The Davis STEM Lab is a bright, fun room with colorful robots, plants, a fish tank, beakers, and lots of science supplies.  All students study science in their classroom with their teacher, and the STEM Lab provides additional exploration and teaching support.  In particular, there are some experiments and activities that are too messy for the regular classroom, or require too much set-up or clean-up that are perfect for a STEM Lab!  Davis’ amazing Science Coordinator, Mrs. Isaacs, collaborates with teachers to provide curriculum-enhancing experiences aligned with grade level standards. She strives to make science fun and accessible for all children.

STEM Lab activities change from year to year, but here are some examples from years past.

Younger children learn to measure, classify, and observe using colored crystals. They study states of matter by making Oobleck, a gooey slime substance.  They learn about how oil spills affect a bird feather’s ability to float, warm, and fly. They use pinwheels to investigate the physics of motion. They also study fossils, germs, magnets, rocks, and weather through hands-on activities and experiments.

In the older grades they study earth formations with big trays of dirt, clay, and sand, learning how wind and water erodes.  They measure and compare the pH of different sources of water to determine the survivability of different types of water sources.  They learn the physics behind the red color of fish living deep in the kelp forest. And they study sound, soil, pulleys, density, adaptations, craters, and perform plant dissections.