District News

Bernardsville Middle School students were eager to remain focused on their science studies, even though the Thanksgiving break was days away. Diversity of Life is the unit that 6th graders have been working on over the past few weeks, expanding their knowledge of  domains and kingdoms. As a subsection of those classifications, last week they embarked on the world of plants. 

Divided into pairs and small groups, BMS students were engaged in a science lab where they dissected flowers. Teachers Katie Reilly and Julie-Ann Rounsaville set the learning objectives centered on building a deeper understanding of the relationships between flowers and pollinators.  

Students utilized elements of the scientific process through observation, asking questions, and making hypotheses, as well as analyzing results after completing their lab experiment. “Hands-on science labs are so well-received. In Science 6, students are able to do labs a few times a week,” said Reilly. “In addition to the subject material they are learning, it is wonderful to see them work together, collaborate, gain confidence in a variety of roles, and have fun!”

In this particular plant lab, students were given carnations to dissect. They observed and drew their flower, labeling the parts from petals to stem. Then they carefully removed the sepals and counted them. They continued many steps within the experimental process, dissecting the stamen, pistil, stigma, and ovules. Once they completed the lesson the class gathered to discuss, and further their understanding of successful plant pollination and its impact on the community at large.