Thanks to Miles for his inspiration (and perspiration), great sense of humor and patience....to Paul for his great teaching ideas, help and wonderful demos...to Tina for her great lectures and help and to all of you for sharing your great talents, experience and teaching ideas. It was truly a pleasure to get to know you. Have a great rest of the summer and school year and take care of yourselves!
Cathy
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Crystals/Polarizing, Thermometers, Calorimeters
We could differentiate between different types of crystal by the way they rotated plane or polarized light. It is interesting to see how cotton and wool have different degrees of color and uniformity (cotton versus silk versus wool). Could see a variety of shapes in crystals that didn't take a long time to grow and using the copper wire and silver nitrate would be good to show students how fast a crystal can grow. The thermometer lab gave a simple picture of temperature fluctuation (elementary) and gave high school students a variety of thermometers to construct with different efficiencies. The calorimeter lab showed the simple basics of converting food energy to heat energy.
Dawn and Barb
Dawn and Barb
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday Physics
I will second! other comments I read about Darwin's demonstration/explanation and suggestions by 2 other classmates for illustrating Newton's 2nd law and for the simple way to remember which class of levers a lever belongs to-whatever is successful for remembering/retaining concepts is important in any subject.
Because I will be working with an IA elementary school, I addressed high school standards-IA (in my Report I will address NE standards) in my comments for Monday, for in the comunity college setting where I work, the majority of students have been out of formal education for quite awhile. Physical science is close to senior high review. The lab was a great one for introduction to a mechanics and lever class--good reinforcement for basic equations and concepts, where a semester gives a "taste" of the five physical sciences, not near enough time to begin to master any of them!
Because I will be working with an IA elementary school, I addressed high school standards-IA (in my Report I will address NE standards) in my comments for Monday, for in the comunity college setting where I work, the majority of students have been out of formal education for quite awhile. Physical science is close to senior high review. The lab was a great one for introduction to a mechanics and lever class--good reinforcement for basic equations and concepts, where a semester gives a "taste" of the five physical sciences, not near enough time to begin to master any of them!
Monday Chem Labs
The IA standards addressed in these labs were the same for grades 10-12: Content Standard 1/Grade Level Indicator."students can understand and apply the processes and skills of scientific inquiry" and "analyze and interpret scientific information". Content Standard 3/Grade Level indicator. "Students can understand concepts and relationships in Earth/space sciences" and "make inferences and predictions fusing fundamental Earth/space concepts" and "analyze Earth/space investigations". Contnet Standard 4/Grade Level Indicator. "Students can understand concepts and relationships in physical sciences" and "make inferences and predictions using fundamental physical science concepts" and "analyze physical science investigations" and "analyze and evaluate the adequacy and accuracy of physical science information".
Content concepts addressed in the Egg Drop/Egg Removal: Water-change of state-molecular activity-; the Ideal Gas Law: linear relationship between temperature & pressure, inversely proportional relationship of pressure & volume; Henry's law( gas solubility in liquid) & the concentration of dissolved gas proportional to the partial pressure of that gas; acid - base reaction; gas production -evidence of chemical change; equlilbrium in chemical reaction.
Content concepts addressed in the Bell Jar Lab: pressure differences; Ideal Gas Law, where Pressure is proportional to Temperature and inversely proportional to Volume; Water boiling at lower (?in ours- ? room tmeperature?) as a result of lessening pressure; lessening of external pressure"lets" internal pressure "take charge" and marshmallow "expands" until external pressure returns to the system--when marshmallow "shrinks"-is crushed by that external pressure.
The wording was the same for Standard 2 (biology) as for Standards 3 and 4. One could add questions, discussion, discovery related to biology (ie, why do space traveler's need space suits?---research issues, of blood pressure, equilibrium between internal body pressure and external pressure, body temperature equilibrium...)
Content concepts addressed in the Egg Drop/Egg Removal: Water-change of state-molecular activity-; the Ideal Gas Law: linear relationship between temperature & pressure, inversely proportional relationship of pressure & volume; Henry's law( gas solubility in liquid) & the concentration of dissolved gas proportional to the partial pressure of that gas; acid - base reaction; gas production -evidence of chemical change; equlilbrium in chemical reaction.
Content concepts addressed in the Bell Jar Lab: pressure differences; Ideal Gas Law, where Pressure is proportional to Temperature and inversely proportional to Volume; Water boiling at lower (?in ours- ? room tmeperature?) as a result of lessening pressure; lessening of external pressure"lets" internal pressure "take charge" and marshmallow "expands" until external pressure returns to the system--when marshmallow "shrinks"-is crushed by that external pressure.
