Science day at Richman Elementary

Today we had the opportunity to go to Richman again, but this time instead of Math, we did science with the students who attend the after school program.  Our group did static electricity and had many materials on our table for the students to test out using balloons of various sizes.

Originally we were going to have the students see a PowerPoint on static electricity, but by the next group we had to modify our activity based on the number of students and the loudness of the room.  We decided to not do the power point and just go with the students doing and experimenting while we asked questions.  We also added the idea that when they first come to our table they must stick the balloon on their head.  Silvia and I both put a few balloons on our heads...although it was silly the students really enjoyed seeing us with balloons stuck on our heads and them to.  More students came after seeing balloons stuck on our heads. 

Before the students arrived, on the left. During the activity with students, on the right. 

Crime Lab/Forensic science....

  In our science class we had a special quest speaker, Detective Brocky (former detective) who spoke to us about crime scenes and what to look for in terms of evidence.  The presentation was very informative.  I learned there are three types of fingerprints, not the feature, but how fingerprints can occur.  There are latent, patent, and plastic fingerprints.  Also a person cannot determine the age of a fingerprint unless physically present witnessing.  To find a fingerprint using powder is the oldest and least sophisticate method, but still good.  

An interesting fact I learned from the Crime scene and Contamination power point was how 99.9% of human DNA is the same for everyone; therefore, only 0.10% makes you unique.  WOW! Also I knew we were similar to chimpanzees, but we have 99% of DNA the same as them.  Double WOW!

Later in the day, after the presentation, students from Block 3 presented a Project Learning Tree Lesson.  It was about keeping our planet clean and the types of pollutants we create.  It was a very well done lesson, and I really liked the incorporation of the video, crime scene (wanted) idea.    

After that we went to do small activities in the PAC where we did a fingerprint lab and a hair evidence lab using the proscopes.  It was really cool seeing your hair with the proscope and comparing it to a classmate whose hair is a different color.  

 
<--------My hair
My friends hair-------->

Overall it was a fun, exciting, informative and busy class. :)

Excited about planets....

Today in my fieldwork, my master teacher and I discussed how I could start with science in the upcoming weeks.  The unit/lessons are going to be about the solar system.  The students will learn about the solar system, planets and the other objects/materials in the solar system.  They will write a poem, type it, then pick a planet/star/asteroid/etc and paint with water color.  I am already excited to see the final product.  I also have ideas of what I can bring in to incorporate in the lesson. :)

Race cars and science eveywhere

 Today we were given the problem of creating a race car from materials that were given to us like rubber bands, wood sticks, cardboard.  We then went outside and raced outside. The scientific method can be used to describe the process we (as students) went through while making the race car.  After trial and error, some of us were able to make the race cars successfully go down a small hill while others sadly did not move an inch.  The whole process was great because it was nice to see how even though we were given the same materials we all came up with different ideas.

We also looked at how we can incorporate science and math to almost anything.






We also did a glogster about football and the science.

Today in class (2-11-11)

Today in science class we took a pre-assessment on the scientific method to see if we knew the steps, then after learning about it through an experiment  we took it again and passed with flying colors.  The experiment we did focused on chemical reactions.  We looked at temperature and color change. We mixed water, phenol solution, baking soda and calcium chloride.  We observed, asked questions, and tested out our questions.  


Also at the beginning of class we drew our perception of a scientist.  My classmates had all different views of what a scientist looked liked and there was many stereotypical traits drawn.  

Rainforest Animal

As well as the mini field trip to the arboretum, we also started our project with another block.  We started the Rainforest Mural which integrated science and art.  On a prior day we chose a rainforest animal and started researching that animal and finding a picture we would like to simulate.

I chose the squirrel monkey.  Squirrel Monkeys are some of the most commonly seen monkeys in the Central American rainforest's. About 90% of their diet is composed of soft, tropical fruits.  The Squirrel Monkey has dexterous fingers to climb through the trees and to investigate food and find hidden insects.  They are usually found in the upper/middle canopy, but can they can descend to the ground.

 We drew our animal on the appropriate sized paper.  First, we sketched it then we painted it and added more detail with oil pastels. 

The sketch: 

Finished product:

 

Arboretum trip

Yesterday, the 3rd, our class took a mini field trip to our schools arboretum.  It was so cool! I never new the place was so big.  Before actually going to the arboretum, we talked about what an ecosystem was.  An ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with each other and with the chemical and physical factors making up nonliving environment.  A relationship between organism and the physical environment.  When we went to the arboretum we explored 3 different sites (woodlands, desert, and Mediterranean) and focused on sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, water flow, plans and animals in each environment. 

 Woodlands: I enjoyed walking through this area.  The shade given by the big trees would be great for a hot day.  I really liked the rivers flowing; if you just listened quietly you heard the water flowing, birds and just nature.







            Desert:  It was so cool to see how just over a bridge and a few steps you were completely in a different setting.







Mediterranean: The terrain was sloped with rocks on the ground.

Overall, a fun lesson and time.