May Above & Beyond

Watch one of the Nova Science Now videos listed below online. Type a short summary (2-3 paragraphs), which also includes your opinions and reflections as well. You must type it, use 12-point font, and double-space your paper. You can earn up to 2 extra credit points for each summary/reflection.

1.  Capturing Carbon - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0302/03.html
2.  Diamond Factory - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0401/01.html
3.  Fuel Cells - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/01.html4. The Science of Picky Eaters - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0404/01.html
5. T-Rex - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3209/02.html
6. Sleep - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3410/01.html
7. Profile: Sangeeta Bhatia - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0404/04.html
8. Little People of Flores - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beta/evolution/little-people-flores.html
9. Bird Brains - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0304/01.html
10. Public Genomes - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0406/01.html

April Above & Beyond

Earth Day is April 22. In honor of this special day our Above & Beyond will focus on caring for our planet. This months Above & Beyond needs to be turned in by April 30. For 2 points, complete 18 problems and for 4 points, complete all 35 problems. They must be correct to receive credit.

About the 2010 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

About the 2010 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

4th Grade Project

My Pet Insect Project

Instead of taking a test for the Invertebrates topic, the fourth grade students will be completing the “My Pet Insect” project. This project requires:

1.The student is to find a “pet” insect. You do have the option of purchasing an insect, but I prefer that the students find a critter that is part of our ecosystem. Also, the option of setting the pet free at the end of the project may be preferable.
2.Students need to find their pet by the Wednesday, March 24.
3.Depending on your individual pet, you need to create some kind of home for it. It can be as simple as a large freezer bag with holes punched in it. Please do not purchase any kind of elaborate terrarium or cage for this project.
4.The pet may be kept indoors or outdoors.
5.The students will need to complete some research on their insect. I will provide some time during class, but further research may be necessary at home.
a.They will need to find what Order their insect belongs to.
b.They also need to find 5 interesting science facts about their pet.
c.The students need to provide an illustration of the life cycle of
the insect.
d.Include a photo of their actual insect on the back page.
6.This project is due on Wednesday, March 31. The students need to bring in their project booklet and the actual pet to show to the class.

Grading Changes

Beginning the third trimester, grades 5-7 will no longer be able to turn in late work for full credit. Late work will receive half credit for the first week it is missing and no credit after that. Absent work may be turned in for full credit for one week after the due date.

Late work will not be accepted in the 8th grade. Absent work may be turned in for full credit for one week after the due date.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

March Above & Beyond

WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

You may have heard of the 10 Wonders of the World here on Earth, but imagine what the rest of the solar system has to offer in terms of “Wonders”. Of course, you will have to research the components of the solar system (moons, planets, asteroids, meteoroids, plutoids, kuiper belt objects, oort cloud, sedna, comets and the sun) and decide for yourself what wonders you want to learn about.
Find a wonder of space and write a short essay (at least 2 paragraphs) about it. Include a picture or drawing of your wonder. You may complete up to two wonders this month and each is worth 2 points. All work must be received by Wednesday, March 31.

End of the Trimester

The second trimester is coming to an end. Friday, March 5 is the last day that I will accept work. On Monday, we all start with a clean slate :)

February Above & Beyond Update

Sorry! I had to stay home with my sick children today so I was not at school to accept homework and February's Above and Beyond. All of these assignments have a new due date: Tuesday! See you then.

February Above & Beyond

Project: Choose one or two of the following. Each is worth 2 points. Project options:

Periodic Table
1. Select an element from the Periodic Table.
2. Write a brief report on the element and include:
a. When was it discovered?
b. Who discovered it?
c. What is the atomic mass, number, and configuration?
d. What are some of its common uses?
e. Where is it found? (is it mined, found in the soil, or in the atmosphere?)
3. Draw or make a model of the element. (see your teacher for more details).

OR

Scientist
Research a scientist in any science field (ex. biologist, chemist, physicist, geologist, oceanographer, astronomer or meteorologist).
Write a brief report on this person and include:
1. Where was this person born?
2. What made this person famous?
3. How did this person utilize the scientific method?
4. How did this discovery or invention help man progress?

OR

Scientific Event
Research any scientific event in history .
Write a brief report about it and include:
1. What caused it?
2. When did it happen?
3. Where did it take place?
4. How did it happen?
5. Why did it happen?
6. Could this event have been avoided?
7. Could this event happen again?
8. Did this event change mankind? How?

6th Grade Volcano Project

Projects are due Wednesday, February 17. See project details below.

Science Fair Project Update

Just a reminder:

1. The research paper is due Friday, January 29.
2. The presentation board is due Tuesday, February 2.

January Above & Beyond

Go to:

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html#PROJECTS


Each project is worth 2 points. Students can complete 2 projects.

Science Fair Project Paper

Write at least one page for each portion of the scientific method, unless otherwise stated.
1. Topic
-How did you come up with your topic? What questions did you come up with?
2. Research
-What did you learn from your 3 research articles?
-Cite your research!!!!!
3. Hypothesis
- 1/2 page
-Explain how you came up with your hypothesis
-Talk about how your hypothesis has changed over the last few months
- State your final hypothesis
4. Procedure
-step by step final draft
5. Data
-raw data ( just the numbers, notes, etc)
-analyzed data (graphs, charts, etc.)
6. Results
-what does it all mean? what did you learn from the data?
-use your research to help you figure this out.
7. Conclusion
-1/2 page
-Was your hypothesis correct?
-Explain how it was correct or incorret.

Volcano Research Project

Your mission is to find information and report on a volcano that has erupted in the last 100 years. Your reports must include:

1. Type of volcano
2. Geographic location
3. Name, distance, and population of nearest major city
4. Date of most recent eruption and date of most destructive eruption
5. Other events associated with the last eruption (earthquakes, floods, mudslides, etc)

Then, attach a one page description on the major hazards to humans in the vicinity of this volcano. Speculate on what you would do if you were in charge of minimizing the risk to the population.

6. Create a model of this volcano.  You can make it out of any materials (clay, paper mache, Styrofoam, Rice Krispies, etc).  Lava eruptions are optional  (vinegar and baking soda is one option, while mentos and diet coke is another).  The base should be no larger than 2x2 feet.

Underwater Volcano Footage

Thank you to Raquel Lee for emailing this  video to me.  6th graders - check it out!

Gratitude

Thank you for all of your generous gifts this Christmas.  I feel blessed to have all of you in my life!