The first Ocean Literacy concept explained

Let it Glow, Let it Glow,This is Let it Glow

Pyrocystis fusiformis photographed on the iPad with one our new microscopes and iPad cameras. 

This is a common algae that live in our ocean.  It glows in the dark with a beautiful blue green light.

Cal State University Channel Islands students came to most of the 7th grade classrooms and presented the students with a small vial of living, gkow-in-the-dark algae.

The college students not only explained how college is beneficial for themselves, but also taught about photosynthesis and this wonderful marine organism.

Student used the mnemonic technique of learning through song, as the sung science lyrics about this algae to the tune of "Let it Snow"

Hour of Code

Almost every student at RJ Frank participated in a computer programming activity called the Hour of Code.   

Students used their iPads and a simple drag and drop programming language to solve various puzzles.  

Students were introduced to computer coding and learned to think like a coder.

Visual Thinking Strategies are an inquiry approach to education that allow student to think about, discuss, and then write about an image they see.  It facilitates students to use  higher level thinking skills while allowing them to be creative in their thought process.  Students then collaborate and communicate with other students about the image they see.

The Magnet School Assistance Program has made possible new technology for microscopy at RJ Frank Middle School.  Here are the new microscopes, microscope video cameras and an iPad app. We are looking at plankton under some microscopes and onion cells on the other microscopes.

Visual Thinking Strategies incorporate art and language arts as students think about what they see, then write and explain their ideas.

Mr. Quien's students have engineered  metricoptors.  Students enjoy watching them float slowly and twirl at the same time, while learning about gravity, air resistance and roational motion, wind, and air currents.

Chemiluminescence With CSUCI

Cal State Channel Islands students are presenting a STEM lesson on the scientific method. How is chemiluminescence affected by temperature? Glow sticks are used to a show chemical reaction that produces light and these are placed in cups of water at different temperatures

Archaeology and Paleontology in the classroom

Ms. Zwaal's 6th grade class is on a dig.  Both fossils and artifacts are discovered during this activity.

Frank students are using Vernier Probeware in the classroom.  This equipment allows the students to graph changes in temperature over time.  We have many other sensors besides the temperature sensors. Our federal MSAP grant allowed us to buy cutting edge science equipment for the middle school classroom.

Build a Buoy with Cal State University Channel Islands

Build a Buoy with Cal State University Channel Islands

CSUCI students explain the engineering project.

Huichol String Paintings

Putting the A in STEAM with tessellations.

Put The A in STEAM with Mayan and Aztec student art.

STEAM Projects

Check out the links below to see our STEAM project Simple booklets.


Solar Energy Simple Booklet

Styrofoam Simple Booklet

Fuel Cells Simple Booklet

Water Purification and the Electrochlorinator Simple Booklet

Wind Energy Simple Booklet

Frank Mouse Squad students are programing Arduino microcontrollers.

These devices use sensors and have switches that can control lights or motors.

Ms. Hanna's class visits Brekke Elementary School to share STEM projects.

Ms. Hanna's STEM class takes a field trip to the California Science Center.  The Discovery Lab field trip, sponsored by AMGEN featured a cow eye dissection.