the one with the reading module online

For our online class, we worked on our reading module for the "Ready, Set, Science" chapters 3 and 4. Though time consuming, it was also interesting to read about the different experiments that the classes did.

Chapter 3 discussed what prior knowledge and experience each child brings to class and how to incorporate that into the classroom. We also learned about the four domains of knowledge and how important they are to the learning environment [RSS 38]:

• Simple mechanics of solid bounded objects
• Behaviors of psychological agents
• Actions and organization of living things
• Makeup and substance of materials

Chapter 4 discussed core concepts used in science, and how teachers can build on them [RSS 60]:

• Atomic-molecular theory of matter
• Evolutionary theory
• Cell theory
• Newtonian laws of force and motion

I thought they were both helpful in pointing out the important ways children have learned and how teachers can contribute to their future learning skills.

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the online lecture

Class today was replaced by an online session held at 5 pm.

We instead listened to and watched an astronomy lecture. Though it was long long, it was also a bit interesting. I have taken a couple of astronomy courses [not to be confused with "astrology," which is the study of one's star sign and how the stars influence a person's life], so most of the information acted as a refresher.

Gas temperatures:

The progression of a star:

Useful websites:

http://compadre.org

http://nsdl.org: click K-12 audience page, download seminar resource list

I enjoyed the interactive aspects of the webseminar. We were able to listen as four different moderators spoke, view different diagrams and charts, watch video clips, ask questions, and interact with many other people. I think webseminars are a great way to incorporate a lot of technology and interactivity into a class. With the amount of technological knowledge most students already possess, I think something like this would be great for them!

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the acids

Activity: Acid Test
Purpose: To see the reactions of baking soda on different products of varying acidity.

The effects of Baking Soda and:

• Vinegar: It created quite a reaction and the syringe raised considerably.
• Water: The water dampened the baking soda.
• 50-50: Fairly predictable, seeing the results of the previous two. It sent the syringe about halfway up.
• Lime juice: Large reaction, gas almost to the top.
• Grape fruit: Not a very big reaction.
• Orange: Small-ish.
• Lemon: There was no lemon juice to test.

Observations:

• It was neat watching the syringe raise depending on the amount of gas released.
• The more acidic the liquid, the bigger the reaction that was created.
• More acidic liquids: vinegar, lime juice, white grapefruit juice, and pink grapefruit juice.
• The juice with baking soda reacted more because the acid was more concentrated, as compared to the larger surface area of the fruit.

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the dog that ate everything

Activity: Food and Nutrition
We discussed food and nutrition for children. Starting off by playing "What's for Dinner," an interactive game of choices. Students must pick foods to create a meal that is both healthy and meets the calorie requirements. If wrong choices were made, the food had to be fed to a dog in the game, then it returned to the choices area.

Then we looked over the FOSS Food and Nutrition Pictorial Assessment, choosing a lunch from ten options. The packet included several other worksheets such as "What Food is it?," where students were to guess what a food was by its contents.

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the safety game

During class we talked about the Scientific Content and Processes, and what it means to be proficient at science. We also discusses the four strands of learning.

The Four Strands of Learning:

• Understanding scientific explanations
• Generating scientific evidence
• Reflecting on scientific knowledge
• Participating productively in science

Activity: Safety Board Game
Designed with instructions such as, "Caught teacher without goggles. Take 2 tokens," the Safety Board game teaches children about science safety in a fun way. Players are penalized [by losing tokens] for landing on improper safety practices, and they are rewarded by landing on good deeds or actions. We decorated sample boards in class and then played them once we had one completed.

We also received a sample student safety contract/agreement. The students have to look it over with their parents, and both sign.

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the theories

Teaching science within the curriculum is important. Without scientific knowledge, people are forced to take other peoples' word for it or come to their own incorrect conclusions. Science can be used as a way of getting ahead in life or it just makes one a better, more informed citizen. Students are fortunate because there is a new paradigm of teaching; a new way of thinking about science, students, and teaching.

Terms:

• Theory--as in "the theory of [electromagnetism]"
• Mechanics--as explanation that has undergone a lot of testing
• Working hypothesis--an applied theory without testing
• Hypothesis--contributes explanations
• Evidence--a body of data for observations, becomes the basis for a scientific claim

blog you later,
[andrea]

the one with the temperature

Activity: Temperature Probe Response Time

Objectives:

• TI-84 graphing calculater
• Sensor with different units of meature
• Time graph data colletion parameters

Materials:

• Graphing calculator
• Vernier easy temp
• Easy temp data application
• Two 250 mL beakers
• Cold water with ice
• How water

This activity did not work for my group for a while. We could not figure out what was going on with the calculator. Even Dr. Ezrailson had troubles with the calculator. When we finally figured out what the information that we needed, we spilled the water. Twice.

The point of this activity was to measure the probe's response time between two different temperatures and how long it took for the temperature to level off between the two cups of water. Ours leveled off at around 60 seconds.

blog you later,
[andrea]