Solar Ovens and Puzzle Time

Solar Ovens -- Grade 8

We began our Earth's Atmosphere expedition and have begun by answering the question "What is our atmosphere and what does it do for us?" Students worked in groups to learn about energy transfer: radiation, conduction, and convection. Then they were challenged to build a solar oven that would most effectively collect and retain the heat. Students brainstormed, drew a diagram, and then decided what materials they needed. Each student in the group was responsible for bringing the supplies needed. Thanks Rosalie for this wonderful idea!

On Monday, students will put the finishing touches on their ovens, and then test them for 20 minutes to see which group can increase the temperature of 100 mL of water the most. Good Luck!

They will finish the investigation by writing a paper reflecting on the characteristics of successful solar ovens.

Check out the pics of students working hard!



Puzzle Time -- Grade 7

Seventh grade students have been investigating the interior of the Earth and learning about the different layers. Last week, they were challenged to put together two puzzles. One was cut from blank paper and the other was cut from newspapers. After the students put together the puzzles they worked in their groups to discuss the process and how it differed depending on the puzzle. Most groups concluded that the newspaper puzzle was easier because you can use the pictures and text as clues.

This week, we are learning about Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift Hypothesis and students have the task of blogging about how the two concepts (Puzzle Time activity and Continental Drift) are related. Be sure to check out the Grade 7 blogs to see what great connections they make.

Here are a few pics of students working on their puzzles!

A Slice of Earth and Matching Graphs!

This week 7th grade students have continued investigating what is inside the Earth. Students chose between modeling a slice of Earth using Geometer Sketchpad or using paper. Both ways required students to research the Earth's layers and create a scale model of a slice of the Earth. We worked hard to convert numbers and figure out how to make a model to scale. Students finished the activity by creating "info bubbles" that presented important facts about each layer!

Ninth grade students have been running around the science lab! This is a good thing...students have been using motion detectors to create Distance-Time graphs using LoggerPro on their laptops. The ability to create real-time graphs is a great tool to use in Physics!


Once students finish up with their graph matching we will analyze a ball dropping in slow motion to begin discussing acceleration. Buckle Up!

This past week was Spirit Week! Check out Jacob and me on Nerd Day!
That's a sight for sore eyes!

SMASH DAY! 4 and the Weekly Grind...

SMASH (Smith's Marvelously Awesome Hoopla) Day #4:
For SMASH Day #4 (which happened a few weeks ago) students were challenged to build a "marble obstacle course" that projected the marble over the highest number of "point squares" possible. We used plastic to make each table into a marble arena, and students could use any classroom supplies to make a path for their marble. Students were only allowed 2 "flicks" and got an additional 30 points for getting the marble into the cup at the end of their "run."

Here are few pics of students working in the groups:

Jordan, Artie, Leon, and Kevin contemplating marble paths...or life. :)

Tim getting ready to show off his mad flicking skills.


Grace, Jez, and Savanna creating a smooooth path

Alex H. showing off his finger guard for maximum flicking power.

Some of the 8th grade boys working hard.


A marbles-eye view


The 8th grade girls showing how to work together!


Kevin helping out

Leo, Duke, and Jacky concentrating hard! Can you see the smoke coming out of their ears?!?

The Weekly Grind:
7th Grade:
The seventh graders just finished their human body projects and did a great job showing how their researched systems interact! Look for finished project pictures...coming soon! We have started exploring the Earth and have worked recently to study the Earth's layers. Students will be creating a Slice of the Earth using GSP or paper and pencil

8th Grade:
Students in 8th grade just finished their Snarflemucker projects...they created an entire ecosystem based on one organism from a far-away planet. They created videos, keynotes, or websites to show their ecosystem. Next, 8th graders will begin to investigate Earth's Atmosphere.

9th Grade:
The freshman students finished up Chemistry and started Physics right before Chinese New Year. The rest of the year will be focused on Physics, starting with an investigation of motion and forces. The students have been challenged to create a video in Logger Pro that matches with a distance-time graph that I have given them. This type of inquiry project is only possible because students have access to laptops! Yay for being a 1:1 school!

10th Grade:
Tenth graders finished last semester with a written test over cellular respiration and a small project on the cellular explanation of cystic fibrosis. This semester we have started looking at DNA to see how it is transcribed and translated during protein synthesis.