​We are kicking off the Science Olympiad season with a strong start! The Science & Arts Academy Science Olympiad Team competed in their first invitational of the season earlier this month at British International School of Chicago. 

It is with great pleasure to recognize our 3rd through 6th grade students for all their hard work put forth on their ExploraVision Science Projects.  The project encouraged our students to think beyond and design a beneficial future technology.  Our school has achieved Honorable Mentions on the following future technology ideas:

• H.I.S.C. - Health Infrared Security Camera (6th Grade)
• Current Wind (6th Grade)
• Diabeat-it (6th Grade)
• AcMD: Apparatus to clean Mine Dumps (6th Grade)

Science Olympiad Results
It was a great learning experience for all students involved in this past weekend's Science Olympiad invitational!  There were 60 amazing teams competing at  Wright  State University in Dayton, Ohio including the top teams in nation. Congrats to the SAA Varsity Team for placing 15th overall! Kaboom!

ExploraVision Science Expo
SAA science students in grades 3-6 will be sharing their ExploraVision projects in the gym next Monday, February 13th. Student teams will be presenting their work to fellow students during their science classes and lunch periods. Our Elementary Science Olympiad students will be showing and testing their "Junkyard Cars" at this same event. Families are welcome to visit the ExploraVision Expo and Science Showcase after school on February 13th until 5:00pm.  

Upcoming Author Visit
On Wednesday, February 15th, author Jessica Garrett is visiting SAA and will be speaking to grades 3-6.  Oh, Ick!: 114 Science Experiments Guaranteed to Gross You Out! is the book she'll be introducing. The title alone should be enough to spark everyone's interest! We have one copy in the library for you to peruse if you'd like to preview the book. If you've ever had any questions about gross things, this is the book for you! It features projects that cover topics like worms, ooze, and ear hair!

I'm sure you heard the announcement of Monday's trash collection of 24 kilograms (52.8 pounds) and that was JUST the lunch room. Yesterday, we reduced the total weight of trash at lunch by 11.22 pounds. Everyday, 7th and 8th grade students will be measuring the amount of trash in the lunchroom with the hopes of reducing the amount of trash collected on a daily basis. A chart has been made and will be hung in the lunch room!

Later this week, 7th and 8th grade students will be going out into the neighborhood to pick up trash. Last year, we filled an entire dumpster with collected trash just from around the Des Plaines River area. 

SAA has recently "adopted a highway" which our students will be responsible for keeping clean, starting this week. 

Mr. Bonecutter's Sixth grade students have been working on a sustainability unit.  They are preparing a class trifold on Biogeochemical Cycles and one that describes related design considerations for a long-range spacecraft.  They are also recording one-minute presentations to go along with the trifolds that they will share with our students.

Fifth Grade students will be working on an oil spill experiment and on water conservation throughout the week with Mrs. Maliwanag.

1st - 4th grade classes will be making their own recycled paper and looking at recycled plastics during their classes with Mr. Linder. 

Kindergarten classes will be planting flowers along with discussing the importance of reducing trash, electricity usage, and water. 

The Science Department has also ordered a composting unit for the entire school to start using that will accept any raw fruits and vegetables. 

Please remind your advisory students to pack lunch carefully and THINK before they pack. Remind them to use cloth napkins rather than paper, reusable plastic containers for snacks and sandwiches rather than baggies, and to turn off lights when they're leaving a room at home. 

Together, we can help this planet stay beautiful!
Happy Earth Week,
Mrs. Storiz

In science class, students took on roles as citizens and county zoning commission members to decide whether some land being sold can be rezoned from forestry and agricultural to residential use. Town members gave speeches to support their views and council members asked questions and voted. Afterward, the class discussed what the likely impact will be on the community.

We can't wait to welcome authors and Broadway performers Andrew Keenan Bolger and Kate Wetherhead to SAA on Thursday, March 12th for grades 3-8! Don't forget that if you'd like to pre-order a copy of Jack and Loisa so that you can get it signed during the author visit, your order form must be submitted by this Thursday. 

Mrs. Manley's Magnificent Mystery Prize has certainly piqued the curiosity of SAA students! During Into the Blue, one lucky winner will get to take home whatever the box contains! Will it be you? RSVP for this event and buy raffle tickets now on the ITB online portal.

5th and 6th graders went on a field trip yesterday to Robert Crown Center for Health Education, where they learned about growth and development, and were equipped with skills to positively impact the health of their mind and body.