Laguna’s Lessons

The lab this week was a real team effort.  Period 1 class introduced us to the “crime”, period 2 began making observations, and period 3 recorded a heating curve of the “mystery drink” that sent poor Cody (only acting) to the hospital!  Today, period 1 identified the poison as Isopropyl Alcohol, period 2 used fractional distillation to isolate the compound, and period 4 put the rest of the pieces together by testing the density and flammability of the liquid.  Everyone collaborated on the movie that documents our project.  We had the help of directors, script writers, narrators, artists, technicians, computer helpers, and even the music specialist!  Watch the movie here!

 What science did we put to use for this project?  Let’s hear what you learned…

I have an assignment for you to complete on your own.  You can do this assignment from school computers or at home if you have a computer at home.  It will take about 15 minutes to complete.  Your task is to learn about a career in science called a Conservation Biologist.  While you read you need to find the answers to some questions I have posted below and answer one by adding to the discussion on the wiki.  Here is the link to the article!  Click on the arrows to move through the website.  And here are the questions…you should pick one or two that interest  you and comment in detail on those.  Post your answers on our wiki by clicking this link. 

1.  What did you find interesting or surprising about Eleanor’s education or her experiences with her education?

2.  What types of responsibilities does Eleanor’s job involve?

3.  What aspects of the job of Conservation Biologist would you find most appealing and why?

4.  What challenges has Eleanor had to face in her work?

5.  What do you hope to remember about Eleanor and her job after reading the article?

 

 

 

 

The Transition Metals were the biggest family at the social as you can see in this Family Photo! 

What a great time!  We mingled with the Metalloids and hobnobbed with the Noble Gases!  We made compounds and crowned the King and Queen Element.  Sometimes we learn best when we create something silly and fun.  I hope all the students will remember how individual and unique each element is.  I think it is amazing that all that variety stems from simply varying the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atoms.    Nice work on the poster projects and great participation!  Everyone did a fantastic job!

Let’s try something new…a lab you do at home.  This one doesn’t require you buy anything, just that you exercise your curiosity and inquiry skills. 

Step 1:  Read the lab found at this link.

Step 2:  Make observations as you try the lab and list them in your lab notebook (write the date and use the lab notebook skills you have learned this year.)

Step 3:  Ask your own question to further your understanding of what is happening in the experiment.  Your question should be in the form:  “How will changing the independent variable, _________________ ,affect the dependent variable, ______________?”

Step 4:  Write your procedure and conduct the experiment.  Be sure to record the data in a data table.

Step 5:  Write a conclusion for the experiment.  Follow all the guidelines for writing a lab report. 

Due Date - Let’s make this lab due on Monday, March 16th.  Tell us how it is going or share your research questions by commenting to this post.  It would be great if you could take pictures of your experiment for your lab report.  I’m looking forward to seeing what you learn!

My savvy students feel right at home with Algebra.  They love Algebra so much that they started emailing me pictures from home that showed the concept of linear equations in their stair cases, a decorative plate, a tire iron, and even in a mounted deer. 

Ok, in actuality the students were taking part in a photo contest.  Their submissions were required to depict linear equations in common places at home.  If you’re not sure what linear equations are, you can read the notes that the students added to their pictures.  The winner will be announced later in the week.  I entered the contest myself so I cannot be a judge!  View the pictures and come back here to comment on your favorites!

The energy projects are in and wow…I have to say I’m impressed.  Everyone thought my ban on all premade graphics was too extreme but Team 8 Blue came through with the most amazing homemade graphics I’ve ever seen!   I hope you can visit our wiki and view some of these projects.  Such a great assortment!  Now…I hope you’re happy with how your project turned out.  I am!

This picure was intended to make the students laugh but the motto of our school in the background is an important reminder.  How can we use what we learn at school to serve our community? 

I attended a webinar today.  The speaker encouraged the teachers in our group to take students beyond the curriculum.  She said that we should help the students to apply what they are learning in a way that makes a difference in the real world.  Wow.  I’m not sure how to do that! 

Right now we are studying alternative energy resources.  How could we apply what we are learning and really make a difference?  Let’s brainstorm some ideas…

 

 

View our Heat Technology Projects

The heat technology presentations were very impressive.  While the students were given some choices, they designed projects that were original and innovative.  Students made their own computer graphics or used their artistic skill to draw intricate diagrams.  They made podcasts, movies, Power Points, and cartoons.  We were able to share projects across the class periods and we were able to appreciate the unique differences between our projects. 

What types of projects do you prefer making?  What types of projects do you prefer watching?  I would like us to try to make our projects more interactive.  Any ideas how to make a project that the viewer interacts with?  Share your ideas!

I have been reading up on some of the common household appliances that make use of the heat technology we are reading in Chapter 10.  Some are very challenging to explain but I think it is important to be able to apply the concepts we learn to actual real life experience. 

Some interesting appliances are the toaster (how does it know when to pop the toast out?), the thermostat (why does the heater turn on and off throughout the day?), the refrigerator (will leaving the door open cool the room down?) and the coffee maker (my favorite!) 

I thought it would be fun to research these together and then share what we learn using some kind of online tool.  Our options are as follows.  Share by making blog comments, add to a mind map on Thinkature, or create a new Pageflakes page.  I can’t wait to work together on this.  Check out the links and leave me a comment. 

 

 

 

 

 Here is how we felt before leaving for Christmas break. 

 

 

 

 Here is how we feel now that we have returned from our refreshing break!

(Actually, these are pictures from Sydney’s science fair experiment.  The water in the container represents cerebrospinal fluid and the first egg sustained damage because it lacked enough protective fluid.)

One of the things I like about teaching is that every few months we have a fresh start with a new marking period.  I like to look at the blank grade sheet and realize that every student has another chance to be successful.  Everyone has the opportunity to get on the 100% homework list, go for the honor roll, or strive for the goals they set for themselves. 

I set goals for myself at this time as well.  My goal for this marking periods is to have students take advantage of the podcast kit, cameras, and microphone to create projects that help other people learn about and appreciate science. 

We watched a fun video from Jefferson Labs today that I think can serve as an example.  In the video, two people demonstrate a simple science concept, insulation, using liquid nitrogen to get our attention.  The video was interesting to watch and also helped us appreciate that our observations can be explained by applying science concepts.  What sort of videos can we produce that would make people say, “Wow, now that’s interesting!”  I wonder what ideas the eighth graders on our team can contribute to a video project.