Middle school science students at JPII have been exploring the wonders of the natural world through a variety of interactive and engaging activities. From experimenting with mystery substances to constructing models of tectonic forces, students are diving into STEM-based learning, acquiring critical skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and scientific reasoning.

8th Grade: Cracking “The Mystery of Matter”

Eighth-grade students recently became forensic scientists in “The Mystery of Matter” lab, where they were presented with five unknown substances and tasked with identifying each based on its physical properties and solubility in water. Among the surprises was their discovery of how one of the substances, when mixed with water, transformed into “oobleck”—a fascinating non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like both a solid and a liquid.

“This lab allows students to experience the scientific method firsthand,” explained JPII science teacher Nicole Schatzle. “They’re learning to hypothesize, test, observe, and draw conclusions—skills that are crucial in any scientific field. Plus, the unexpected results, like making oobleck, keep them engaged and make learning fun.” By testing solubility and properties, students are developing observation skills that will aid them in future scientific investigations and critical thinking.

6th Grade: Tower Building and Earthquake Exploration

Sixth graders took on a unique engineering challenge inspired by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In this activity, teams of students were asked to build the tallest possible tower using only plastic cups—without touching them with their hands! Instead, students had to rely on plastic spoons and knives to balance, stack, and stabilize their towers. This creative challenge strengthened their teamwork and problem-solving skills as they experimented with different techniques and ideas to build a stable structure.

“Activities like this show students that there’s more than one way to solve a problem,” Mrs. Schatzle said. “They learn to communicate and collaborate, which are essential skills for future STEM careers.”

As a continuation of their science curriculum, sixth graders also studied the forces and stresses that cause earthquakes and alter Earth’s crust. Using Play-doh, they created models to represent Earth’s layers and then manipulated these models to simulate different types of faults and stresses, such as compression, tension, and shear. By working hands-on with the Play-doh models, students were able to visualize and understand the dynamic forces shaping our planet.

“This exercise gives students a tangible way to understand complex geological processes,” shared Mrs. Schatzle. “They can see how stresses in the Earth’s crust can lead to faults and earthquakes, bringing textbook concepts to life.”

Building a Foundation for the Future

These activities are more than just fun; they’re foundational experiences in scientific inquiry, engineering principles, and geological understanding. Through creative, hands-on learning, students are gaining confidence and skills that will serve them in high school science, potential STEM careers, and beyond. As Mrs. Schatzle continues to design these inventive lessons, she emphasizes the importance of fostering curiosity and excitement in young learners, equipping them to approach the world with wonder and analytical minds. "These budding scientists and engineers have truly had a fantastic fall in science, and we can’t wait to see where their curiosity will lead them next," she said.