EMP Research Hard deadline

When we return from break your research packet and works cited page will be due as a hard deadline (no late work will be accepted).

IMPORTANT!   Before you return to school from winter break send your emp research and internet research template to your own email account.  This will allow you to continue research or to electronically submit your work for the hard deadline.  Alternately if you have a flash drive you may save your work to the flash drive and bring the flash drive with your e- work to school in place of emailing the work.

Odd day classes: you will have ~80 minutes of time in the computer lab on 1/3/11 and your research/wcp hard deadline is 1/5/11.  You will most likely need to spend from 1-2 hours doing research over break.

Even classes: your hard deadline for research/wcp is on 1/4/11; you should finish your research over winter break.

EMP textbook research

Use your textbook to find some infromation relevant to your EMP quadrant research and use the OHS golden page to correctly cite the textbook.  Do the research notes and citation in your science notebook.

Celestial events in December

Geminid meteor shower Dec 13-14 10PM till dawn; 12-2 may see 50/hour

Total lunar eclipse December 20^th 10:33PM end ~2 AM dec 21^st the best viewing is ~11:30-1:30

Amnesty Day 12/9/2010

I am offering all students amnesty on ONE SCIENCE assignment from first semester.  I recommend identifying a single project/test assignment (sinker lab and NoS/metrics tests are best if either is not passing) for the biggest affect on your grade.  Test revisits earn .7 points for each point revised and the sinker lab can be completed for all 100 points as graded by the rubric.

Amnesty requirements:
1.  The assignment must be complete
2.  The answers must be correct
3.  Amnesty assignments should require nothing from the teacher, Amnesty only works if you saved the original work and hondouts
4.  Labs & projects graded by a rubric must include the original rubric or copy of the rubric when turned in.  Test revisits for amnesty require you turn in the original test with the amnesty revisions.
5.   In the top margin clearly make an @ symbol to identify you follow directions and want to earn amnesty.

Any amnesty assignment is due by 12:40 PM on December 9th.  

origins 4

read p 780-791

Origins 3

from re-reading 805-812  1) how long will the Sun continue to fuse hydrogen?  2) Describe each of the different spectra  3) How do spectra relate to study of stars?

End of Semester dates

I do not give final exams the last week of school.  Students will have a major unit test on origins Thursday/Friday of next week.  The last week of the semester students will be starting to do research for the Earth/Moon Project with some research being due before the winter break.  I will post more information about the E/MP as we progress towards semester end on December 17th.

Origins 2 HW & Stellar life cycle mini project

Read 821-825 and 805-812 book and conduct internet research for stellar life cycle mini project.


You will only have ~ half the period to illustrate your poster, come prepared with content for the stage diagrams and illustrations.


 

•In table groups you will be assigned a possible stellar life cycle to explain through a colored diagram that illustrates and explains the star’s origin (birth) to end point (death) and all of the stages in between.

•I will grade your poster (20 pt proj/test) using a SUBJECTIVE Rubric (=I will grade based on what I see and how much I like it!).  The components I will grade (5-0 points each) are as follows:

–Content; does your poster explain both visually and through labels the life cycle of your star type?  Describe what is happening to the star in at least 5 stages

–Illustration Quality; do the diagrams/drawings/lettering show attention to detail to produce a legible, colorful and neat poster?  I like student generated illustrations best photocopies or print outs won’t earn more than a 3 for this category.  You will not be able to print images from class.

–Cooperative Group; did I observe all members working constructively to complete the poster in the very short time frame provided?

Origins 2

HW:  read 813-820 and use the HR Diagram in the book to answer the following questions

1.What determines a star's color? 

2. Is the size of a star the only factor that determines the star's absolute magnitude? 

3.  What is the approximate surface temperature of the sun? 

4.  Explain why white dwarfs have such low absolute magnitudes. 

5.  What type of star forms the majority of visible stars in the sky? 

Due

even on 11/29  

odd on 11/30

Expanding Universe HW

Use the data from your galaxies to complete question #5 as HW in your notebook.

Directions for individual HW:  on paper to turn in copy down the data for your three galaxies in a ruled data table and answer #5 and show math work.

Use the formula for speed to find the age of the universe given.  Distance from home galaxy (cm)/change (cm/BY) = age in billions of years.

5. Use the formula for all three of your galaxies, show your work and find the average to report the age of the universe.  Circle your final answer.

Portfoio Assignment Notes

The first week of term three I described the asignment note coversheet assignment for your senior year's graduation portfolio requirements.  The official assignment for credit this year is through your Humanities class due on December 3rd. 

