Peabody-Burns fifth grade studies craters
Peabody-Burns fifth graders began experimenting Tuesday with creating craters.
They learned about cratering this month as a geological process by reading information about it as well as watching JASON broadcasts through interactive distance learning.
During the JASON broadcasts, students watched scientists gather data about a crater in Arizona. The students, under the leadership of Tabor College student teacher Jeff MacKinnon, used impacters (meteorites) made out of fishing sinkers and modeling clay to create flour craters.
Students practiced collecting data about the depth and diameter of craters as well making observations about the process. They also measured the distance of the ejecta (material that flew out of the crater on impact).
The students were directed to create their own experiment about impact craters. They wrote a question to answer by making an experiment and then formed a hypothesis about it. Students then carried out the experiment and gathered more data.
"This (JASON experiment) gives students a great visual of how craters are created. This experiment gives the students the opportunity to gather data like scientists and experience the process of scientific inquiry," said MacKinnon.