The wording was the same for Standard 2 (biology) as for Standards 3 and 4. One could add questions, discussion, discovery related to biology (ie, why do space traveler's need space suits?---research issues, of blood pressure, equilibrium between internal body pressure and external pressure, body temperature equilibrium...)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9th
Well, the morning didn't start out very good. A storm went through Scotland this morning doing damage to just about every house in town. I had damage to my camper and my siding, but at least no windows were busted out. (A lot of people did have windows taken out.)
The good news is that once we made it to class, we did a very good activity Thursday morning. The predator-prey lab was a good lab. As I said in my blog Wednesday, I don't teach any life scinece classes, but I may be able to actually use this activity in some of my math classes. In Pre-Calculus, we talk about exponential growth and decay. During that time, we also talk a little bit about how exponential growth and decay pertain to populations of organisms.
The predator prey lab might be a good activity for me to do, when we begin talking about populations of organisms. I think that the kids would have a lot of fun with it.
The lab over Beer's Law that we did in the afternoon was interesting also. I'm not so sure that this is something that I can use in my classes, but I definately learned a lot about how concentration effects reaction rates.
The good news is that once we made it to class, we did a very good activity Thursday morning. The predator-prey lab was a good lab. As I said in my blog Wednesday, I don't teach any life scinece classes, but I may be able to actually use this activity in some of my math classes. In Pre-Calculus, we talk about exponential growth and decay. During that time, we also talk a little bit about how exponential growth and decay pertain to populations of organisms.
The predator prey lab might be a good activity for me to do, when we begin talking about populations of organisms. I think that the kids would have a lot of fun with it.
The lab over Beer's Law that we did in the afternoon was interesting also. I'm not so sure that this is something that I can use in my classes, but I definately learned a lot about how concentration effects reaction rates.
Thursday's Activities
I liked the predator-prey simulation model. It allowed students to explore and discover relationships. It also, shows the students the importance of changing only one variable at a time and taking good notes. After changing different variable and recording data students well be able to make connections between the different variables. I enjoyed the predator-prey lab. It is a lab that gets the students up and moving. The crystal violet lab was also fun. I haven't used a spec 20 in quite awhile. This lab showed great mathematical relationships.
Can You Believe that Its Been a Week!
Hi All,
This has been an enjoyable, inspiring and wonderful week. It is difficult to believe that it is over already. Some of you will be joining us for the summer short course, next week. And, we hope to use the info we gain this summer to apply for and design new short courses for next year and beyond.
If you are taking this course for credit, we had indicated in the syllabus that there is a short paper due July 31st as part of those requirements. Here are some general guidelines for that 3-5 (no more than 5) page paper:
1) It should focus on a relationship between mathematics and its application to science.
2) How could you apply the idea of teaching math through science to your in-place curriculum and meet both the SD science AND math content standards at the same time? If you are taking this for credit and teach in Nebraska, use the Nebraska standards.
For example, how could you change what you already do to meet standards in a new way in light of 1 and 2, above?
Link to the SD science content standards http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/science/newstandards.asp
Link to the SD mathematics content standards
http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/math/standards.asp
If you are in the MNS program (or another graduate program) and want to take some of your graduate education hours during the academic year, SEED 513 - Secondary Science Methods is offered on Monday nights from 5-8 pm. Please contact me for more details
It has been wonderful getting to know you. Please keep in touch with your questions and comments. Let us know of the great things you are doing in the classroom so that we can be a part of that, too.
Good luck and stay well and happy and dodge those rain drops!
This has been an enjoyable, inspiring and wonderful week. It is difficult to believe that it is over already. Some of you will be joining us for the summer short course, next week. And, we hope to use the info we gain this summer to apply for and design new short courses for next year and beyond.
If you are taking this course for credit, we had indicated in the syllabus that there is a short paper due July 31st as part of those requirements. Here are some general guidelines for that 3-5 (no more than 5) page paper:
1) It should focus on a relationship between mathematics and its application to science.
2) How could you apply the idea of teaching math through science to your in-place curriculum and meet both the SD science AND math content standards at the same time? If you are taking this for credit and teach in Nebraska, use the Nebraska standards.
For example, how could you change what you already do to meet standards in a new way in light of 1 and 2, above?
