Currently we are engaging in the engineering design process to build solar cookers.  Check back later for designs!

Today, we started our unit on heat energy.  Students watched two demonstrations:
1) Wax dots on a metal rod.  One end of the metal rod was placed above a candle and the wax dots eventually melted one by one.
2) Three thermometers - one with white paper, one with foil and one with black paper.  They were placed under a heat lamp and we watched their temperatures increase.  After, the thermometer covered with the black paper was the hottest and the foil was the coldest.  

After, students had to make posters explaining each phenomena.  They will present next class.

Today, students made their car crash videos!  Look for some videos soon!

Homework:

Today, students added to their model using colored sticky notes.  Afterwards, they started planning their car crash videos.  Look for some of the videos soon!

Homework:

In order to prepare for their car crash videos, students read an article : "How do Car Crash Tests Work?"

On 10/9 and 10/10, students presented their models while other students asked questions.

Today, we are starting a two week car crash energy transfer unit.  The goal is to understand and argue how energy is transferred between two objects through the use of car crash models.    Students can pick from one of three models to draw a poster of and answer the following questions:
1) Where is there potential/kinetic energy?
2) Was energy transferred?
3) How do you know if energy was or was not transferred?

Today we completed a measurement lab where we took the temperature of water, measured each other's height, measured volume, and weighed multiple objects.

For Monday/Wednesday (9/29 & 10/1), we reviewed the water cycle through an M&M game.

We also received the Water Cycle Final Assessment which is due on 10/2 for periods 1 & 3, and due on 10/3 for periods 2 & 4.


Water Cycle Final Assessment

Your final assignment for the water cycle is:

1.     Draw, label and color a picture of the water cycle.  Explain how it works.  Include condensation, precipitation, runoff and evaporation.

2.     Explain what parts of the water cycle are affected by the California drought.

3.     Come up with at least 2 ways to reduce your water use.

4.     Come up with at least 2 ways to solve the water shortage problem.

After the first two weeks we are ready to start energy! We did a cutout matching of potential and kinetic energy, as well as watched a Bill Nye on Energy! Here is the video in case you need to finish answering the questions!