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Sunday, May 20, 2012
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  • Three colors of density

    Posted by Kevin Smith at 11/8/2011
    This week, the 8th grade did a lab with density. Three cups of water with 100 ml of water are used. Each cup has a different density because different amounts of salt are added. The key to the lab is for the student to decant each solution so they don't mix together. The video below shows how two different groups completed the lab.
     
     
     
     
     
    Comments (6)

  • Potential and kinetic energy

    Posted by Kevin Smith at 11/8/2011
    After learning about potential and kinetic energy last week, the classes built a roll back can that demonstrates both potential and kinetic energy. Nac, can spelled backward, is a can that stores energy in a rubber band. When rolling the can, the rubber band winds up. A metal screw inside the can weighs the rubber band down and make it wind up. After the can comes to a stop, it rolls back releasing the energy stored in the rubber band. In this video, two students demonstrate Nac, the roll back can.
     
     
     
     
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  • Rocket Project

    Posted by Mr. Smith at 11/2/2011
    Last week, the 8th grade classes designed, built and launched a water rocket. The students were to keep track of the costs of the rocket and report the final cost. Another objective was to secure the egg and keep it from being smashed. The egg represented the astronaut and great care was given to keeping it safe and secure during the rocket flight. We used one liter of water and 60 psi of air pressure to provide  thrust for the rocket.
     
    Each team was responsible for the rocket design and egg. The only design restriction was to make sure the rocket fit on the rocket launcher and the bottle and the rubber coupling was tight and secure.
     
    Comments (10)

  • The Great Bag Of Science

    Posted by Kevin Smith at 11/2/2011
    The Great Bag of Science demonstration was a hit with the 8th grade class this week. The students were given the chance to experience 14.7 psi of air pressure. It's a snug fit and many of the students think they can stand up when under the pressure. This gives them some idea of what type of thrust the bottle rocket has with sixty pounds of pressure.
     
     
     
     
     
    Comments (2)

  • The four color lab

    Posted by Mr. Smith at 9/24/2011 11:00:00 AM

    Measuring skills

     This week we did the four color lab in class. I do this lab to develop the observational skills of each student and also to follow lab procedures. They learn to measure using a beaker and graduated cylinder. It is also the first time this year that they wear the safety glasses.
     
    I begin the lab by explaining why we need to wear safety glasses in class. We do this to protect our eyes and to get into a good habit of wearing them every time we do lab.
     
    Working in groups of two, the students measure out 21 ml of half and half into the graduated cylinder and pour it into the petri dish. They then add four different food colors, one drop one at a time.  Then, they put the match into the blue liquid detergent and then into the middle of the colors. They observe carefully how and where the colors are mixing and moving. I question them to explain what they saw in detail and to form a hypothesis based on what they saw.
     
    I closed the class with a orderly procedure to return all the lab ware and to wipe the desks. I do this row by row so there is no jam up at the sinks.
     

     Here is a flash video of the lab.

     
     
     
     
    Here is a Quicktime movie
     
     
     
    Comments (21)

  • Regift

    Posted by Mr. Smith at 1/4/2011 1:00:00 PM
    Here is a fun website that uses number theory in the spirit of the holidays.
     
     
     
    Comments (7)

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