WHS Students Bring Science to Life Through Hands-On Learning

From releasing butterflies to studying falling objects, Woodridge High School students recently took their science learning outdoors.

The Environmental Science class released Painted Lady butterflies outside WHS after studying them through their caterpillar stage. As part of a unit on how energy flows through trophic levels, students examined how efficiently the caterpillars converted the plant material they consumed into growth. The butterfly release marked a memorable conclusion to their observations.

Meanwhile, Honors Physical Science classes headed to the WHS stadium bleachers to put physics into motion. Students timed how long it took balls to fall to the ground, then used their measurements to calculate each ball’s final velocity just before impact.

Trial runs, laughter and careful checks of stopwatch readings helped bring classroom formulas to life. Both activities gave students opportunities to observe science in action and connect their learning to the world around them.