Link to the SD science content standards http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/science/newstandards.asp
Link to the SD mathematics content standards
http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/math/standards.asp
If you are in the MNS program (or another graduate program) and want to take some of your graduate education hours during the academic year, SEED 513 - Secondary Science Methods is offered on Monday nights from 5-8 pm. Please contact me for more details
It has been wonderful getting to know you. Please keep in touch with your questions and comments. Let us know of the great things you are doing in the classroom so that we can be a part of that, too.
Good luck and stay well and happy and dodge those rain drops!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Day 3 (Wednesday) a day late
Better late than never? Sorry for not posting this yesterday. Wednesday's activities included a recap from circuits and light bulbs, radioactivity, and enzymes. I am becoming more knowledgeable on excel thanks to the expertise and patience of my partners. I used the older version of excel in college a few years ago but I havn't used it alot since then. Having knowledge of other programs will come in handy. With the radioactivity lab, we monitored cesium as it faded into its half-life, which turned out to be barium. With the enzyme lab we took enzyme from potatoes and monitored the reaction rate. Discussing enzymes, proteins, and amino acids was a good refresher as well as learning new information.
I look forward to learning more information tomorrow.
I look forward to learning more information tomorrow.
Thursday's Storm Activities
Well to update what Kevin said about the storms---it also took crops and damage north of Scotland. I live north of Kaylor and the crops are damaged along with holes in the siding of our house. A neighbor to the northeast lost a barn and another lost a grain bin that was blown against a semi. My husband is a carpenter contractor and he has been busy boarding up windows and the phone has been ringing with people wanting to get on his list to get their damage repaired. I feel bad for the farmers because some of them lost everything. The destruction is unbelievable and covers a very wide area involving several communities.
On the bright side of Thursday, I really enjoyed the predator/prey activity. I do something similar but like this one better because of the math and graphs that can be made. I would really relate this to our ecosystem that involves the mountain lions. I recently was at Custer State Park horseback riding and we came across a 20 herd of elk--there was not a single offspring in the herd. Also, we came across some elk bone remains that our guide said was probably done by a mountain lion. I think we will be hearing more about the population of mountain lions in our state and how it is affecting other wildlife.
The Crystal Violet lab was also interesting but is probably above the ability of my middle school kids. I still like making the graphs and getting more familiar with using excel and the graphing options.
On the bright side of Thursday, I really enjoyed the predator/prey activity. I do something similar but like this one better because of the math and graphs that can be made. I would really relate this to our ecosystem that involves the mountain lions. I recently was at Custer State Park horseback riding and we came across a 20 herd of elk--there was not a single offspring in the herd. Also, we came across some elk bone remains that our guide said was probably done by a mountain lion. I think we will be hearing more about the population of mountain lions in our state and how it is affecting other wildlife.
The Crystal Violet lab was also interesting but is probably above the ability of my middle school kids. I still like making the graphs and getting more familiar with using excel and the graphing options.
Thursday's Material
I liked the predator/prey activity. I thought another way this could be adapted was to actually have the students put the utensils into their mouths to pick up the "food". If nothing else, it may provide for a chuckle or two! :) Since I am on the math end and not the science, we do exponential decay and growth using M&Ms. The kids love the activity and it provides for great graphs.
The crystal violet lab was great also. I am getting a plethora of ideas to use when my students ask, "Why do we have to do this?". Another good example of exponential functions as well as well as linear. We won't actually do the natural logs of numbers, but I can tell them how they'll need it in the future.
The crystal violet lab was great also. I am getting a plethora of ideas to use when my students ask, "Why do we have to do this?". Another good example of exponential functions as well as well as linear. We won't actually do the natural logs of numbers, but I can tell them how they'll need it in the future.
Today--Partners, Populations, and Kinetics
Predator-prey simulation...interesting that we could change the variety of factors in the online simulation and see immediate results that could be easily interpreted in the graphs----great for visual learners. What really triggered brain response today was the manipulatives in the predator-prey lab. That's the best interaction we've had as a group. Great learning and population-decay-concept-illustrating lab for a great range of student ages. I loved hearing classmates suggestions for improvement, variety in approach, or avoidance of problems. This lab is good for strengthening thinking skills for discussion. Both labs were great for engaging lab partners. I think it was good to wait for Friday am to get deeper into the math of the chemsitry kinetics lab.
