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James Holmes' sixth-grade science class at Colegrove Park Elementary School invited second-graders to learn about waves.
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Colgrove Park Sixth-Graders Get to Teach Wave Science

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Sixth-grader Emily Cooper, left, shines a flashlight on a mirror for a demonstration on light waves as Zoe Ramsden explains the experiment.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Armed with Slinkys and a microphone, James Holmes' Grade 6 science class taught second-graders about waves.

Holmes said pupils planned their lessons from the ground up prior to Tuesday's class at Colgrove Park Elementary School.

"I just thought this was a neat way for them to start learning about waves, to have them physically plan a lesson," Holmes said. "We have some cool activities that demonstrate sound waves, light waves, and more."

The sixth-graders used Slinkys, coiled wire toys, to show the properties of waves. They decided to take a hands-on approach and invite the second-graders to the front of the class to experiment. The lesson was further entertaining since each child was also adorned with interesting headgear for "hat day."

They demonstrated the power of sound waves with a chime and the magic of reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

Sixth-grader Zoe Ramsden said she enjoyed being the teacher for a change and channeling her inner performer.

"It was really nice being the teacher because I'm used to sitting down and listening very carefully," Zoe said. "It is just a nice change of pace, and it's like I am in charge and I get to let out my inner actor."

Fellow sixth-grader Emily Cooper said she hopes that the knowledge imparted to her younger schoolmates will be helpful in their educational future.

"It is cool that they get to learn this stuff now so when they get older they already know about it a little bit," Emily said.

Holmes said the student-driven class came out of teacher workshops focusing on ways to "get teachers to talk less and have kids talk and interact more." He said this gives students a stronger grasp on the curriculum.

He added that the process is a learning experience for everyone.

"I am happy that the kids of stepped up to the plate," Holmes said. "This is really my first time trying this and I am not afraid to make mistakes ... this is kids teaching kids and it is exciting."


Tags: Colegrove Park,   school program,   STEM,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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