Each month the Splendora ISD Board of Trustees shines the spotlight on one of their campuses. This month Greenleaf Elementary Principal, Judy Jones, took the opportunity to recognize her Science Lab Instructor, Donna Smith and fifth grade student, Caity Gatlin.

Ms. Smith brought one of the fifth grade lab experiments to the meeting and let board members see firsthand what students were learning. “As the lab instructor, I believe that the more activities the students can do, the greater the opportunity we are giving them to achieve Commended scores,” commented Ms. Smith.

Ms. Smith then turned over the demonstration to fifth grade student, Caity Gatlin, who had made a perfect score on her TAKS science test and was commended for her scores. The young instructor gave each board member a pie tin filled with an artificial palm tree and roots covered by sand. Board members were then asked to blow through a straw over the sand to uncover one of the tree’s roots. The exercise demonstrated how wind carries the earth (sand) away and deposits it in a different place and how it affects the shape of the land over time through weathering and erosion. Additionally, Miss Gatlin explained that wind erosion jeopardizes life of plants and trees by moving earth and exposing roots.

Greenleaf Elementary fifth graders participated in this activity during their regular curriculum science class, but also attend the science lab three times a week. In April, all Splendora ISD fifth graders had the opportunity to attend the Science Blitz (activities brought from all three elementary campuses) and perform this activity as a Science TAKS review for Weathering and Erosion. Administrators and teachers are hoping that these activities, as well as strengthening the classroom instruction, will result in higher academic performance and achievement.