thinking in creative ways and have fun with it. Hands on activities, group projects and shared individual ideas will be the bases for this class. ​

Wizards:

This is a theme-based class, revolving around the wonderful writings of J.K. Rowling's and the magical world of Hogwarts. This class uses language arts, math, science and history to explore

this fascinating world. We use a project based, hands

on, interactive, learning approach. We will make an 

activity book which will include all of our games, 

projects, activities and adventures.

Percy Jackson:

This is a theme-based class, based on the best selling books by Rick Riordan revolving around the adventures of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This class uses language arts, math, science and history to explore this ancient world. We use a project based, hands on, interactive, learning approach. We will make an ​ activity book which will include all of our games, projects, activities and adventures.

Becki Owens

​​

   I have been homeschooling my two boys for the past nine years, since they were in Kindergarten, and loving every minute of it. Learning is an endless adventure and we like to be creative and have lots of fun. I am definitely a homeschool advocate and will always encourage parents to discover the joy of their children and their unique abilities.

  

   I have lived in Murrieta for 35 years and in fact, still live on the same 10 acres where I grew up. I have a BA of Art from San Diego State University, an AA degree in Art History and Design, I am licensed in Educational Kinesiology / Brain Gym, certified in Brain Behavior / Brain Profiling and Learning Styles. I have developed workshops and classes not only for kids but also adults. I have trained teachers in classroom development, organization and achieving student success, implemented after school and home school enrichment programs, assisted corporations in team building activities and workshops and co-founded a non-profit corporation that deals with how food, drugs, chemicals, and environmental toxins effect learning and behavior. ​

    

   With my degree in Art / Art History and training in personality and learning styles, I believe I have a unique perspective on how to create a positive learning experience for all people.

6th Grade Class - The Yoga Collective - Feb. 27, 2013

The Youth Yoga @ The Yoga Collective is doing the Harlem Shake - Yoga Style

http://www.thetyc.com/

Youth Yoga (Ages 11-17) (Six Week Course)

Youth Yoga offers a fun and light-hearted approach to practicing yoga with a group of friends. Each class includes a mix of new and familiar asanas, playful partner poses, and empowering messages, along with a lively music playlist.

6th Grade Class - STEM Temecula Christmas Parade - 12-7-12

PARADE

The parade has always been one of our favorite group activities. It is so nice to get all dressed up to spread holiday cheer to our community.The kids did a great job (as always) and our fabulous parents joined in too. We really are very fortunate to have such supportive families. We wish all of you a safe and joyous holiday season. 

Article and Picture of STEM in the Press Enterprise:

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/temecula/temecula-headlines-index/20121207-temecula-parade-lightens-old-towns-holiday-spirits.ece

TEMECULA: Parade lightens Old Town’s Holiday spirits

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BY NELSY RODRIGUEZ 

STAFF WRITER 

December 07, 2012; 09:32 PM 

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As bright and sparkly as a Christmas tree, the annual Temecula Lights Parade kicked off the holiday season Friday, Dec. 7, in Old Town.

Thousands of residents from every city in southwest Riverside County lined the streets of Old Town as the parade offered a feast for the eyes and ears.

“It's beautiful, look at all the people,” said Dean Savatmand of Murrieta as a float carrying a snow maker passed, shooting white snow flakes into the air. “Some people have never seen the snow.”

The parade featured old-time favorites such as a pack of dachshunds, numerous high school bands and cheerleaders in flirty festive costumes.

Other parade standards included members of Temecula City Council who stopped to thank the crowds for their support, and reminded them of other holiday activities. They offered blessings and well-wishes and even led the crowds to sing Christmas carols.

“The kids love it,” said new Temecula resident Lisa Pizdar, who brought her best friend's grandchildren to the parade. “They're out there break dancing in the street, having a blast.”

The sights also included vintage cars dressed in lights, kids groups, public safety displays and a bevy of Santa beards.

And, much to the pleasure of 2-year-old Audrey Grilley, several buses with lighted, spinning wheels. The excited toddler told her mom, Jessica Grilley, that she had no interest in meeting Santa but would have loved to ride on a lighted bus.

“That's the reason we're here,” she said. “She loves lights. She's really into it.”

On Friday, Dec. 14, Temecula will present a winter wonderland block party featuring kid’s activities, snow, Santa visits and other treats. That event also will be held in Old Town and is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

6th Grade Field Trip - Bates Nut Farm - November 8, 2012

http://batesnutfarm.biz/

Bates Nut Farm Educational Tours

We offer a variety of group tours and educational experiences that are enjoyed by all ages.

