States of Matter

It's the second round for states of matter after the kids have switched GTT/Science Classes. If you are looking for more information on the states of matter, check this link out!!
Advanced class will be completing another Independent study about Matter and its changes.


On another note congrats to the 7th grade girls on a three game winning streak!!! Taking on Breck Co Tonight!!!! Come on out and support the girls!!!

TEST TEST TEST

6th Period Test FRIDAY!!! 9/17/10

Be sure to have your parents sign your study guide.


All classes have guidance lesson with Mrs. McCaslin today.

Vocabulary List for 9-24-10

Every Friday science students will be responsible for a set of vocabulary words. These will build as the year goes on, for example the list on next Friday may be on the test three months from now as well as new words.

List for Next FRIDAY!!!

1. atoms: tiny particles of matter; contains protons, neutrons, and electrons
2. density: measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume (density=mass/volume)
3. physical change: a change in shape, color, size, or state that does not change the chemical composition
4. physical property: observable or measurable property of a substance
5. mixture: two or more substances that are blended but can be separated using their physical properties.

What's the MATTER??

Please excuse the pun! During the next week we will be studying matter and all its glory! If it takes up space and has mass, then it's MATTER!!!

MATTER VOCABULARY

1. physical property
2. matter
3. physical change
4. density
5. states of matter
6. melting point
7. boiling point
8. chemical property
9. chemical change
10. law of conservation of mass

WANT TO KNOW MORE CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE ON MATTER!!!

Surviving Science

Tips to Survive Science!
1. ORGANIZE!!! You have a three-ring binder and dividers, so keep everything in order.
2. Even though I have not assigned homework, you should study your notes or anything that we have done at least fifteen minutes every night.
3. ASK QUESTIONS!!


Check this link out for more study skills that will help you in all classes!! http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/3521.aspx

STUDY HARD and SUCCEED!!

Another Year!!!

It's the beginning of another wonderful year. I plan to keep my blog updated weekly, but we'll just see how that goes as things get busier!! LOL! Here is what's going on

2nd, 3rd, and 8th Period: Currently working on measurement.
5th: Scientific Method Independent Study Presentations TODAY!!
6th: Experimental Design


TEST NEXT THURSDAY!!!! 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 8th Period ONLY!!!


Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!! BE SAFE!!!

Don't Be an Epiphyte!!

Don't be an epiphyte! Have your science roots dug into the ground!!!  Feeling a little lost in science or you just can't get enough???  Here are some awesome links to browse that will get your fix in.  So get off facebook and myspace and get on!!!

-Dragonfly TV:  http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv

         A website that can help you with your class assignments and the SCIENCE FAIR!!!!!

-SciGirls:  http://pbskids.org/scigirls

        OK it says girls but guys you are welcome too!!  Check out the projects and watch some great videos!!

- Design Squad:  http://pbskids.org/designsquad

      Get off the couch and gear up for some competition!  I know we all like reality tv shows and if you like MythBusters you will love this!!  Real students ta

ke on engineering tasks!  They fail, they re-design, they succeed!!!!  

Keep up the good work on the Science Fair Projects and remember this Friday your hypothesis and variable worksheet, material list, and pr

ocedures are due!!!

"Never tell people how to do things.  Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."   ~George Smith Patton

Sick of the SNOW!! Home fun to try!!

Well another snow day!!!  Your stuck in your house, your sick of tv, your sick of you family....and blunty your just sick of the snow.  Here is snow information about snow that you may not have known and some activities to cure the snow day blues!

So where does all this "white stuff" come from?  When cloud temperatures are at the freezing point or below, and there is an ample supply of moisture in the air, ice crystals form around a core particle. As water vapor condenses and freezes, the complex pattern of a snowflake is born, one molecule at a time. A snowflake's hexagonal shape is born at the atomic level. It is here that water molecules bond together into stable crystal structures.

Snow can be further classified into six basic patterns called: Needles, columns, plates, columns capped with plates, dendrites, and stars. Each type is the result of different atmospheric and temperature conditions within the cloud. 

Viewing snow flakes

What you'll need:
Viewing platform: black velvet, dark cloth, or black construction paper
Magnifying glass

Snowflakes are delicate creatures and their fine crystalline shape can vanish at the touch of warmth. You'll need to freeze your viewing surface (keep it in the fridge or outside in a cold dry area). If the snow is falling, just hold your platform aloft to catch a few flakes and view with your magnifying glass. You may need to wear a scarf over the mouth and nose to avoid melting the flakes with a warm breath.

Photographing the flake

You'll need a camera with a "macro" lens and a tripod. Set the camera in a shady spot (sunlight can be deadly to a newborn snowflake "sleeping" on a dark heat-absorbing surface). Set the focus and experiment with exposures. Chances are, unless you are using a fast film, you'll find your exposure time to be between 1/15 to 1/30th of a second. Perhaps longer.

Keeping a "snow journal"

The act of keeping a simple journal is a great way to introduce your child (of any age) to the basic scientific tool of observation. A younger child may simply draw pictures of the kind of snowflakes observed under a magnifying glass, while older kids can embark upon more detailed record keeping.

Parent's tip: A journal is an excellent way to get a head-start on next year's science project. Teachers are always impressed when a child produces a project based upon detailed records and personal observations.

Types of observations to record in your journal:

1. Date, time, and amount of snow fall;
   
2. Temperature of air and snow pack;
   
3. Kinds of snow crystals observed (needles, columns, plates, columns capped with plates, dendrites and stars);
   
4. Weight of unit of snow. Using a small container such as a + cup measuring scoop, gather enough snow to fill container (DO NOT COMPACT SNOW). Use a straight edge (like a ruler or butter knife) to level snow to top of container and weigh it on a postage scale. The idea is to keep the unit volume of snow being measured consistent each time. You'll find that the higher the weight, the higher the water content.

Questions to ask:

1. Is there a relationship between the type of crystals observed and the weight (water content) of the snow?
   
2. How does the air temperature affect crystal formation?
   
3. What happens to snow flakes on the ground over night and after several days? Do they change shape?

Did you know?
The most snow in one season occurred during 1998-1999 when 1,140 inches of snow fell on Mount Baker, Wash. That's a whopping 95 feet of snow! Try shoveling that out of your driveway!

ITS SCIENCE FAIR TIME!!!!

Let the excitement begin!!!  This week students will coming home with information about this years science fair.  Each student will be responsible for their own project.  THIS MEANS NO GROUPS!!!  Check out http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ for project ideas.  This site will also have any handouts that students will be given in class, just in case they become "misplaced." :)  Be sure to view the blog for any upcoming due dates for the science fair!!!!!

Support 6th Grade Girls Basketball!!!

Monday, January 25, the sixth grade girls will open up their season at home against South-Spencer. A-team game starts at 5:30 so come out and cheer them on!!!!!!!!