MOST POPULAR VIDEOS

• 1:57 Week 13: Just the 2 days of Nov. 22 & 23

  This shortened week's slideshow includes: 8th grade made models to show how DNA sequences code for protein structures; 7th grade explored cooperatively and shared their understanding of how carbohydrates and proteins are broken down in the stomach and small intestines so that cells can undergo cellular respiration, as well as compared the cellular structures of various plants; 6th graders cooperatively explored as partners and then shared their understanding of the world's prevailing wind patterns to help understand the role of the Coriolis Effect.

  Uploaded Nov 26, 2021 by Gerard Kovach
• 2:04 Week 23: Feb. 22-25, 2022

  This weeks slideshow highlights: 6th graders learning about ground water formation through cooperative group experimental investigations as part of their SEPUP geology unit "Earth's Resources"; a couple of 6th graders eager to share their reasoning in front of the class; 8th graders began a cooperative group project creating their own I-Movies to culminate their SEPUP biology unit exploring "Evolution"; a couple of appearances of our class Bearded Dragon, Curtiss, who speaking of Evolution she seems to be a glimpse back millions of years ago to the age of dinosaurs; 7th grade culminated their biology unit on "Reproduction" by taking their comprehensive final exam this week--I will make sure to highlight them more next week! Thank you for checking in with our JHS Science classes:)

  Uploaded Feb 26, 2022 by Gerard Kovach
• 4:48 Weeks 1-4 of Qtr 2

  In science class, students have been put in the drivers' seats as scientists and engineers by taking their own research on their own self-selected topic to explore as their STEAM Fair Project, and devising in writing their own hypothesis and purpose statements. These statements serve as the foundation for now using the NGSS Science & Engineering Practices to test their hypothesis through experimental design or the engineering design process. This is the heart of NGSS, which allows students to explore scientific phenomena and engage in the same skills required of professional scientists and engineers who are working to find solutions to the most dire global problems of the 21st century!
  
  The slide show attached shows just a few examples of the many different problems that Decatur Middle School students have chosen to investigate, which encompass various disciplines of STEAM! I can't wait to share what they discover in the months ahead! I am so proud of the work the students have been putting in the past several weeks!
  
  In the meantime, I wish everyone a well deserved winter break and blessed New Year as we enter 2021!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Mr. Kovach

  Uploaded Dec 17, 2020 by Gerard Kovach
• 00:21 4th Grade Waves Exploration Lab with Ropes and Slinkies Featured
  Uploaded Apr 13, 2022 by Ryan Cherry
• 00:24 Ice Vs. Salt Lab Featured

  This week we learned about how the molecules in NaCl and H2O interact with each other in order to cause ice to melt. We conducted 2 different experiments to see how Salt and Ice interact and then discussed what happens on a molecular level building on our understanding of molecules attracting to one another.

  Uploaded Feb 05, 2022 by Ryan Cherry
• 4:53 June 6-10, 2022 6th Grade Energy Fair: Room 103

  This slideshow highlights our 6th grade class from Room 103 presenting their Energy Fair Projects at our First Ever Decatur Classical Energy Fair! Students worked in cooperative groups to showcase their research and models on various forms of energy and how we can use renewable energy sources to meet all of our energy needs and make our world more sustainable for the future! A special thank you to Decatur Parent, Ms. Megan Zack, Associate Partner and Director of Sustainability for Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, which specializes in innovative green building technologies, and also Ms. Liz Wimmer, Program Manager for Illinois Green Alliance, who took time out of their days to also present at our Decatur Energy Fair!

  Uploaded Jun 11, 2022 by Gerard Kovach
• 00:54 Southwest State project Featured

  Students researched information about the state of their choice from the Southwest Region and created some great presentations. Check out the video above to see some highlights!

  Uploaded Feb 05, 2022 by Ryan Cherry
• 1:25 Tessellations

  As part of their assessment for a unit on Rigid Transformations, 7th graders created Tessellations by hand and submitted pictures of their work.

  Uploaded Oct 27, 2020 by Andrew Brennan
• 1:57 Week 11: Monday November, 8th - Wednesday, November 10th

  This shortened week's slideshow includes: 7th grade class working cooperatively to set up an experiment to test carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen release by from samples of plants taken from our aquatic ecosystem set up in our lab; 6th graders checking out some of the new STEM books and magazines that were donated to our classroom (thank you parents and students who donated to our classroom!); 6th grades eager to share their ideas during a whole class discussion; our Decatur First Lego League after school teams gearing up for competition by constructing and programming their robots; and some close up pics of our class baby turtle! Thanks for checking in with us this!

  Uploaded Nov 20, 2021 by Gerard Kovach
• 2:24 Connecting to Learning No Matter Where We Are and Continuing to Build Community!
  Uploaded May 20, 2021 by Gerard Kovach