Thursday (Day 4)
The biology activity that we participated in this morning reminded me of several activities that are in the Project Wild and Project Flying Wild's curriculums. There are several ways to adapt these activities to meet your needs and the areas/subjects you are teaching. One of my favorites is the Bird Beaks activity where you get several different utensils to simulate 6 different types of bird beaks. Tweezers, a spoon, chop sticks and other things are used to pick up rice, beads and other things. I love Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Project Aquatic Wild and Project Flying Wild's curriculums because all the activities are hands on activities. These curriculums have activities for all grade levels and can be used to meet some of the South Dakota standards. Here is one link for the activities that could be used to meet the middle school standards from Project Wild:
http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Education/Projwild/WILD6-8correlations.pdf If you want the high school or elementary list for the activities that match the standards, I am sure I can find them, just let me know.
Our afternoon's activity consisted of observing the reaction between crystal violet and sodium hydroxide. We used a machine that monitored the absorbance. Although this machine was useful for this experiment, it is hard for me to think of purchasing something that is only useful in one setting or situation.
I am enjoying learning the mathamatical components to our labs. I taught basic math equations such as gas laws and solving chemical equations. I didn't go real in depth at Woodfield Center. I felt that my job was to grab the at risk students' attention and get them excited about science and school again. Getting more in depth in math has me excited for new adventures as I begin teaching in a new location.
http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Education/Projwild/WILD6-8correlations.pdf If you want the high school or elementary list for the activities that match the standards, I am sure I can find them, just let me know.
Our afternoon's activity consisted of observing the reaction between crystal violet and sodium hydroxide. We used a machine that monitored the absorbance. Although this machine was useful for this experiment, it is hard for me to think of purchasing something that is only useful in one setting or situation.
I am enjoying learning the mathamatical components to our labs. I taught basic math equations such as gas laws and solving chemical equations. I didn't go real in depth at Woodfield Center. I felt that my job was to grab the at risk students' attention and get them excited about science and school again. Getting more in depth in math has me excited for new adventures as I begin teaching in a new location.
Nice Distraction
Today's labs were a nice distraction from what we had to leave and come back to in Scotland. Just a quick update. It is being said that almost every house in town was damaged by the storm. Either by the wind or the hail. It would probably also be accurate to say that about 70% of the crops between Scotland and Lesterville have effectively been wiped out. On the upside, nobody seemed to be hurt. Crops and property can be replaced and repaired, lives cannont.
I thought the predator prey lab and model program were excellent this morning. The computer model was an excellent way of showing how prey numbers can be effected by predator numbers and efficiency. Playing with efficiency of the predator is an excellent method of showing what happens when a predator is introduced into an ecosystem where the prey have no natural defenses against them. This can be seen with the elk herds in west river South Dakota and the mountain lions as well as predators like pythons being introduced into the Everglades down in Florida. The lab was a great way of introducing simple math that students can understand and interpret, showing how predator and prey numbers effect each other. Instead of using beans, you could use beads, or just different objects of varying size like paper clips or rice. You could also use pieces of paper that the dropper could maybe pick up but the others could not. You can also extend this activity and talk about Hardy Weinberg and niches.
The Beer's law lab is one that I remember doing in college, I have also done a version of it with my students when I have been able to get ahold of some Spec 20's. Typically when the Science on the Move truck has been at our school. It is an excellent lab for discussing concentrations and reaction rates. A simple lab in concept, but very useful in understanding some complex topics.
I thought the predator prey lab and model program were excellent this morning. The computer model was an excellent way of showing how prey numbers can be effected by predator numbers and efficiency. Playing with efficiency of the predator is an excellent method of showing what happens when a predator is introduced into an ecosystem where the prey have no natural defenses against them. This can be seen with the elk herds in west river South Dakota and the mountain lions as well as predators like pythons being introduced into the Everglades down in Florida. The lab was a great way of introducing simple math that students can understand and interpret, showing how predator and prey numbers effect each other. Instead of using beans, you could use beads, or just different objects of varying size like paper clips or rice. You could also use pieces of paper that the dropper could maybe pick up but the others could not. You can also extend this activity and talk about Hardy Weinberg and niches.
The Beer's law lab is one that I remember doing in college, I have also done a version of it with my students when I have been able to get ahold of some Spec 20's. Typically when the Science on the Move truck has been at our school. It is an excellent lab for discussing concentrations and reaction rates. A simple lab in concept, but very useful in understanding some complex topics.
Same concepts, good math, O' Deer.
Just a idea for something to do with similar student learning is the Project Wild O' Deer. Instead of a predator/prey dynamics, it uses food/water/shelter on population dynamics. It also allows the use of math with graphing and student predictions. I truly like these types of activities because it provides great classroom discussion and input/participation from the students. There is nothing better than to disguise learning in what the students consider play.
