Class Documents

Science Fair Packet

2010-09-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

You can access the Science Fair Packet here.

Arbor Day Poster Rubric

2010-01-19T11:07:00.000-08:00

Access Arbor Day poster here.

Agenda 11.6.09

2009-11-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

Mineral Notes!

Hand in rock cycle labs
mineral notes
Assign mineral project Due Jan 18th
Homework: Science fair project Final Due Nov 9th (Next Monday) Guidelines can be found at the following address: Science Fair Guidelines

Multiple Intelligences

2009-08-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the Multiple Intelligences Lab: http://docs.google.com/View?id=d672qh9_42d8hxk9dp

Gametime Project

2008-12-03T11:23:00.001-08:00

You can access the Gametime guidelines here.

Edible Atom Project

2008-10-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Access to guidelines for Edible Atom Project

What are My Skills? (Unit 1)

2008-10-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

Skills for Unit 1 review sheet is available. Click here to access.

Class Table of Contents (updated)

2008-09-25T18:14:00.001-07:00

Click here for table of contents (physical Science)

EP Reminder Notice

2008-09-24T09:01:00.001-07:00

Click here to access the Ep Reminder letter!

Scientific Method Notes

2008-09-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

Scientific Method Notes given on 9/17 are now posted:

Click here to print/view the notes.

Puzzle Labs

2008-09-17T05:03:00.000-07:00

Puzzle Labs have been Posted...

Click Here for puzzle lab day 1
Click Here for Puzzle lab day 2

Lab Safety Guidelines

2008-09-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Click Here to print/view the Lab Safety Guidelines

PDF Sharing

2008-09-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Science Students and Families -

Some disappointing news - I have managed to share all of the worksheets that I myself created on the computer in word, however, the documents that I have received through other means will not be posted. I can scan the documents in PDF form, but PDF sharing though google documents has not yet been implemented.

If they enable this in the near future, it is my hope to have all of my documents eventually available online, but for now only my word documents will be possible for download.

I will update you if that changes!

Cheers!
Ms. B

Science Fair Packet

2008-09-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Science Fair Information can be accesses at the following link:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_19f9xh3sc5

Guidelines for the Interactive Notebook

2008-08-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

Papers given out 8/28/08 are the following:

Guidelines for the Interactive Notebook:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_147q8v3hm5

Lab Table of Contents:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_16dhfc8qcr

Here is an optional document that I offer for students interested in keeping track of their grades-
Grade Tracking Sheet:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_15c5dg3xg3

Brain Lab / Syllabi

2008-08-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

To view/print the brain lab worksheet, go to the following link:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_8f5st69gq

To view/print the Syllabus:

Gifted Earth Science:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_9gdtzmrdm

Earth Science:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_11ctb7v4fp

Advanced Physical Science:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d672qh9_13cc63t5rd

Gametime Guidelines

2008-02-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

Due Date - March 10th

FIELD PROJECT # 4: GAMETIME

The Problem: You are a geologist who has been hired by an educational company because of your unique combination of know-how, creativity, and communication skills. Your job is to create a game that will teach our youth on the subject of Plate Tectonics or Land Forms.

Your Assignment: Design a game that displays and tests the concepts covered in this chapter. You may choose one topic in depth, or survey several topics within the larger idea (Plate Tectonics or Landforms). Your game must include the following:

You must choose a type of game: Card Game, Board Game, or a Kinetic Game (like twister). Every type of game must have a product that you make; either cards, or the board and pieces, a mat, or some other construction to facilitate your game.
You must include an Instruction booklet. The booklet should be like other game booklets and have a cover page with the name of your game and a logo. This booklet must explain the following items:
1. The set-up
2. The Rules of play
3. Exceptions to rules (if any) / answering “what if” questions
4. Criteria for winning
You must package the game in a box of some sort. The box must advertise the game and have the following criteria:
1. A title and logo with box art
2. A blurb description of the game to give the buyer and idea of what the game entails.
3. Specify how many players are needed and the age range of your game (probably 10 yrs. and up)
You are also required to hand in a report to the company that has the following information:
1. Title Page with your name and game name
2. Research of your topic. This information must be covered within your game. Should be one page of background information with a bibliography.
3. Field Journal and log of every day that you have worked on the project and tests (Make your family play your game at least twice until you work out all the hitches) of your product including:
  1. For each day: Date, hours worked, log of ideas, work done, changes made, at least 2 tests that were completed, etc.
  2. Pictures of construction/testing process

START EARLY!!!!!

“Gametime” Rubric

The game:

All pieces needed to play are present / is complete
Information used in the game is CORRECT
Game includes information and vocabulary covered in the chapter
Game shows a knowledge of the chosen subject area
Game tests knowledge appropriately (asks good questions, or requires knowledge of the subject to complete tasks, or teaches knowledge intrinsically within the game
Game shows creativity in construction and design

0 1 2 3

The instruction booklet:

Has an attractive cover with logo and title of game
Has a brief overview and set up of the game
Explains the rules of play clearly in steps
Explains any exceptions or special rules as per encountered during testing
Includes criteria for winning
Rules are logical and reasonable

0 1 2 3

The Packaging:

Box includes all required information (title, logo, age range, # of players
Box is attractively designed
Brief paragraph describing the game is clear and fun, advertises for the game
Box is sturdy/durable

0 1 2 3

The Report:

Report has a cover page with your name, title of game, and logo
Research paper is of proper length (at least one page)
Research paper contains relevant information
Research paper contains accurate information
Research has a bibliography with at least 2 sources
Field journal is in the correct format (see above)
Field journal includes design ideas, problems encountered, test logs with description and results, changes made, description of the construction process, etc.
Field journal includes logs of AT LEAST 2 tests of game
Field journal includes pictures of the construction process and the testing process

0 1 2 3

0 1 2 3
0 1 2 3

0 1 2 3

National Parks Project

2008-02-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

Name ___________________________________ Date__________

GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NATIONAL PARKS PROJECT

For this project you will be researching a National Park of your choice. The Park MUST have geological significance of some kind. You will have two options for your presentation format.