I demonstrated how to find the electronic document for the assignment note coversheet in Ms. Sotomayor's outbox in the Teacher Desk.  I stressed the importance of completing an assignment note cover sheet for an assignment in each of your classes WAY BEFORE 12/3/2010.  The actual written assignment is fairly short and mostly based on your opinion; these will be notes you reference for the senior graduation portfolio.   The tricky part is getting each of your teachers and advisor to sign your assignment note coversheets. 

I am available to sign assignment note coversheets during my office hours, see office hours tab posted on this blog.

I have not given a regular homework assignment for two periods and the next homework assignment won't be until next week.

DO THIS NOW

Portfolio

Assignment Notes Cover

Student Name:

Title of Assignment:

Course:

Date of Assignment:

Outcomes:  (Check off the ones that apply)

	1.1 Communicator: Writing		3.1 Creative Thinker
	1.2 Communicator: Reading		3.2 Critical & Reflective Thinker
	1.3 Communicator: Oral Language		4 Cooperative Worker
	2 Problem Solver & Self Directed Learner		5 Respectful and Responsible Citizen

Teacher Signature                                                                            

Describe the assignment:

What did you learn from the assignment that was meaningful to you?

Stuff/chemical compounds quiz rescheduled

For a variety of reasons the quiz has been rescheduled until next week.  Study!

2nd term progress reports

Students recieved print outs of the 2nd term progress report.  The progress reports need to be returned by 11/19/10 with a parent/gaurdian signature.

Stuff videos

To re-watch or if your class did not see the video.

video that attempts to illustrate the 11 dimensions of string theory; I connected the video to multiple universe theory:  http://www.tenthdimensioncom/flash2.php

A short video on gravity
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/rela-space-w-220.html

a short video on string theory to unify electromagnetic and gravitational forces
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/media2/3012_q_04.html

Origins 1

HW read p. 847-851 and study for quiz on stuff & chemical compounds.

Atomic stuff

Read p 60-69 and do all of the problem solving lab on p 63

Even due 11/4
odd due 11/5

Element chart & stuff read

read 53-59 & do Mini lab p 55: make a ruled data table and answer all questions in your notebook.

even due 11/2/10

odd due 11/3/10

Odd Classes on Sinker lab and test

The NoS/metric/measurement test is on Monday
Final drafts of the sinker lab were in class on Thursday.  I will accept labs turned in at the start of the period on Monday 11/1/10; they will be considered late, but not for a point deduction.  Homework is to finish any parts of the FD you did not complete during class today.

HOME WORK pass for any complete labs that earn 70 points or more AND are turned in by Friday


I have pasted the analyiss and conclusion section reminders below:

Analysis:  include your calculations and math work for doing the oz to g conversions, relative and percent error.  Make a bar graph that compares each sinker’s posted mass to your measured mass using metric units; make the posted mass one color and the measured mass another color for a two colored bar graph.

Conclusion: (restate the hypothesis, explain how you answered the question or not and compare numeric results to prove or refute your hypothesis, discuss observations as possible sources of errors & impact of error on results and propose a next step and who outside of this science class might care about these lab results or this type of science?)

Even Classes Sinker labs & Test

The NoS/metric/measurement test is on Friday.

Final drafts of the sinker lab are due at the start of the period on TUESDAY 11/2/10.  Homework is to finish any parts of the FD you did not complete during class today.

HOME WORK pass for any complete labs that earn 70 points or more AND are turned in by Friday


I have pasted the analyiss and conclusion section reminders below:

Analysis:  include your calculations and math work for doing the oz to g conversions, relative and percent error.  Make a bar graph that compares each sinker’s posted mass to your measured mass using metric units; make the posted mass one color and the measured mass another color for a two colored bar graph.

Conclusion: (restate the hypothesis, explain how you answered the question or not and compare numeric results to prove or refute your hypothesis, discuss observations as possible sources of errors & impact of error on results and propose a next step and who outside of this science class might care about these lab results or this type of science?)

conversions 4

1.  Convert your weight into mass written in kg.
2.  You should drink 1-2L of water each day; how much water is that in cups?

volumetrics conclusion

Observations:

Analysis:  find the other lab groups that tested the same containers as your group, from those amounts find the average volume for each container using each device.  This is what you will compare to the teacher volumes.

Conclusion: (Restate your hypothesis and note the logic behind it.  Which device was most accurate?  Describe how/why you know this.  How do your numbers compare to the other groups that measured the same containers? To the teacher’s?  What errors might have occurred? No next step/context required)

Ben's volumetrics data

http://benhelpswithscience.blogspot.com/

conversions 3

Dimensional Analysis                                     

Directions: Use the conversion relations given or determine the conversion relationship to solve each of these problems.  Show the dimensional analysis work and circle your answer to earn full credit.

