Recently the students of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School unveiled their annual science research projects. Students from the fifth and sixth grades participate in the annual projects, which encompass language arts, science, technology, and media research.
The students have a free range to pick their topics, and get three months of preparation time.
“[The topics] run the gamut from space to diabetes [research],” said Principal Anthony D’Angelo. “The teachers give them some guidance depending on what they are going to study in class.”
Throughout the second and third floors, a total of 150 projects are on display for the next two weeks. Parents and other students are welcomed to visit the school and take a look. Roosevelt School houses Weehawken students from third to sixth grade.
“I would like to thank all the teachers for all their hard work, and the students,” said D’Angelo.
Reports and visual aids
As part of the annual project, students must prepare a report and a visual presentation, and in order to provide uniformity, the school gives students presentation boards. However, each of the students adds their own creative touches including 3D models or other visual accents to the project.
“They all do presentations in class, and they all have to write a report,” said D’Angelo.
Both grades must include a “works cited” page on their reports, and it can’t all be from the internet.
“It was a little difficult because [the information on the internet] mostly repeated itself,” said Nicholas Ramirez, 11. Nicholas had done his research project on gymnosperms.
“Gymnosperms are a type of plant that has seeds exposed,” said Nicolas. “It was something I didn’t know about, and I thought it would be interesting.”
“I like doing projects and reports, and it teaches me something new.” – Nicholas Ramirez
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As part of his presentation board, Nicholas pasted on pine cones, which were left over from household Christmas decorations. He also used branches from the trees.
“I like doing projects and reports, and it teaches me something new,” said Nicholas.
Fire tornadoes and wind power
Many of the students’ research topics centered on different elements of biology and health study, especially of common ailments such as diabetes. Other students conducted research on the simple properties of familiar everyday elements.
Fifth grader Alec Vasconcelos did his research project on fire, and learned about fire tornadoes.
“Fire tornados are formed by one gust of air and another coming from a different way,” said Alec, 10. “I was enjoying finding very interesting facts about fire.”
He also learned that combustion is another word for burning, and about the different ways fire gets started and how it grows.
“First you need fuel, which would be [something like] a stick, and oxygen to keep it alive,” said Alec. “You need them all coming together to make fire.”
Just above Alec’s project on the third floor is sixth grader Alyssa Denfeld’s project on Wind Power.
“I did wind power because it fascinates me, and when I go to Atlantic City, I always see windmills and I wanted to know how they work,” said Alyssa, 12. “There are many kinds of windmills, and they power so much.”
Alyssa found how windmills, depending on their size, can power anything.
“The wind can power energy that provides electricity to a building,” said Alyssa.
According to Alyssa’s research, there are several windmills in the state of New Jersey, including five in Atlantic City. She also learned that wind power is quieter than a jet plane, and provided a windmill model along with her presentation board.
Alyssa, Nicholas, Alec, and their classmates’ display will be up until about mid-March. Parents and community members interested in viewing the projects can contact the school for more information at (201) 422-6140.
To reach the author, e-mail editorial@hudsonreporter.com.