Mr. Lengacher's Class Blog

12/16/09 Physical Science

2009-12-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students continued to use the study guide to review for the Mid-Term Exam.

Resources:
Physical Science Mid-Term Exam Study Guide
Mid-Term Exam Review Presentation (#1-11)
Mid-Term Exam Review Presentation (#12-28)
Mid-Term Exam Review Presentation (#29-46)

12/14/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We began reviewing for the Earth Science Mid-Term Exam.
Note: The exam is this Friday!
Resource:
Earth Science Mid-Term Exam Study Guide

12/14/09 Physical Science

2009-12-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We began reviewing for the Physical Science Mid-Term Exam.
Resource:
Physical Science Mid-Term Study Guide

12/10/09 Physical Science

2009-12-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students continued CPO lab 7.3 Resistance. They classified materials as conductors, insulators, or semi-conductors based on test data. Students also crafted evidence-based arguments about the effect of circuit length on resistance. Students began CPO lab 8.1 on Ohm's Law.

Resources:
7.3 Resistance Presentation
8.1 Ohm's Law Presentation

12/10/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-10T09:16:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students learned about the movement and storage of groundwater from section 10.1.

12/9/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-09T07:07:00.001-08:00

Today's Activities: Students completed the Chapter 9 Surface Water test.

12/9/09 Physical Science

2009-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We started the CPO Investigation 7.3 Resistance. We learned that ohms are a measure of electrical resistance in materials. They recorded resistance measurements for various materials and attempted to classify them as conductors, insulators, or semi-conductors.

12/8/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students had the entire class period to complete the Chapter 9 Study Guide.
Note: Chapter 9 Test tomorrow.

Resource:
Chapter 9 test

12/8/09 Physical Science

2009-12-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We finished the CPO Lab 7.2 on Current by reflecting on the data collected during yesterday's testing. Students were asked to read the CPO hardcover book section 7.3 Resistance. They were also asked to complete p. 126 Vocabulary in their journals.

12/7/09 Engineering Class

2009-12-07T09:42:00.001-08:00

Today's Activities: Engineering teams learned how to use Bluetooth technology to get two different robots to communicate with each other.

12/7/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students learned about Lake and Wetlands Development.

12/7/09 Physical Science

2009-12-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We wrapped up our investigation into voltage and started CPO lab 7.2 Current. We defined "current" and amperes. The students collected data about the current in circuits that included 1 and 2 bulbs.

Resources:
7.1 CPO Lab Notes (conclusion)

12/4/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students learned about stream formation by taking notes on chapter 9.2.

12/4/09 Physical Science

2009-12-04T07:14:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We continued our study of CPO Investigation 7.1 Voltage. Today we used an electrical meter to measure the voltage of different battery combinations with and without a bulb in the circuit.

12/3/09 Physical Science

2009-12-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We concluded CPO lab 6.2, "Charge" by drawing conclusions from yesterday's test evidence about the nature of positive and negative electric charges. We also started learning about voltage.

Resources:
CPO Lab 6.2 Charge Presentation
CPO Lab 7.1 Voltage Presentation

12/3/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-03T07:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We continued our study of 9.1 Surface Water Movement. Students completed their notes on the presentation. They were also given the following assignment: Chapter 9 Assessment p. 136-137 (include page numbers for 5 points extra credit).

12/2/09 Physical Science

2009-12-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We started CPO Lab 6.2 "Charge". Students observed the interactions between various charged pieces of tape on an improvised electroscope.

12/2/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students took notes on a presentation on 9.1 Surface Water Movement.

12/1/09 Physical Science

2009-12-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students continued CPO Lab 6.1 "What is a Circuit?" We came up with a general rule for building circuits. Students then built circuits with and without a switch on a circuit board. They learned how to use standard electrical symbols to draw circuit diagrams. We discussed how "closed" and "open" circuits related to those that they built.

12/1/09 Engineering Class

2009-12-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students began the first of three multi-week engineering projects. They viewed presentations giving an overview of the engineering process, the Sentry System project, and project planning techniques. The students then started Investigation 1 on Multiple Sensors as part of the Research phase.

