Middle School Science

Homework: 1st hour – PhD projects (for those who have not yet presented/turned in papers).
2nd – 4th: no homework (students build cantilever and arch bridges in class today)

Today in science …

1st hour continued PhD presentations.

2nd – 4th hour worked in small groups to build cantilever bridges out of wooden blocks in the pod, and arch bridges out of styrofoam blocks in the classroom.  Photos coming soon!

Homework:  Bridge Reading Worksheet (if not finished in class).

Today in Science ….

1st hour continued PhD presenations.

2nd – 4th hour read about Truss bridges, Cantilever bridges and Arch bridges and then completed a worksheet on the material.  Most students completed the worksheet in class.  If you were absent please come in and check out the packet and textbook we read from.  Tomorrow students will attempt to build  the cantilever and arch bridges they designed on their worksheet.

Homework: 1st hour – phd projects (if you haven’t presented yet), 2nd – 4th hour – complete Bridges Worksheet if note completed in class.

Today in Science…

1st Hour: – continued PhD presenations

2nd – 4th Hour: were in the computer lab and visited this PBS website to learn about bridges:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/build.html

Afterward students could try to design a bridge that will withstand an earthquake at this website:

http://eduweb.com/portfolio/bridgetoclassroom/engineeringfor.html

Finally, early finishers were encouraged to check out the great links on Mr. Hansen’s website:

• http://www.asdk12.org/links.asp?num=101403&ClassID=9242
• http://www.asdk12.org/links.asp?num=101403&ClassID=9422z
• http://www.asdk12.org/links.asp?num=101403&ClassID=10824

Next week 1st hour students will be presenting their Person Having Details research.  Presentations should be between 4-6 minutes long. A BRIEF PowerPoint or Keynote sideshow is a great way to help keep yourself on track during the presentation.  Another option is to prepare BRIEF talking points on note cards.

Below is the slide show I created for my presentation on African Clawed Frogs.  Notice it has only a few bullets per slide to help remind me what I want to talk about (not loads of writing to be read off the screen).  You should be an expert on your topic by now – but it easy to forget everything you know when you get up in front of a lot of people.  Slide shows and note cards can be very helpful.  View mine below – you are welcome to edit it and use it for your purposes.

* This was originally created in Keynote (Mac) and converted to PowerPoint

African Clawed Frog PowerPoint

* note: Mrs. R stayed home sick today, the following was what was planned for the substitute

Homework: none for 2nd-4th hour,  1st hour: PhD projects due next week

Today in Science 1st hour was given time to work on their truss bridges.  2nd – 4th hour watched the video  “Modern Marvels: Bridges” put out by the History Channel.

Homework: none – in class bridge building, 1st hour should continue work on PhD project

Today in Science 1st hour got the opportunity to go outside and view the moon through telescopes.  What a clear and beautiful morning!  We were even able to spot the planet Mars!   2nd hour continued working on their bridges and will have an extra day to work (went to an assembly yesterday).  3nd – 4th hours finished building and will complete testing and modifying tomorrow.

Homework: none, worked on bridges today (1st hour should continue work on PhD project)

Today in science students worked on their truss bridges and began testing them with live load.

Check out some of the pictures from this challenge:

Homework:  get newsletter signed.   1st hour – PhD projects (due next week!)

Today in science students worked on their truss bridges  …. photos coming soon!

Homework: none (1st hour should work on their PhD project as needed – I know I’ll be working on mine!)

Today in science students began building thier truss bridges.  Teams seem VERY excited about this building challenge.  Many are making good use of the blueprint drawings they made in Mrs. Shea’s math class.  Several teams just couldn’t stop building and came in at lunch to continue the process.  I was very impressed with all the great teamwork today!

Homework – decorate the cover of your science notebook

Today in Science we discussed the forces involved in a truss bridge – our tinker toys came in handy for this demonstration.