Shark Science Club

Imagine Schools Lakewood Ranch

This unique club experience is designed to give students hands-on experience with the science they have been studying in the class room.  We do experiments that allow the children to see first hand the principles they have heard and read about.  This is not just a demonstration.  Each session students have the opportunity to participate in their own lab experience.

There are always volunteer opportunities for parents.  As you can imagine, it is hard to keep 24 students on task when we're doing really cool stuff.  Check back often for updates as the experiments can change if materials are not available or circumstances change.  The club meets Fridays at 2:00 until the end of the school day.

To volunteer, donate items or ask questions, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit the science club blog to see pictures of the experiments and read about what we are doing.

Where we're going:

Sept 18 - Levers - "With a lever long enough and a fulcrum strong enough, I could move the world".  The smallest student in the class will lift the largest student in the class by means of a lever.  All students have the opportunity to lift me (Mr. Freeman - 195 pounds) with the lever - even our smallest student will be able to do it!

Oct 2 - Levers 

Oct 9 - Inclined Planes - Using this simple machine to lift "heavy" objects

Oct 16 - Inclined Planes and Wheels and Axles - By combing these two simple machines we can raise very heavy objects easily.  We will also look at how axles help us overcome friction. Needed: ½ to ¾ inch dowel rods

Oct 23 - Screws (a special inclined plane).  Helicopters.

Nov 6 - Pulleys

Nov 13 - Stored Mechanical Energy/Pulley Weight

Nov 20 - Stored Mechanical Energy/Rubber Band - needed: Match Box cars, rubber bands of different weights

Dec 4 - Stored Mechanical Energy/Rubber Band - needed: rubber bands

Dec 11 - Chemical Powered Propulsion - needed: 7-9 inch balloons

Dec 18 - Chemical Powered Propulsion