12/1/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-12-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: The students took the Chapter 8 Test on Erosional Forces. They also started to take notes on Chapter 9.1 on Surface Water Movement.

11/30/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: The students had the entire class period to work on their Chapter 8 Test Review Guide. The Chapter 8 test will be tomorrow.

Resources:
Chapter 8 Test Study Guide

11/30/09 Physical Science

2009-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We began a new unit on electrical energy with CPO lab 6.1, What Is a Circuit? Students built a simple electrical circuit using one wire, a battery and a bulb. They recorded their findings by drawing a picture of the setup.

11/24/09 Engineering Class

2009-11-24T12:11:00.001-08:00

Today's Activities: Students took the "Gears and Speed" Quiz. This marks the end of the teacher directed portion of the Robotics Engineering course. Students will start their multi-week engineering projects when they return from Thanksgiving break.

11/24/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We reviewed concepts from section 8.3 on Glacial Erosion. The students took notes from the following presentation.

Note: The Chapter 8 Test will be on Tuesday, December 1st.

11/24/09 Physical Science

2009-11-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students continued to work on CPO Investigation 5.3 Energy Transformations. They learned about different forms of energy and were asked to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Note: The lesson has been modified since yesterday, so check the new presentation below.

11/23/09 Physical Science

2009-11-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students started CPO Investigation 5.3 Energy Transformations. They learned about different forms of energy and were asked to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

11/23/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We reviewed concepts from section 8.2 on Wind Erosion. The students took notes from the following presentation.

11/19/09 Physical Science

2009-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We continued our work on CPO Lab 5.2 Energy Conservation. Students finished running trials with a marble on a rollercoaster and recording height and speed data. They were asked to create a graph comparing speed and height to the position of the marble on the rollercoaster.

Resources:

11/19/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students took notes on section 8.1 Mass Movements and 8.2 Wind Erosion.

11/18/09 Physical Science

2009-11-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Today we continued CPO Lab 5.2 Energy Conservation. Students evaluated their trial data from yesterday and tried to find the effect of height and direction of motion on the speed of a marble on a rollercoaster.

11/18/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students practiced their note-taking skills while viewing a PowerPoint. We covered different types of Mass Movements due to gravity.

11/16/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-16T07:47:00.002-08:00

Today's Activities: Students were given the entire class to study for the Chapter 7 Test, which will be given tomorrow.

11/16/09 Physical Science

2009-11-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We finished the CPO Lab 5.1 "Work". Students learned how to calculate work done by multiplying force by the distance moved. They also started to look at the relationship between work and types of energy.

11/9/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We continued our study of weathering and erosion by working with models of river systems. Students modeled a river system that would run for 50 years after humans built a dam across the river. They also modeled the effects of glacial erosion and subsequent river erosion.

11/9/09 Physical Science

2009-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students finished the CPO chapter 4: Machines and Mechanical Systems Test. They used the CPO Lab Manual, CPO Hardcover Textbook, and their notes as references.

Ch. 4, Machines and Mechanical Systems Test
p. 77 all three vocabulary sets (Copy each vocabulary term and write the letter of the matching definition.)
p. 78 #3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
p. 79 # 1a, 1c, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

11/6/09 Physical Science

2009-11-06T05:53:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: Students took a test on the work they have done on simple machines. They used the CPO Lab Manual, CPO Hardcover Textbook, and their notes as references.

Ch. 4, Machines and Mechanical Systems Test
p. 77 all three vocabulary sets (Copy each vocabulary term and write the letter of the matching definition.)
p. 78 #3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
p. 79 # 1a, 1c, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

11/5/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-11-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Today's Activities: We continued our study of weathering and erosion by working with models of river systems. Students modeled a river system that would run for 5000 years and recorded different features that were formed due to erosion and deposition.

The Erosion Homework Project is due tomorrow! Please use the document below to review details. All PowerPoints should be emailed to: rlengacher@fsu.edu

Erosion Homework Project (due 11/06)

11/5/09 Physical Science

2009-11-05T07:25:00.001-08:00

Today's Activities: Students finished working on CPO Lab 4.3 Designing Gear Machines. They tested different configurations of gears and used the data to derive the mathematical formula for mechanical advantage in gear machines.

