Telstar Middle School 6th graders Nova Roberts, Wyatt Davis, Sophie Stevens, Sydney Swan, Gabby Hatstat, and Aubrey White are ready to learn.

BETHEL — How do you get middle school kids excited about Science?

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB .

Telstar Middle School hosted the Maine Mobile BIOLAB and the staff was very excited to show students and teachers the experiments it provided them. The mobile BIOLAB may have been seen parked outside the new outdoor learning space. Every middle school grade got to go inside the Bio lab and experiment with the materials they had there. Thanks to Mrs. Luetje, who noticed that the Maine Mobile BIOLAB was traveling and filled out an application for them to come to our school, TMS got picked. TMS was also the Maine Mobile BIOLABs first school visited this year.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB came to provide hands-on learning experiments and it was enjoyable and educational. Everyone was engaged and heard so many good reports about the Bio Lab.

The 6th graders experimented with physical and chemical changes by mixing the provided ingredients and watching the reactions. One of the students interviewed said they were able to turn something purple with iodine.

The 7th graders experimented with water filters. They made gravity-fed water filters where the water goes in the top and lets the filter do its job so that the water comes out cleaner than before. The 7th grade science teacher Mr. Eliot, mentioned that he did this experiment when he was a student and found it interesting to watch his students also get to do it.

Telstar 8th graders Silas Wills, and Tyler Johnson engaged in learning.

The 8th graders got the amazing opportunity to go to the Maine Mobile BIOLAB with both Mr.Hedden and Mrs.Carson. The activities they did were the same physical and chemical changes experiment that the 6th graders did and a second experiment that showed what happens to the brain when the head is hit. For example, falling off a bike with a helmet vs without a helmet.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB had students and staff very excited the week they came. The staff that were included in the Bio Lab were Mr. Hedden, Mrs. Carson, Mr. Eliot, and Mrs. Doyle. They all agreed that they thought it was exciting to see the students have hands-on learning and a small but advanced learning space. Mr. Hedden even said he was impressed with the use of space inside the Bio Lab. While teacher opinions are important, student opinions are also important.

A couple of teachers students who stuck out to them the most during the Maine Mobile BIOLAB . Afterward,  those students were asked what they thought about the experience, what they thought was most interesting, and what their favorite part was.

Eighth graders Natalie Phillip and Allexys Gordon were asked. Natalie thought it was good to learn about concussions
because most kids play sports and are at risk of getting them. They both agreed that the space they got to work and do these experiments was very interesting and fun. Allexys also mentioned she loved the color-changing pencils they gave every single one of us.

Seventh graders Carter Fortier and Ruth Snogren  thought the science experiment they got to do was really fun.

Sixth grader Noah Indermuehle  said he really enjoys science and he especially enjoyed the part where he got to experiment with chemical change. Sixth grader Cameron Ellis thought it was great that the entire middle school got to experience this.

Thomas Gammon listens to directions while fellow 6th grader Cameron Ellis conducts the experiment.

Overall all students and staff had a wonderful time and everyone was engaged. TMS is thankful that Mrs. Luetje and The Maine Mobile BIOLAB let the entire middle school experience this. TMS loves science!