We investigated the secret coded messages in the song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. This song was known as a “spiritual” and was sung by enslaved people to help send messages about how to escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad.

Here is a modern musician covering this song. What secret messages can you interpret? (Hint: the “drinking gourd” is a reference to a constellation containing the North Star).

Our artists have been hard at work creating their own versions of this wave painting! We used acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and even toothbrushes to add texture to our paintings!

Stay tuned to see our results!

Have you ever heard the theory that your tongue has different ‘zones’ that taste foods more strongly? This is a controversial Scientific theory that we put to the test today! Using a sour candy, we examined whether it tasted different when we held it on each area of our tongue. We learned that the sour taste in candy usually comes from an acid (citric, malic, or lactic).

Our questions that we will continue exploring:

-Why do people pucker their lips/close their eyes when they taste something sour?

-What is the most sour tasting candy on Earth?

-Why do we like things that taste sour or spicy, even though they might hurt or be unpleasant?

Do you chew gum? Have you ever stepped in gum? Last week, our writers explored whether gum should be allowed in schools. We discussed the PROs and CONs of chewing gum, including:

-studies have indicated that chewing mint flavoured gum may help with alertness and fatigue

-some psychologists and teachers believe that gum helps increase focus and reduces anxiety

-gum can be used as a ‘fidget’ for kinetic learners

-gum can be a huge problem in terms of litter and clean-up

-gum is not environmentally friendly since it is made of plastic/rubber like substances

-gum is dangerous because it can be unsanitary and spread illness

What do you think? Our writers are responsible for defending their opinions.

Yesterday, our class investigated the theory/conspiracy that all Skittles are actually the same flavour. Many people believe that all Skittles are the same flavour, but we perceive them as tasting different because of the colour and scent of the candy!

We tried to prove or disprove this theory by doing a few experiments. First, we tasted the Skittles normally (our control).

Next, we tried tasting the Skittles while removing our sense of smell (plugging our noses). We noticed that the taste of the Skittles was reduced dramatically, because our senses of smell and taste are very connected!

Finally, we tried closing our eyes and guessing what flavour we were eating. Some people believe that your brain automatically associates a colour with a flavour (ex: yellow = lemon flavour).

What do you think? Is this theory accurate? Or just an internet rumour?

Hi, marine biologists! Check out these VR (virtual reality, 360 degrees) videos of some aquariums around the world! Remember, also be mindful to take what you see online with a “grain of salt” (meaning, use your best judgement to tell if something is accurate).

These videos work best on a mobile device or tablet.

We’ll be exploring the strange, wonderful, and interesting creatures that call the ocean their home. But how deep is the ocean? And how much is still unexplored by humans? Check out this video to get an idea of depth and breadth of the ocean!

Today for Brain Breakfast, we read Such a Good Boy. In the book, a very well-behaved dog decides that he wants to ‘let loose’ for the first time in his life. He rolls in the mud, barks at cars, smells garbage, and has an amazing time just being a dog. We discussed how sometimes, we all need to take a break from trying to be perfect.

Check out the video below of another dog deciding that he just wants to have fun (during an agility challenge at a dog show):

Thank you to all of our Garden Club members! Everyone worked very hard this week preparing the garden for the winter season. We worked to remove weeds, invasive species, and even found some potatoes in the dirt!

Garden Club is on Tuesdays/Thursdays, rain or shine. Please feel free to bring your own gardening gloves, and dress for the weather!