10/30/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today students were assigned a Project to demonstrate erosion (due 11/06) in their environment. A link to the instruction sheet can be found below. We also review some important concepts about erosion and soil. The following assignments should be completed by next Tuesday:

Review Questions for 7.1 Weathering
Review Questions for 7.2 Erosion
Vocabulary Items (assigned 10/29)
Review Questions for 7.3 Soil

Resource:

Erosion Homework Project (due 11/06)

10/30/09 Physical Science

2009-10-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students wrapped up our lab on pulley systems by deriving the mathematical formula to determine the input force needed to lift an object. We started CPO Lab 4.2 The Lever by exploring various ways to get the lever to achieve equilibrium, and students devised ways to record the results.

10/29/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-29T06:41:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students completed a vocabulary exercise for chapter 7 on Weathering, Erosion, and Soil. They were asked to define the terms in their own words and record the page numbers. Here are the words:

Weathering
Erosion
Mechanical weathering
Frost wedging
Exfoliation
Chemical weathering
Hydrolysis
Oxidation
Deposition
Rill erosion
Gully erosion
Soil
Soil profile
Soil horizon

10/29/09 Physical Science

2009-10-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 4.1 on Forces in Machines. Students used a block and tackle to lift a block with 4 steel weights attached. They measured the number of supporting strands and the force needed to lift the block with different configurations. The class ended with students using inductive reasoning to derive a formula to describe how a pulley system can multiply forces.

10/16/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students continued to examine the impact of the Jet Streams on our weather in North America. Students plotted the path of the jet stream using weather station symbols on a map, compared the position they inferred to the actual weather, and then we plotted the jet stream for this morning over the southeast to infer its influence on the unstable weather and upcoming cool weather this week.

Resources:
NWS DataStream Wind Map (updated regularly)
NWS DataStream Weather Map (updated regularly)

10/16/09 Physical Science

2009-10-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students continued CPO lab 3.2 Weight, Gravity and Friction to see the relationship between increased weight and the speed of a car down a ramp. They ran trials with a car that had increasing mass, graphed the results, and created arguments that inferred the effect of mass on speed and how their hypotheses compared.

10/15/09 Physical Science

2009-10-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students began CPO lab 3.2 Weight, Gravity and Friction. They made informal observations of a phenomenon to formulate a hypothesis about the effect of adding mass on a car's downhill speed. Students designed a simple experiment to test this effect.

10/15/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We examined the effect of the Jet Stream on regional weather patterns. Students viewed a short movie about the 1993 midwest floods and how the jet stream contributed to this disaster.

10/13/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-13T06:36:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We finished reviewing the causes of the jet stream. We then examined how temperature gradients (differences) between warm equatorial air masses and cooler polar air masses can lead to the polar jet stream. We examined data using the "Jet Stream and Temperature Gradients" interactive tool.

10/13/09 Physical Science

2009-10-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We concluded CPO lab 3.1. The students evaluated the four graphs their team made relating acceleration, force, and mass to see if one showed a direct relationship. They found that there is a directly proportional relationship between acceleration and force. We ended class by deriving Newton's Second Law of Motion (A = f/m) from our experiences.
Assignment: Read and answer questions in class from the hardcover CPO textbook, section 3.1.

10/12/09 Physical Science

2009-10-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students created different types of graphs to see if a pattern of relationship can be found between force, mass, and acceleration.

10/12/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We reviewed how uneven heating of the earth, different angular momentums, and convection work together to produce jet streams in our atmosphere. We used the "Giving Rise to the Jet Stream" interactive. Students answered questions about the topic.

10/8/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students took notes on Weather Detection Systems and how they can be used to improve weather analysis and detection.

