James H. Boyd Intermediate School held its annual Cranberry Day festivities on Nov. 21 in the school’s cafeteria, featuring a morning of different exciting STEM activities for third graders, all based around cranberries. This beloved event has been organized by teacher Liz Held for the last 15 years.

Students prepared for Cranberry Day by reading about cranberries and exploring their significance. On the day itself, they rotated through a variety of engaging stations centered around cranberries. These stimulating activities seamlessly integrate concepts from both math and science, allowing the third graders to apply their learning in a fun and interactive way. Some highlights included an experiment to explore the chemistry of cranberry juice, designing rafts and three-dimensional shapes using cranberries, and using catapults to aim cranberries at targets. Students also determined if cranberries were fresh by bouncing them and investigating whether they sank or floated. As part of these hands-on experiences, the third graders utilized scientific inquiry skills, such as observation, predicting outcomes and organizing data. They also engaged in mathematical practices like estimating and measuring to complete various tasks, activities that serve to reinforce many skills and concepts taught in the classroom.

“These engaging experiences not only enhance understanding but also ignite curiosity and excitement in the learning process,” Held said.

Date Added: 11/21/2024