English Standard Units – Metric Units	Metric units – Metric units
3.7 feet = ? cm (1 inch = 2.54 cm)	22.24daL = ? cL
9.5 gallons = ? L (1 ounce = 29.6 mL & 1 gallon = 128 ounces)	1857 mm = ? m
8.3 km = ? miles (use your planner to find the CR as taught in class)	.0294g = ? mg
1 pound = ? grams (1 pound = .4536 kg)	40km/1 hour = ? m/second

Even Due 10/25
Odd Due 10/26

Dimensional Analysis

Students in the past have often struggled with this crucial science math content.  I have given examples in class and provided students with step by step notes outling how to do dimensional analysis.  If you still do not understand how to do the math; practice is key. 

The following webpage video will go over how to do dimensional analysis with a slightly different take then my notes.  You can also find sample problems by doing a web search for dimensional analysis problems; practice is the best way to learn.

http://www.brightstorm.com/science/chemistry/introduction-to-chemistry/dimensional-analysis

metric -metric conversions 2

Convert each and show math work:
 
1) 20 dm- ?km 
2) 120 cm – ?dam 
3) 1,560 mm – ?hm 
4)  20mg – ?g  
5) .3207 daL- ?cL

Even classes due 10/21/10 
Odd classes due 10/22/10

Metric-metric conversion 1 ODD classes

Conversions:
Given 333 dL convert to dal.
Given .0008 hm convert to mm

Due 10/20/10

Metric-metric 1 EVEN classes

Conversions:
Given 2007 centimeters convert to hectometers.
Given 2L convert to mL

Due 10/19/10

Odd classes only Finish Drops 2 lab

You should only need to write the conclusion as homework.

Conclusion:              Do not write the questions or simply answer them.  Write the conclusion in   

                                   paragraph format with complete sentences. 

Restate your hypothesis and state how/why it was an educated guess? 

Did you answer the question?

                        Do your results compare to the other tables?  Explain.

                        How might observations during data collection be sources of error?                                                              How can you redo your experiment to attain more accurate

results?

How old are you?

Consider your age (number of years and days) and calculate how old you are in hours. Show math work.


Period 5: You will need to complete the RD for the Drops 2 lab if you did not finish it in class.

First term progress reports

Students were given detailed progress reports on Monday/Tuesday. I Advised students on how to interpret the progress report and asked them to take it home and share the information with a parent/guardian signature. All classes have a due date of 10/8/10.

no HW for period 1 & 3

The Youth Speaks assembly pre-empted any HW.

Period 5 students need to complete the analysis and conclusion portion of drops 1 (RD or FD)

Question: How many drops of water can a penny hold?

Hypothesis: What is your educated guess to answer the question? No wild guesses. You may compare a single drop NEXT to a penny. Do not start the experiment.

Test: Describe how you will conduct the experiment in a sentence or two

Materials: record every item used for data collection.

Procedures: Record step by step directions of how each material is used in your experiment include a diagram that helps to illustrate complex procedures. I expect your rough drafts to be wrong, make sure the student recording your final draft to turn in includes the actual procedures & diagram that you use.

Data table: have room to include ten trials of data collection. Yes, do the experiment ten times, make sure everyone in your group has an opportunity to collect data by doing the experiment at least two times.

Analysis: show an example of how you calculated the average # of drops for the trial you did and create a table that displays the average number of drops on a penny for all the groups doing the experiment this period. Make a bar graph that compares the # of drops for each trial and the average number of drops.

Conclusion: Do not write the questions or simply answer them. Write the conclusion in paragraph format with complete sentences.
Restate your hypothesis and state how/why it was an educated guess?
Did you answer the question? What was the ave. number of drops a penny held?
Do your results compare to the other tables? Explain.
How might observations during data collection be sources of error? How can you redo your experiment to attain more accurate results?

NoS: Methods of Science question #2-5

Finish questions #2-5 that you copied down during DSW last class.

Methods of Science

The job of a scientist is to observe and explain the natural world. Many observations do not have an obvious explanation, so scientists generate hypotheses, or potential explanations, and test them with experiments.
A good scientist considers all the factors that might be responsible for what he or she observes. Factors that can vary and that we can measure are called variables; examples of variables include temperature, time, water level, number of organisms, and so on. We can investigate the role of a specific variable by keeping all other variables constant while changing the variable we are testing and then observing what happens. This process is called a controlled experiment. For example, we might hypothesize that fish swim slowly at night because the water becomes cool. In a controlled experiment, we would examine the swimming speed of fish at different temperatures. The variable that we change, in this case water temperature, is called the independent variable. The variable that we think is affected by the independent variable, in this case swimming speed, is called the dependent variable. We could also hypothesize that fish swim more slowly at night because it's dark, and we would then examine the influence of light level (an inde¬pendent variable) on swimming speed (the dependent variable).