“Nuts For You” Tour: Year round except in October

Located just minutes from Escondido, a visit to Bates Nut Farm gives your group the opportunity to spend time on the farm.  Learn about the history of the Bates family and farm, starting in 1921 with Gilbert Bates and his “Walnut Slope Ranch”. Learn about how the ranch evolved from walnut trees to the retail business it is today. Find out how about how nuts get from the tree to your table.  Your tour includes:

• Bates Nut Farm History
• California Agriculture Nut History
• Learn how various nuts are grown and harvested
• Identification of various nuts
• Nutritional values & uses
• Behind the scenes tour of the roasting, packaging and storage area at Bates Nut Farm
• Marketing from the farm to the market
• Hayride
• Bag of corn to feed the animals
• Personal snack bag

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Notes From My Cell: 

Has seeds and start with flowers. Are fruits.

All pumpkins are girls...

Sisters of pumpkin: 
Knucklehead, ghost pumpkin, fairy tail or Cinderella pumpkin, on inside of pumpkin is orange no matter what color on the outside.

Cousins of pumpkin, squash, turbin squash, watermelon, gourds, cucumber - all fruit.

Big mac pumpkin - Plant on June 1. Harvest on Sept 27.

90-120 days to grow pumpkins.

"Jack be little" pumpkin takes 4 months to grow. 

Bottom of pumpkin was flower. 

Agriculture - farming of vegetable fruits nuts. CA #1 agriculture state in US. 

Nuts grow on trees. Almonds, Pistachios, Cotton. CA leading state to produce cotton to ship. 

Will never find a raw pistachio. Has to be roasted because of fungus.

How to harvest nuts- big tractor and shake the tree and nuts fall to ground. Machine vacuum them up off the floor. 

Small amt of almonds has as much fiber as an apple. 

Cashews are grown in Brazil on trees. On tree is fruit. One fruit produces 1 cashew. Fruit is very toxic to touch. Can eat the fruit on inside. Only workers become immune to it.

Pecans. Georgia, North Carolina.

Brazil nuts, pine nuts, hazelnut. Macadamia nuts have the highest fat content. 

Peanuts are root vegetables. They are related to green been. Legume. 

6th Grade Field Trip - Brass Rubbings Medieval Times - November 1, 2012

Many old English churches house monumental brasses.  Made of flat sheets of brass, the pieces are engraved with figures, coats of arms and sometimes inscriptions.  They are set in a stone slab on the floor or wall of the church.  Some are over 600 years old.

In great Britain during the Middle Ages the social systems were such that each local lord of the manor dominated the village and the church.  When the lord died, he was commemorated in his local abbey, cathedral, or village church according to his status.

Through the twelfth century stone and marble memorials, mostly recumbent statues were the usual forms of memorial. These statues filled every available space, wore badly and probably were not the medium for eternal memorials.

Memorial engravings on brass plates were more durable.  Space savers, they could be walked upon and cost no more than marble or stone.

Brass plates were brought from Cologne, France.  Transportation costs were enormous.  Brass was brought slowly and laboriously by horse and cart or down river by boat to the sea, then by boat across the channel and the North Sea and finally along muddy, stony roads by horse and cart to the engravers’ workshops.

The earliest English brasses date from 1275.  The early fifteenth century produced the finest monumental brasses.  The indents in the floors of the early churches remind us of the thousands and thousands of brasses.  Many of the finest were destroyed by the wholesale destruction of the great abbeys, the Cromwellians who plundered and the Royalists who used brass for munitions.  Elizabeth I issued edicts strictly forbidding any damage or mutilation of monuments to the dead and demanded restoration and repair of damaged monuments.  Brasses that survived other disasters offended Victorians who ripped them up and laid tile.

From the remaining military, ecclesiastical and civilian brasses, we learn much about the life, fashion, armor and customs of the villages, churches, and castles of the Middle Ages.

http://stlukeslb.org/StLukes/brass.html

Brass Rubbing - Griffon

Mama's Brass Rubbing

Description:  See a display of over 100 brass markers depicting medieval life.  Make waxed reproductions. (A piece of history you can take home).  Victorian Tea by Reservation.

Event Maximum and Minimum Costs: Admission to the exhibit is free.  Cost for materials start as low as $5.00.  Group rates for rubbing and for tea.  Mats and ready-made rubbings also available for sale.

Group rate details:  Groups of eight or more by reservation only.  Includes docent talk.  Tea and Rubbing--Adults:  $23.00, children (K-12) $13.00.  Rubbing only:  $6.50 (for any brass with standard price up to $8.00).

Event Website Address:  http://stlukeslb.org/StLukes/brass.html

Event Ticket Link:

Event Date:  October 24 - November 17

Event Start Time: 9:30 AM 

Event End Time: 4 PM

Event Phone number:              (562)439-9496      

Event Email:  brass.rubbing.lb@gmail.com

Event Location:  525 E. 7th St., Long Beach CA 90813-4503