| Astronomy |
Astronomy1
|
Sunspots Spotted |
In this activity students will study sunspots and their motion.
From data gathered, they will determine the significance of the sunspot data. The data
will be used to calculate the rotational period of the sun. The students will then draw
conclusions as to the sunspot's impact on the world. This activity will also include a
historical study of astronomy. |
| Electrostatics |
Electrostatics1 |
A Hair Raising Experience |
This activity is designed to help students understand the
concept of charged particles and neutral materials. Students will work with conductors and
insulators to produce, detect, and transfer charges. |
Electrostatics 2 |
A Positively NEGATIVE Experience |
Students will work in cooperative learning groups to discover
how Gauss's Law applies to conductors and dielectric materials. |
| Geology |
| Geology 1 |
Topsy-turvy
Maps |
Students
will use the data analyzer and motion detector to collect data and measure distances. The
graphing calculator will be used to show the profile of the simulated land features. They
will create topographic maps drawn to scale of a given setup and relate the concepts to
the creation of historical ocean maps. |
| Geology
2 |
Dirty Investigation |
Given a set of minerals found
with the skeleton of an ancient traveler, students will identify the
minerals, plot their location on a map, and determine the trail the man
walked. Finally the students will right a story about the adventures they
think the man might have had. Suitable for 4th and 5th grade students. |
| Lasers |
Lasers 1 |
Discount Lenses (Gelatin Wave Guides)
|
A study of the attributes associated with the concept of fiber
optics is done using a labmade fiber optic from clear molded gelatin. A variety of shapes
can be cut and pieced together to form a conduit to transmit the laser beam by internal
reflection. |
Lasers 2 |
Laser Eyes
|
The students will observe the "speckled"
pattern produced by a He-Ne laser projected upon a wall or screen. By moving the head from
side to side, the students will notice that the speckled pattern appears to move either in
concert with their motion (in the same direction) or opposite their motion. This apparent
movement correlates to the observer's visual acuity (nearsightedness/farsightedness). This
phenomenon can be used as a basis to collect data either locally or via the Internet. |
Lasers 3 |
Straining for Sound |
Using a laser along with computer microphone probeware and the
appropriate software, students determine the speed of rotating objects.An audio amplifier
is connected to a solar cell to change the laser light signal into a sound signal. A
simple calculation is required to find the rate of rotation. |
| Radioactivity |
Radioactivity
1 |
Radiation Protection: How much is enough? |
The objective of this laboratory exercise is to study the
effects of shielding on the amount of detectable radioactivity from a gamma source.
Students will investigate the shielding of one type of metal, then design their own
experiments to answer questions raised during the investigation. Based on information
about various methods currently used for protection and their own investigations, students
will be asked to offer their opinions on the best method of protection from nuclear
radiation in a practical situation. |
Radioactivity
2 |
Can't touch This! |
The overall objective of this activity is to discover the best
practical shielding material when dealing with radioactive substances. The student will
observe, collect, and record data using different sources of shielding materials. The
students will be asked to draw conclusions based on availability of materials, price, and
best shielding properties. |
Radioactivity3 |
Surviving a Cosmic Invasion |
This topic concerns the use of nuclear power plants, why people
protest when plants are located near them, catastrophic events that have occured, nuclear
particles in the air, war use, and the storage of radioactive materials. this should allow
the students to develop a significant awareness of radioactivity. |
| Calculator
Activites |
Calculator 1 |
Coca-Cola Lab |
The objective of
this lab is to compare the pH of Coca-Cola from the USA to the pH of Coca-Cola from
Mexico. We will also test and compare the pH of other liquids. |
| Calculator 2 |
Determining the Concentration
of a Solution: Beer's Law |
To determine the concentration of an unknown
nickel (II) sulfate solution by using the colorimeter. |
| Calculator 3 |
Finding Pi |
Toss popcorn to determine the value for pi. |
| Other |
Movies |
Dropping marbles |
Marbles are dropped into several different viscous liquids.
From these short movies data can be taken. |
Crime Investigations |
|
This is a complete workbook for teachers in grades k-3.
It is a PDF file so it will open with your Acrobat Reader. |
PowerPoint |
Scientific Theories Unit One |
Shelley Thompson from Story Elementary in Allen produces
PowerPoint presentations like this using a digital camera. Students who miss class,
never miss the information. |
| Milken Projects
Picture Time
Roll Controll
Paint by Number
Pickle Juice
Light Loss |
 |
These activities are designed for teachers in grades k-12.
It is saved as a PDF file. You will need Acrobat Reader to access the files.
If you do not have it, see below for free download. These can also be found in HTML
format at
http://hice.eecs.umich.edu/curriculumlets/ |
