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Exploring The Power Of Pulleys Through Science Lab

PCA eighth graders recently engaged in an exciting pulley system lab as part of their "Work and Machines" unit. This unit focuses on understanding simple machines and how they can enhance our ability to perform work. Middle School Science Teacher Kim Moser explains, “The specific objective for this lab was to calculate the absolute and ideal mechanical advantages of different pulley systems. I wanted them to discover that as the number of pulleys in a system increased, the mechanical advantage would also increase, leading to a decrease in the effort force required.”

To achieve this, students were tasked with building three distinct pulley systems. The first system consisted of a single pulley, the second had two pulleys, and the third boasted four pulleys. By using spring scales and 1 kg weights, they were able to test and calculate the effort forces and mechanical advantages of each system. Not only was this lab a fun and engaging experience for the students, but it also allowed them to make remarkable discoveries about the power and principles of simple machines. 

Thanksgiving Chapel: A Morning of Worship, Gratitude, And Fun

Oh Give Thanks to the Lord, For He is Good, For His Steadfast Love Endures Forever!” -1 Chronicles 16:34

Thanksgiving Chapel is one of the most beloved events of the school year! Each year, the Lower School program fills our hearts with joy and thankfulness for all the Lord’s kindness.

Music Director, Pam Hall, led our kindergarten, fourth and fifth graders in this annual celebration. The High School Choir also made an appearance. “Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, for me Thanksgiving Chapel is about worshipping together joyfully. Psalm 100 says it best, worship the Lord With Gladness, come before him with Joyful songs. When you leave Thanksgiving Chapel, we hope that you are filled with Joy. The joy for all of the things that God has done for you which makes you grateful for his many blessings,” states Mrs. Hall.

Lower School Principal, Tracy Cox, shared a welcoming message and prayer before the fourth and fifth graders led the congregation in the PCA Hymn, then continued with an interactive performance of “I Love the Mountains”.

The kindergarteners took the stage next and wowed the crowd with “Go Around the Corn, Sally” and "I Like the Colors of Fall”. The young students were adorable with their renditions of these autumn-inspired songs.

The fifth grades classes carried on a crowd favorite Thanksgiving Chapel tradition, “Frost Is On The Pumpkin”. The fourth and fifth graders then sang “This is the Day”, “Let Me Tell You About My Jesus” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” with thoughtful movement and motions. The congregation joined back in for “House of the Lord” and “All Creatures of Our God & King”.

The high school choir entered the Worship Center and gave a beautiful performance of “Down to the River to Pray”. Then the kindergarten students recited Psalm 100 before Mrs. Hall encouraged the audience to participate in the Doxology.

The program ended with the kindergarten, fourth and fifth graders singing “We Are Thankful!”

Mr. Zubia and PTO presented Mrs. Hall flowers to thank her for her hard work! Mr. Zubia gave closing remarks on the school’s renewed Covenant as well as the Annual Campaign, before closing in prayer.

A special thank you to Pam Hall and Jolene Hethcox for such a special program, and to all the teachers who helped prepare their students for these performances. PCA is such a blessed community.