Resources:

Earth as a System Movie (from Teacher's Domain)
Weather Movie from WVIZ, Cleveland (Cheesy, but good information. Especially good sequence at forecasting and sports events)

10/8/09 Physical Science

2009-10-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued the challenging CPO Lab 3.1 on Force, Mass, and Acceleration. Students spent the entire class period calculating the speeds and accelerations for all of their trials. They were asked to make observations about patterns and relationships in their data, particularly about the relationship between force and motion (acceleration).

10/7/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we reviewed the larger wind currents that drive weather on our planet and we looked at how convection along with the Coriolis effect forms these wind currents.

10/7/09 Physical Science

2009-10-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 3.1 Force, Mass and Acceleration. The students conducted trials and collected force and speed data for their car at different ramp angles with different numbers of weights attached. Students should show speed and acceleration calculations on another page in their journal and fill in the rest of their data chart.

10/6/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students took notes on a PowerPoint presentation that covered the characteristics of air masses. We also began to look at the interactions between air masses through convection.

10/6/09 Physical Science

2009-10-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 3.1 Force, Mass and Acceleration. The students used triple-beam balances to find the mass of their cars with different weights attached, and they used spring scales to measure the amount of force exerted on the car on the ramp.

10/5/09 Engineering Class

2009-10-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We finished the Measured Turns investigation by finding that Dr. Turner's hypotheses apply to both swing turn predictions and point turn predictions. We concluded the class by starting the Measured Turns Quiz.

10/5/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we reviewed the main cause of weather and climate on Earth - the uneven heating of the earth's surface due to the planet's tilt on it axis.

10/5/09 Physical Science

2009-10-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we planned a systematic observation to test the effect of changing the ramp angle and adding weights (mass) on the force pulling a car down a ramp. We listed equipment needed, identified variables and values, and prepared our data collection chart. I demonstrated how to use a spring scale to measure the force (in Newtons) on the car and how to use the triple beam balance to find the mass of the car.

10/2/09 Physical Science

2009-10-02T07:46:00.001-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we wrapped up CPO Lab 2.3 by discussing ways to manipulate speed and acceleration in the car and ramp situation. The students began CPO Lab 3.1 Force, Mass, and Acceleration. They designed an experiment where the force due to gravity on the car will be manipulated.

10/1/09 Engineering Class

2009-10-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We solved complex engineering problems by applying the Robot Turning hypothesis and the Distance and Wheel Size hypothesis.

10/1/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-10-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students continued to work on their textbook assignments (see below). I also showed some short video clips about Death Valley in California and how geological and atmospheric interactions formed this unique landscape.We finished the class by reviewing the answers to the Chapter 11 Open Book Test

Section 12.4 (due 10/2)

Resources:
"You Can Die Here" Video Clip from PBS Nature

"Clouds and Currents" Video Clip from PBS Nature

10/1/09 Physical Science

2009-10-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we reflected on our findings about the car's acceleration on the ramp. We compared the acceleration we derived from the slope of the trendline on the graph to the acceleration we derived from an equation. During the last part of class students ran another trial to visually document their observations and inferences about the car's motion.

9/30/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today, I shared two brief movie clips about the earth as a system of "spheres" interacting with one another and about convective cloud systems. Students had additional time to work on their textbook reading and questions.

Section 12.2 (due 9/30)
Section 12.3 (due 10/1)
Section 12.4 (due 10/2)

Resources:

9/30/09 Physical Science

2009-09-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we used slope from yesterday's graph to calculate the acceleration of our car on the ramp. We also used slope to show that the overall acceleration of our car was consistent throughout its run. We also reviewed the concept of acceleration as the amount of change in speed (or direction) in a given amount of time.

9/29/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students continued to work on their textbook reading and questions. I presented two mini lessons on the effect of mountains on cloud formation and on the formation of jet streams in the atmosphere.

Section 12.2 (due 9/30)
Section 12.3 (due 10/1)
Section 12.4 (due 10/2)

Links:

9/29/09 Physical Science

2009-09-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 2.3 Acceleration. The students created a Speed vs. Time graph to illustrate acceleration using data from lab 2.2. After the data was graphed, the students determined the y-intercept for the graph and related that value to the speed of the car at the first photogate. We ended class by calculating the percent error from the trend lines on our graph.

