This year at Link, we’ve taken a hands on approach to science utilizing all of our local resources whenever possible!
Our Environmental Science students have spent many hours in the forest and the greenhouse learning about and testing every aspect of the scientific method while growing their own local and sustainable foods and fertilizers. We’ve discussed many overarching topics in science such as cycles, matter and energy, cause and effect relationships, systems and models, structure and function, and stability and change. The greenhouse has been the perfect laboratory to do so!
Pictured here, students take part in daily monitoring and maintenance of the plants (grown from seed), worms and vermicompost, and the “bioreactor”. Experiments in progress include variables of temperature, humidity, UV light, types of soils, types of fertilizers, varying types of plants, watering methods, and direct and indirect sunlight.
Our Integrated Chemistry and Physics class has focused on Newtonian physics and classical mechanics—all things in motion! We’ve explored the physics of river travel and mountain biking and are currently studying forces as they relate to skiing and snowboarding. Pictured here, students determine the rate of acceleration of the snowboarder in order to determine the force of friction and the coefficient of friction between the snowboard and the fresh snow. Video software allows us to extend our laboratory out into the field!
-Rick Bieterman, Science Teacher
