News Detail
Bridging the Gap: Sixth Graders Design Experiments for Lower School Students
An essential component of science involves a strong understanding of experimental design. Since the beginning of the year, sixth grade students at WFS have been learning how to design and carry out reliable investigations. To serve as a framework for this topic, they have been studying the bell shaped curve and its implications to many facets of life (scores on a quiz, height in relation to your classmates, results of a 5K race etc.)
To demonstrate their understanding of experimental design, sixth graders developed an experiment that tested a question that they were curious about, which ranged from how well can you memorize items from a list in 30 seconds to how many planks can you do in 1 minute with and without encouragement. In order for the experiment to be reliable, they had to control all variables and develop a means of collecting data. Lastly, they had to identify a group of individuals suitable for collecting data.
To serve this purpose, they invited lower school students to participate in the experiments. On October 28, sixth graders conducted the experiments virtually with Beth Hill and Kelly Cox’s fifth grade cohorts.
Overall, the collaboration was a huge success. The sixth graders loved having the freedom to design their own experiment for others. Lower school students, on the other hand, not only enjoyed being part of these experiments, but also expressed how much that they couldn't wait to be in the sixth grade so that they could be the ones designing the experiments for the next group of lower school students. Data from the experiments will be shared with fifth grade teachers to use for math and science lessons.
The benefits of this type of collaboration are two-fold. First, curricular needs are met as sixth graders learn the fundamentals of experimental design. At the same time, the sharing of information makes it possible for lower school students to use relevant and meaningful data when learning the basics of graphing. Second, by crossing divisions, middle and lower students help to build a stronger sense of community, one of the Quaker testimonies, which makes Friends a wonderful place to learn and work.
Please Note: Our news items are grouped by calendar year.
More News
-
Quaker Matters Podcast: Reese Bryson ’25 and Charlie Bradford
As part of her Senior Exploration, Reese Bryson ’25 interviewed Charlie Bradford for the Quaker Matters Podcast.Read More -
Thank you!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following retirees, whose dedication, leadership, and care have made a lasting impact on the Wilmington Friends School community!Read More -
IB Extended Essays
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is often considered the highest standard for college preparatory education. This year, 29 members from the Class of 2025 were IB diploma candidates.Read More -
Final Assembly: Celebrating the Class of 2025!
At Final Assembly, we gathered to honor and celebrate the Class of 2025!Read More -
Max Leffler ’22 Gives Back
Max Leffler ’22 recently hosted his 5th Annual Disc Golf Tournament, raising $5,200 in support of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and its mission to fight childhood cancer.Read More -
QUEST Term Service & Leadership Trip
At the start of summer break, 15 Wilmington Friends Upper School students traveled to El Paso, Texas, as part of a QUEST Term Service/Leadership Trip. This immersive experience combines global education, leadership development, and community engagement.Read More -
Middle School Mastery Projects
Read MoreThe mastery program in middle school is a semester or year-long, student-initiated and student-produced project designed to develop that student's talents, interests, and skills. The emphasis is on achievement and completing a finished product that is either presented or displayed publicly in a polished, masterful way. Mastery projects may include academic research papers, visual and performing arts projects or performances, special teaching units, and physical projects. -
4th Grade Electric Convention
4th graders held their annual electric convention, an opportunity to showcase their electric projects to lower school students and faculty!Read More -
Lower School Field Days
Read MoreSo much laughter and fun (for the grown ups, too!) at this week's lower school field days. Bring on summer! For more photos, visit our Smugmug page (password can be found in the Friends on Friday message). Photos courtesy of WFS Yearbook -
The Sunny Side of Wellness
For Mental Health Awareness Month, middle and upper school students answered the question "How will you take care of your wellness this summer?" The Quaker Cares committee then created a vision board with the many responses!Read More -
Music in the Parks Winners!
Congratulations to our middle school band and choir, who were both winners at last week's Music in the Parks competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania!Read More -
TED Talks, Mini Society, and Learning about National Parks
Exciting things are happening at the lower school these last few days of school!Read More -
Senior Explorations 2025
Read MoreCelebrations for the Class of 2025 have begun, and last night was Senior Exploration Night, where members of the Class of 2025 presented the projects they’ve been working on for the last month. -
Yearbook Distribution!
Middle and upper school students enjoyed ice cream and time with friends at yesterday's 2024-2025 yearbook distribution! The end is in sight!Read More -
Lower School Culture Quest Celebrates Juneteenth
Read MoreOur final Lower School Culture Quest was a celebration of Juneteenth! Students explored the significance of Juneteenth through hands-on activities, music, food, and arts and crafts. It was a fun and meaningful way to learn about and honor this important day! -
Preschool "Informance"
We wrapped up our spring concert series today with a preschool "informance," where our youngest students showcased their singing, dancing, and instrument playing!Read More -
Middle School 5K
One of our most beloved spring traditions...the middle school 5K! Costumed students (everything from the cast of Scooby Doo to famous athletes) walked and ran the Alapocas neighborhood all to benefit a good cause.Read More -
Preschool Field Day
So much fun at last week's preschool field day! Photos courtesy of WFS Yearbook.Read More -
Upper School Kindness Chain
L-T Alleyne '26 sparked a chain of kindness in our upper school with a simple idea: write a thoughtful note to someone you don’t usually talk to—and pass it on. Thanks to everyone who took part, this sweet gesture made its way through our community, one kind message at a time.Read More
1
/
20
101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