THINK ABOUT IT

1. Why don't scientists try to test many variables in a single experiment?



WRITING HYPOTHESES

Hypotheses are critical to scientific investigation because they form the bases of our experimental design. Writing good hypotheses can be trickier than you think. We can make a number of statements about fish swimming speed that can be inter¬preted in different ways by changing just a few words. For example, consider the following:
• Fish swam slowly last night.
• Cold temperatures caused fish to swim slowly last night.
• Fish swimming speed is influenced by temperature: at cool nighttime tempera¬tures they swim more slowly than at warmer daytime temperatures.
Each statement includes references to fish swim speed and temperature. How¬ever, each statement has its own meaning and only one can be considered a hypothesis. The first is not a hypothesis because rather than stating an explanation, it simply states two facts: (1) fish swam slowly and (2) it was nighttime what happened (fish swam slowly because it was cool);
it states this explanation as an indisputable fact and is therefore not testable. Only the last statement is a hypothesis. It proposes an explanation for the swim speed of fish at night (temperatures are cooler), and it is testable because we can put fish in water of different temperatures and observe their swim speed.

A good hypothesis clearly states what variable we want to test and predicts it effect. It is not important if your hypothesis turns out to be right or wrong. What matters is that you can test it and draw an appropriate conclusion based on your data.

CONVERTING QUESTIONS TO HYPOTHESES

Below are some questions about the environment. Read them, and identify what variables can be controlled (independent) and what variables will be observed (dependent). Rewrite each question as a hypothesis. Double-underline the independent variable. and single underline the dependent variable. Your hypothesis should clearly state the predicted response of the dependent variable when the independent variable is manipulated. The independent variable can be increased, decreased, or even removed during the experiment.

For example, the question, "Is the rate at which a substance gains or loses heat related to its density?" can be restated as the hypothesis, "The more dense substance is, the faster it will gain heat." Other possibilities are equally valid for example, "the more dense a substance is, the more slowly it will gain heat,"
2. Question: How does the amount of energy that hits the Earth in the form of light rays relate to the angle at which those rays strike (latitude)?

3. Question: Does rainfall influence the distribution of different biomes such deserts, grasslands, and forests? '

4. Question: Does the extinction of a predator species result in a faster rate population growth in the prey species?

5. Question: Is plant cover related to soil erosion?

NoS: Methods of Science question #1

Answer question number 1 from the Directed Silent Read/Write done in class today. Don't try questions #2-5 until I have gone over how to do them in class.

Due 10/5 for odd
Due 10/6 for even

NoS:Tom's Scientific Method

Students were given a handout to complete for homework.

Odd due date 10/1/10
Even due date 10/4/10

Nature of Science 1

Read p 5-16 and give three reasonable explanations why we should study Earth Science.

Group Mapping test

Monday for odd Tuesday for even classes

Study your notes, CW/HW and readings. Dress for the weather the prediction is HOT and we will be on Milagra Ridge.

Mapping three practice

Study your notes and book for the upcoming maptest the week of 9/27.

#1. Count the number of strides it takes to walk from E-W the courtyard or the cafeteria.

#2 Use your stride length from today's CW activity to estimate the size of the cafeteria or courtyard from #1 in meters.

Text 4 (topo map lab)

all classes:

Read p 42-43 and do all of the topographic map lab in your notebook.

HINT: string helps and you have a ruler in your planner:)

text 3 & questions

read p. 32-41 & 1.) Describe the roles of the emitter and transmitter in the Topex/Poseidon satellite 2) What is the median wavelength for X rays?

Text 2 & maps

Odd day classes:
-Read pages 27-31 &
-be sure to finish the FOP map by Thursday's hard deadline at 12:40PM &
-if you did not finish the individual grade reflections in class, finish them as HW



Even day classes:
-Read pages 27-31 & on paper to turn in; on one side make detailed written directions from your home to school. On the other side make a map of the written directions. On the map the only writing should be labels for street names or landmarks.
-be sure to finish the FOP map by Thursday's hard deadline at 12:40PM &
-if you did not finish the individual grade reflections in class, finish them as HW

Indi work journal

This would be the 3rd entry, not including the DSW done in class today.

Earth Science Text book 1

HW1:  indi work journal for FOP Map.  1) What did you do towards the completion of the FOP map?  2)  What did each member of your group do during map production?

HW2:  read p 925-938; based on your text reading: 1) list four critical thinking skills 2) what types of measurement will we make in science?  3) list your favorite four methods for organizing information.