UTES Social Studies

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UT Elementary just finished a fantastic Science Expo Week which included guest speakers and assemblies on life, physical, and earth science, and our annual Science Fair and Family Night. Hundreds of parents, students, and community members attend and participate in hands-on science experiments and visit the Science Fair exhibits. Grade 3-5 students are required to complete science experiments, reports, or demonstrations. Our UTES Math-Science Vertical Team manages to bring in dozens of speakers, volunteers, and fair judges. It is truly remarkable.

Purely by chance, I found a fascinating special on PBS’s Nova called Bombing Hitler’s Dams. For older students interested in WWII, it is the perfect combination of science and history. A Cambridge professor conducts his own massive “science fair-style” experiment in an attempt to recreate the “bouncing bombs” that damaged Germany’s dam and helped turn the tide of the war. My students enjoyed watching the historical footage and the re-creation of bombs that skip across water like a stone. All you middle and high school science teachers, don’t be surprised if you see some UTES alumni create a similar science fair experiment next year. This Nova video made the perfect history-science connection.

Check out this and other PBS specials that make terrific social studies enrichment at

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/bombing-hitler-dams.html