Science Investigation Posters

Each student will design a science investigation. Either an experiment or a systematic observation and then make a poster about it to be shared on Science Day, March 9th. The posters are due Wednesday, March 7th. Here are The Poster Guidelines. And here is a Rubric for the Poster. We will be working on these outside of class during this week. All the investigations should be finished and all the data gathered by this weekend, so that we can make the posters on March 5th and 6th.

Mysteries of the Periodic Table Revealed

This week we have been drawing models of atoms, and using the periodic table to help us figure out how many protons, electrons and neutrons are in each atom. We figured out how many electron shells there are for each atom and how many electrons can fit into each shell. Here are the notes that we have been using: Mysteries of the Periodic Table Revealed (part one) and Mysteries of the Periodic Table Revealed (part two)

Dry Ice Experiments

Today we conducted our dry ice experiments that we have been planning for the last couple of days. We are following the format of a science investigation. Here is the outline: Dry Ice Procedures and Outline. We ran our investigations and gathered our data and observations. Tomorrow we will compile our results, graph them and write up our conclusions. Homework is due tomorrow. Chapter 3-1, questions 3, 4, 5.

Introduction to the Elements and Their Uses

Tommy was home today and his sub, Megan, lead class. They read a short story about a kid named Harlan as he went through his day. They had to pick out different elements that he used during the day and list them. They had a Guide to the Elements and their Uses to use as a resource. Then they created a short, 3 panel, cartoon to illustrate and explain one of these elements being used. Homework was collected. No new homework, yet.

Periodic Table Introduction

Monday was MLK jr Day. On Tuesday, we had an introduction to the how to read the Periodic Table of the Elements. Here are some of the notes that we took that day: Periodic Table Notes. We Practiced by choosing various elements and breaking it down into how many protons, neutrons and electrons and drew simplified models of those atoms. We practiced on Carbon, Lithium, and a few random ones like Titanium or Gold.

Density

This week we practiced measuring volume of different objects. We measured blocks using the formula length x width x height = volume with the units in cubic centimeters. We discussed the difference between the accuracy and precision of our measurements and how to use our rulers effectively. We considered how many significant figures we could use in our calculations as well. We also reviewed how to measure volume using the displacement method with water in a graduated cylinder. There were a lot of students visiting upper school this week and we had a block schedule so it has not been a regular week. Tuesday and Wednesday during the block schedule we did a lab activity that compared the density of pennies minted before 1982 and after 1982 when they switched to mostly zinc. The Penny Density Lab gave us practice measuring volume using the displacement method, measuring mass on the electronic balance, and calculating density using our formula of Density = mass divided by volume.
We collected homework on Thursday and assigned new homework: Read chapter 2.3, pp. 53-60. Answer questions 3, 5, & 6. Due on Thursday, January 19th.

Chemistry notes and some simple investigations

Wednesday and Thursday we took some notes on Chemistry terms and definitions. We looked at density and the difference between floating an object and resting a paperclip on top of the the surface of water without breaking the surface tension.  We reviewed the formula for density (Density=mass/volume) and the standard units: grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3)

Thursday we discussed the differences between physical and chemical changes and measured the temperature changes that take place when we mixed Calcium chloride and water and baking soda and water. Here are the notes: Chem Notes - January 4, Physical Change versus Chemical Change, Hot and Cold Reactions.