Format 1: A PowerPoint presentation

Format 2: A Storybook with illustrations

Neither format will be “easier”, they are simply different. For each one you will be required to present the same amount of information.

Research

We will be using www.nps.gov (national Park Service website) to gather data.
Once you arrived at your park website, you should search in the navigation bar under nature & science, then click on Natural Features.
For more information, go to the link “for kids” and following interesting links from there.

For this project you will be required to find the following information:

Geological History: Why is it geologically significant? What kinds of landforms are there? What did it look like millions of years ago? In this section you need to give a well-rounded idea of why it is an important national park for geologists to study. Be specific! This should be the majority of your research.

Location: Include a map of its location.

Activities: What kinds of activities are available at this park? Camping, Hiking, Etc.

Other Features: What are some other attractions at these parks? (Wildlife, Cultural Resources, Etc)

FORMAT

Depending on the format you choose, you will need to come at this information from a certain angle.

PowerPoint People: You are a business person working at the office of a geological firm who is attempting to convince your boss to send your crew to this national park as a vacation get-away. You want to focus on the interesting geological features, as that is the best way to get your superiors to hop on board with your plan. When you give your presentation, you will be expected to dress for the part!

Storybook People: You are a very creative 4^th grade teacher. You recently went on an amazing trip to a National Park, and you realize that you can tell your story and incorporate this into your earth science lessons. Since you are such a creative person, your book is picked up by a local publisher. The book should tell the national park’s story and how you “experienced” it when you were there. Again, you will dress the part when reading your story to your “4^th grade class”.

2007-11-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

SAMPLE SUBMISSION - ok, the formatting is a little wackadoo - but you get the general idea of what you need to do. Not so many spaces and such are neeeded.

MINERAL NAME

Picture of your Mineral goes here

Caption: Ex. Mineral name, city, country where this sample was found

Location: This section lists geographic locations where your mineral can be found.

Mineral name: (ex. Fluorite)
Chemical Group: (ex. Silicates, Halides, Sulfides – this section should be dependent on the elements in your mineral)
Chemical Elements: (ex. Calcium Fluoride)
Chemical formula: (ex. CaFl₂)

Color:
Streak:
Hardness:
Crystal Structure:
Specific Gravity:
Other Attributes: (interesting information)

Field Marks: (obvious attributes that so other scientists can read it in the field)
Similar Species: Other minerals that look similar and how your mineral differs from them.
Environment: (how and where it grows) – remember the 2 main ways minerals form!

Head shot picture of you as a future scientist – Be creative!

Story of discovery goes here – make it something exciting so that it could be realistic in that it is really how a mineral might be discovered. This would not occur in an everyday place – can’t be an urban area unless you are digging far under the city. Must be half a page and in 12pt. font or smaller (the top part should be half a page as well) - best to use the paper I passed out to you. – but must be readable (no less than 10pt font). It should take up the whole space, and should have your signature at the end. If you are having trouble formatting the pictures so that they fit on the page, I suggest cutting and pasting. Try to get as close to the suggested format as possible, as it will make the magazine look more professional and consistent. Remember to have fun and be creative with this activity! You can format your text box for wrap around text by right clicking on the box and picking “format text box” from the menu. Then click on layout, and pick the picture with the dog that has text all around it. I can’t think of anything else to tell you, so if you have any questions, make sure you either e-mail me, or leave a comment on the blog website!

- Ms. B

Field Project #3

2007-11-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

Name ____________________________

Due 11/27/07

Field Project #3

Submissions to:

Modern Mineral Discoveries

Magazine

Your assignment: Much like on the quiz, you are a famous mineralogist. You have traveled the world in search of new rocks and minerals. In your time, you have made many discoveries and won yourself a reputation for deep scholarly knowledge. The well-known scientific magazine Modern Mineral Discoveries has asked for you to publish your findings on your latest mineral discovery.

For this project, you will be responsible for 3 things.

You will be asked to build the mineral you have “discovered”. When constructing it, you must consider: what is its crystal system? Does it have luster? What is its color? How can you make it look like you’ve mined it from a rock? It should be made from household materials, but should look as realistic as you can make it.
You will be asked to create a field guide entry on your journal. There is a sample on the back of this sheet. This is your submission for the magazine. The field guide entry should include:
1. Photograph of the mineral with a caption.
2. Its name and chemical composition, all of its measurable properties, its chemical group, and any other interesting facts about the mineral.
3. In addition, the entry should have a half a page story on how you discovered it and where, as well as a small headshot that shows you as the scientist that you are.
You will be asked to write a small field journal that documents how you constructed your mineral, your thoughts and ideas, and pictures of you during the process. Should be 1 page including pictures.

Remember to be creative and START EARLY. You should hand in a total of 2 pages plus the mineral sample itself.