This month, hands-on science and computational thinking took center stage across every grade level. Our 6th graders programmed Ozobots to model Earth's rotation and revolution, our 7th graders connected marine science and technology during an exciting field trip to the Virginia Aquarium and built photosynthesis models with LEGOs, and our 8th graders converted chemical energy into electricity with potato batteries.
Girls for the Win: Celebrating Our SmithTech Students!
Twenty of our SmithTech young ladies recently enjoyed a special opportunity as they attended the Girls for the Win Conference! These students were selected through a schoolwide contest, with the conference experience serving as their well-deserved prize.
Throughout the day, our students had the opportunity to explore new possibilities, build confidence, and be inspired to pursue their goals. The experience encouraged them to recognize their potential as future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
At SmithTech, we are committed to providing meaningful experiences that empower students to dream big and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. We are incredibly proud of these 20 young ladies and excited to see how they use this experience to inspire their futures!
Celebrating Our SmithTech National Junior Honor Society Inductees!
We are proud to celebrate 11 SmithTech students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) during a special ceremony at Oscar F. Smith Middle School on Thursday, October 29!
The ceremony recognized students who have demonstrated excellence in the five pillars of NJHS: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. During the celebration, students participated in a traditional candle-lighting ceremony, took the NJHS pledge, and received certificates and white roses in recognition of their achievements.
Being selected for NJHS is a wonderful accomplishment that reflects these students' dedication to academic success, positive leadership, and service to others. These qualities align with our SmithTech mission of developing innovative thinkers, responsible citizens, and future leaders.
Congratulations to our 11 SmithTech inductees! We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing the positive impact you continue to make in our school and community!
Powering Up Science: 8th Graders Create Potato Batteries!
Who knew a potato could help power a battery? Our SmithTech 8th-grade science students put their scientific knowledge to the test with a hands-on investigation exploring how chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy!
Using potatoes, metal electrodes, and wires, students explored how chemical reactions can produce an electric current. Through experimentation, they discovered how different materials work together to create a simple battery while strengthening their understanding of electricity, circuits, and energy transformations.
This engaging activity also connected science to computer science and engineering as students practiced problem-solving, troubleshooting, and computational thinking. Just like engineers, students had to think critically, test their ideas, and make adjustments to understand how their batteries worked.
At SmithTech, we believe learning is most powerful when students can explore, experiment, and make real-world connections. This activity was a great reminder that innovation doesn't always require fancy equipment—sometimes, all it takes is a potato and a little curiosity!
Building Knowledge: 7th Graders Explore Photosynthesis with LEGO!
Who says learning about photosynthesis has to happen only in a textbook? Our SmithTech 7th graders recently brought science to life through an engaging, hands-on Supercharged Plants LEGO Challenge!
Using LEGO bricks, students explored the process of photosynthesis and how plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and release oxygen. Through building, experimenting, and problem-solving, students were able to visualize scientific concepts while developing a deeper understanding of how plants obtain and use energy.
This activity also highlighted SmithTech's commitment to integrating Computer Science, Innovation & Design across all content areas. As students constructed and explored their LEGO models, they applied computational thinking skills such as sequencing, identifying patterns, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. These skills connect directly to computer science concepts, including Algorithms and Programming and Computing Systems.
By combining science with creative engineering and computational thinking, students experienced how technology and design can help us better understand the natural world.
At SmithTech, we're not just learning about science—we're building understanding, one brick at a time!
7th Graders Dive Into Discovery at the Virginia Aquarium!
Our SmithTech 7th graders recently took their learning beyond the classroom with an exciting field trip to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center!
Throughout the visit, students participated in Marine Mysteries, explored fascinating aquarium exhibits, and enjoyed an engaging live animal encounter. These experiences allowed students to investigate marine ecosystems, discover the diversity of aquatic life, and make meaningful connections to concepts they have been studying in science.
As a School of Computer Science, Innovation & Design, SmithTech encourages students to recognize how computer science connects to the world around them. During their aquarium experience, students had opportunities to practice essential computational thinking skills, including observing, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and analyzing information. These same skills are used by marine scientists who rely on technology, data collection, computer modeling, and innovative tools to study ocean ecosystems and protect marine life.
The trip reinforced an important message at SmithTech: computer science isn't just about coding—it's about developing the skills to investigate problems, understand complex systems, and design solutions that make a difference.
By connecting science, technology, and real-world exploration, our 7th graders experienced firsthand how curiosity and innovation go hand in hand!
Small Robots, Big Discoveries: 6th Graders Explore Rotation and Revolution!
Our SmithTech 6th-grade scientists put their knowledge into motion as they used Ozobots, tiny programmable robots, to review Earth's rotation and revolution!
Through this engaging, hands-on activity, students explored the difference between rotation, the spinning of Earth on its axis that causes day and night, and revolution, Earth's journey around the Sun that takes approximately 365 days.
By using Ozobots to model these movements, students connected important science concepts with computer science, coding, and computational thinking. As they guided their robots through different paths, students practiced problem-solving and sequencing while exploring how movement can represent scientific processes.
This cross-curricular experience brought science to life while demonstrating how technology can help students visualize and better understand complex concepts.
At SmithTech, we love finding creative ways to connect classroom learning with computer science, giving our students opportunities to explore, code, collaborate, and discover!
Explore, Create, and Connect: SmithTech Clubs Are Coming!
Exciting opportunities are on the horizon at SmithTech! We are preparing to launch our student clubs, giving students opportunities to explore new interests, develop friendships, build leadership skills, and put their creativity and problem-solving abilities to work beyond the classroom.
Our upcoming club offerings include Chess Club, Story Coders, Student Ambassadors, Game Design/eSports, and Drone Club! Each club provides a unique opportunity for students to collaborate, think critically, and develop skills that connect to our school's focus on Computer Science, Innovation & Design.
From developing strategies in chess and creating interactive stories through coding to exploring game design and learning about drone technology, students will have opportunities to discover new passions. Our Student Ambassadors will also have the chance to develop leadership and communication skills while representing SmithTech and supporting our school community.
Interested in joining a club? We will soon begin distributing club permission slips during student lunches! Students are encouraged to explore the available opportunities and select a club that matches their interests. Families should be on the lookout for permission slips coming home in the near future.
We can't wait to see our students connect, create, and innovate through these exciting extracurricular opportunities!