Instead of beans, one could use colored toothpicks, cereal, candy, or even paper punches.
I would like to find an activity on animal behavior which involves animal conflicts like fighting. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to teach students how animals deal with conflict?
Instead of beans, one could use colored toothpicks, cereal, candy, or even paper punches.
I would like to find an activity on animal behavior which involves animal conflicts like fighting. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to teach students how animals deal with conflict?
Thursday
The predator/prey activities were very interested especially since I do not teach biology and have been away from it for many years. The simulation was good but I got a better picture of the whole concept when we did the hands on activity with the beans. With computer simulations, if you don't give the students clear directions, many will wonder off and not get the full application. If I would use this simulation, I would give the students specific questions to answer as they manipulated the values. I am going to let my biology teachers know about this activity and see if they would like to use it.
I especially liked the rate law lab since I teach chemistry. I have done labs with my AP Chemistry class concerning rate laws, and I found this one quite simple to do. I plan on incorporating it this next year into my curriculum. I look forward to looking at the math behind this lab tomorrow. I have really enjoyed this past week.
I especially liked the rate law lab since I teach chemistry. I have done labs with my AP Chemistry class concerning rate laws, and I found this one quite simple to do. I plan on incorporating it this next year into my curriculum. I look forward to looking at the math behind this lab tomorrow. I have really enjoyed this past week.
Thursday's thoughts
I really enjoyed the predator/prey activity. We play the 'tag' game for our activity but I will try the beans instead this year. I'm not sure the 6th gradesr will understand the website but I can project it and we can try it together. I think it will make it really clear to them and the relationships with different animals. As the data progressed, I was kinda amazed. The predator/prey discussion on the effects of the population will be quite interesting, I'm sure, (because we have a lot of hunters) and many factors can be introduced to make them think about the effects on the population. One more day!
Thursday's P&P Lab...
I found the lab to be quite fun and interesting. Although we couldn't get our computer simulation to show the graph for awhile, we were able to play with it a little. I liked the bean activity somewhat better because you could really see what was going on and it made you think of strategies to get more. This also made me think of what to do once the beans were gone and how we were going to compete when there were only a few left. I adapted to using the dropper by turning it end for end and using the wide end to scoop the beans out of the pan into my cup. I actually ended up getting more than the forceps and spoon. Regardless, it was a fun lab. Once again, it is something that would need to be discussed in depth afterward, which is something we did not really have time for. The mathematics with this lab seemed to be a little more straight forward which I'm sure most of us preferred as would our students, but I can see how it could get complicated making this a very flexible lab to use with any age group. All in all it was a good day...can't wait for tomorrow's math!
Thursday's Post
Hi,
Predator/Prey
I really enjoyed the Predator/Prey simulation. It was fun to change the numbers and see what kind of relationship you would get on the graph. The predator/ prey game with the beans was also fun and really made us think. It will also make them students think with a simular discussion. I could see me using this game with my 7th grade life science group. I believe both activities could make students understand population decay.
Crystal Violet Absorbance
This activity was again very interesting. Again, the relationship between the math and science application is just amazing!
Thank you again,
Betsy
Predator/Prey
I really enjoyed the Predator/Prey simulation. It was fun to change the numbers and see what kind of relationship you would get on the graph. The predator/ prey game with the beans was also fun and really made us think. It will also make them students think with a simular discussion. I could see me using this game with my 7th grade life science group. I believe both activities could make students understand population decay.
Crystal Violet Absorbance
This activity was again very interesting. Again, the relationship between the math and science application is just amazing!
Thank you again,
Betsy
Response to predator/prey
The predator/prey model working with the seeds was very interesting. I have not done this lab before. This might be one of those I can use next week with the next class in having the high school kids helping the younger kids.The java simulation that was online was neat to change the different guidelines and see the response of the species. I thought it was very interesting in the spiraling effect when there wasn't a good match with the number of each species. I think talking about and working with the mortality rate can lead to some very interesting and controversial situations with students from different areas of the country. I thought today was another excellent day for everyone involve. some people learn new things and other learn how to do some things in a new way getting a review at the same time.
The spectrometer lab was a lab that I have not done, but I understood it fairly well. We came up with excellent results that were able to show some nice trends. I am hopingto do this lab with my chem students this year. Some of them show have calculus already and be able to identify some relationships.
The spectrometer lab was a lab that I have not done, but I understood it fairly well. We came up with excellent results that were able to show some nice trends. I am hopingto do this lab with my chem students this year. Some of them show have calculus already and be able to identify some relationships.
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