9/28/09 Physical Science

2009-09-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We are in the middle of CPO Lab 2.3 Acceleration, and we are about to use graphing to visualize the acceleration of our car on the ramp. I found that most students had data errors in from trials we ran in Lab 2.2, so we spent the class correcting those errors. I instructed students to show exactly how they calculated each speed and to make necessary corrections. Students who finished early were able to start constructing their speed vs. time graphs.

9/28/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we continued to evaluate the effectiveness of the Robot Turning hypothesis by making predictions, testing them, and determining the percent error of the predictions. We are still performing the Investigation, "Measured Turns"

9/28/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students were given a fourth and final real-world scenario to apply their understanding of convection. The four scenarios (Convection Worksheets A and B in their jounals) will be due tomorrow, 9/29. Students were given the rest of class to work on reading and question assignments from their textbooks. Here is a list of the assignments and due dates:

Section 12.1 (due 9/29)
Section 12.2 (due 9/30)
Section 12.3 (due 10/1)
Section 12.4 (due 10/2)

9/25/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued the "Measured Turns" investigation. Students applied the robot turning hypothesis to write a program to get the robot to turn 90 degrees. They ran the program, measured the actual turning angle, and calculated the percent error of their predictions.

9/25/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: I demonstrated convection in the atmosphere by using a bright light over a hot plate. Students could see shadows of the air currents on the wall. Students were then challenged to illustrate and solve real-world problems by applying their knowledge of convection.

9/25/09 Physical Science

2009-09-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today started CPO Investigation 2.3 Acceleration. The students ran two trials with the car and ramp and calculated speeds for all their trials. I also introduced the students to the formula for calculating acceleration.

9/24/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued the "Measured Turns" investigation. Students had their robots trace the outer circumference of their robot's turning circle. We then started to test whether a provided hypothesis is useful in getting our robot to turn a particular angle from its initial direction.

9/24/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students completed a pop quiz applying their knowledge of convection within the hydrosphere. I performed two demonstrations to show that air and gases are also fluids like water, and that convection works in the air (atmosphere) just as it does in liquids.

9/24/09 Physical Science

2009-09-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Today we examined the slope of the distance vs. time data from intervals at the top of the ramp and at the bottom of the ramp. Students learned how to calculate slopes and used these as evidence in their arguments about the motion of the car as it travels down the ramp.

9/23/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We reviewed the "Right Face!" Quiz. The students started the "Measured Turns" investigation. They built an attachment for the taskbot that will be used to trace the turning circumference of our robots.

9/23/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We performed a final convection trial with our planter trays to observe a full convection cycle and its effect on unheated areas. We then discussed a simplified view of convection and inferred what happened in our trays of water.

9/23/09 Physical Science

2009-09-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 2.2. Students graphed their data, and I began a lesson on applying the mathematical concept of slope to our graphs.

9/22/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students finished the "Right Face" project and took the "Right Face" Quiz (due 9/22) The lesson showed students how to program the robot to make both swing turns and point turns.

9/22/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students completed an Open Book Test on Chapter 11, p. 296-297 #1-23 and Standardized Test Practice #1-4 (due 9/23)

9/22/09 Physical Science

2009-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 2.2 Position and Time. The students ran trials using the car and ramp and two photogates. Students also calculated the speed of the car at each photogate.

9/21/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We performed two convection lab trials again, and observed them as a class. We also consolidated our observations on a chart of observations. Convection is a huge unifying concept involved in many Earth system interactions, so it is important for us to see this complex phenomenon at work before progressing to other Earth systems.

9/21/09 Physical Science

2009-09-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We started CPO Lab 2.2 Position and Time. The students spent the class period in experimental design. They listed necessary equipment, identified variables (including constants and independent variables) and their values, and prepared a data collection chart that will be used to record trials.

9/21/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-21T07:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students continued working on the "Right Face" Project. We programmed the robot to make a right turn and we answered questions about the behavior.

