Today we started Unit 7: Forces and Motion! Tomorrow we will measure the amount of work and power some students have as they participate in the lab, "Running the Stairs".
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Today we find out how well students are able to keep their internal POD temperature from rising in our environment that boasts a slightly hotter temperature than Earth! Prior testing has shown that it can get to between 107 and 110 degrees inside of our model planet. We will be taking the difference between the air outside of their POD and the air inside of their POD! Hopefully, all of our "astronauts" will survive inside!
Today students spent the bulk of their time building their structure. We have some really interesting designs! Can't wait to see how they perform in the hotbox tomorrow! After two days of testing, we are moving on to the design phase where students must use their information to help them determine how they will construct their pod! Today groups reviewed information to help them draw a labeled diagram, write a rationale for their decisions, and do a cost analysis of their proposed structure. Tomorrow we build!
Today we used our data to make informed decisions about further testing. Students determined what materials to stack based on the data gathered from the materials tests. The structures will be layered based on these tests and the data that students collect. Tomorrow we begin our design phase and Part 1 of building!
Today I introduced a new group project for the students concerning thermal energy transfer. Students will be designing and building structures that prevent the flow of thermal energy to protect a tiny human on the inside. Today we learned how to use the digital instant thermometers and did a few tests. On Monday, we will begin with specific tests for each of the materials and begin developing our plans.
This week we are exploring thermal energy more in depth and today students started an experiment to test how different cups allow thermal energy transfer. We will continue this experiment tomorrow, and analyze the data on Friday. Below are the notes handed out earlier this week.
We have spent a good amount of time discussing how energy cannot be created or destroyed and now we will begin to apply that information. We worked with the interactive below today and glued in some everyday objects to begin exploring on Tuesday.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park-basics Today we started experimenting with and planning our coaster designs. The marble must travel the full 24 feet on the track the entire time and the coaster must have at least a second hill (after the first) and one loop! Tomorrow we build for real and present! |
AuthorI am an 8th grade Science teacher in Leeds, Alabama. This is my fourth year teaching science. As a teacher, I would love nothing more than to teach my kids to question the world around them and to never stop learning. Archives
May 2017
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