9/17/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students conducted three different trials involving convection. They were asked to record both sketched and written observations of their trials. Convection is a huge unifying concept involved in many interactions, so it is important for us to see this complex phenomenon at work before progressing to other Earth systems.

9/18/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students reviewed the "Wheels and Distance" Quiz. We also began a new project called "Right Face!" where we will learn to program the robot to make swing turns.

9/18/09 Physical Science

2009-09-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We finished CPO Lab 2.1 Using a Scientific Model to Predict Speed. The students used the graphs of the trials they conducted yesterday to predict the speed of the car at an unmeasured position on their ramp. I then taught the students how to calculate percent error and percent correct. I challenged them to create an argument about how effective their graphs were at predicting speed.
Tonight's Homework: Finish your argument about the predictive power of your graph. You must use percent error and/or percent correct if you hope to convince me.

9/17/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: The students completed the "Wheels and Distance" Quiz (due 9/17).

9/17/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We began our series of labs on Convection by preparing an area for collecting anecdotal observations, listing equipment needed, and drawing our lab set up. I reviewed safety procedures when using heat and chemicals in the lab. Finally, students conducted test runs with the equipment to ensure that they can successfully conduct real trials tomorrow.

9/17/09 Physical Science

2009-09-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued CPO Lab 2.1 Using a Scientific Model to Predict Speed. The students created line graphs of their trial data, and we spent the latter part of class attempting to analyze the data.

Tonight's Homework: Write an analysis of the speed trends shown on the graph. Try to describe how differently the speed changes as the car goes down the ramp.

9/16/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We concluded the investigation called "Wheels and Distance". Students continued to apply the distance hypothesis to new and unexpected situation, including degrees that do not equal an exact number of motor rotations and conversions between centimeters and inches.
Important Note: There will be a quiz tomorrow.

9/16/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: I showed an online presentation to the class about density and pressure changes in the layers of the atmosphere (link can be found below). The second part of class was a preparation for our first lab experiences on convection, where we learned the components of our lab write ups.
Today's Assignment: Read Chapter 11 section 3 (11.3) and respond to the Section Assessment questions 1-5 on p.291 (due 9/16).
Resource links:
Vertical Profile of Atmospheric Density and Pressure (from Dr. Nolan Atkins at Lyndon State College)
Layers of Earth's Atmosphere (from Windows to the Universe)

9/16/09 Physical Science

2009-09-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We started a new investigation, 2.1 Using a Scientific Model to Predict Speed. Our work included creating a data chart, preparing charts of variables and their values for procedures, and running the trials for the test.

9/15/09 Engineering Class

2009-09-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: We continued the investigation called "Wheels and Distance". Today the students applied the distance hypothesis to new and unexpected situations. We discussed the importance of communication specific information about size dimensions and materials used in engineering situations.

9/15/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: I showed an online presentation to the class about temperature changes in the layers of the atmosphere (link can be found below). We also discussed how air particles increase their energy (kinetic motion) as they absorb the sun's energy. We identified that this is an interaction between the exosphere (Sun) and the atmosphere (air) to produce these temperature changes.
Today's Assignment: Read Chapter 11 section 2 (11.2) and respond to the Section Assessment questions 1-6 on p.284 (due 9/16).
Resource links:
Vertical Profile of Atmospheric Temperatures (from Dr. Nolan Atkins at Lyndon State College)
Layers of Earth's Atmosphere (from Windows to the Universe)

9/15/09 Physical Science

2009-09-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students finished running trials for their speed experiments and then discussed their results.

Today's Homework: Finish the discussion section for the experiment.

9/14/09 Physical Science

2009-09-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: Students ran experiments that they designed last week to test the effect of various independent variables on the speed of a car.

Today's Homework: Calculate the speed for all of your trials from today's experimentation.

9/14/09 Earth Science (High School)

2009-09-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today's Activities: I checked out a textbook or textbook CD to each student during class. Students were asked to read Chapter 11 section 1 (11.1) and respond to the Section Assessment questions 1-5 on p.277 (due 9/15). We are beginning the year looking at interactions that impact the atmosphere because autumn in Florida is such an active weather season.