Monday & Tuesday: Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy

This week students are focusing on heat, temperature and thermal energy. Students have two class periods to complete a variety of labs and readings investigating heat and temperature.

Warm-Up: The Mitten Problem

Video – Thermal Energy vs Temperature

Here is the agenda for students for the two class days:

1. Complete Labs 1, 2 & 3 in class, complete notes sheet and upload to Google Classroom
2. Complete the Forms of Energy Practice Quiz in Google Classroom
3. Complete the Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy Reading Notes using CK12 and the science textbook – complete directions posted in Google Classroom

Students interested in trying the exceeds should build their own thermometer.  The final thermometer should accurately read 3 different temperatures.  Soda bottles, straws and modelling clay are available in class.  Here are some links for how to do it:

• Home Science – How to Make a Thermometer
• Steve Spangler – Build a Water Thermometer

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Thermal Energy Lab Notes due Wednesday (complete in class, submit in Google Classroom)
• Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy Reading and Notes due Fri (complete in class, submit in Google Classroom)
• Energy Quiz at the end of the week
• Turn in any missing work

Wed-Fri: MEAs and Nuclear Energy

Earlier this week while studying forms of energy, students learned that nuclear energy is energy that is stored in the nuclei of atoms because of the strong forces that hold the nucleus together. The energy can be released in nuclear power plants by splitting nuclei apart. It is also released when unstable (radioactive) nuclei break down, or decay.

But what does that mean?

Here’s a simpler way to say it: Nuclear energy is the energy stored within atoms. It takes a huge amount of force to hold the pieces of the nucleus (center) of the atom together. If you can split the nucleus apart so much energy is released that you can power a bomb or power a city.

Students will be learning more about nuclear energy on their own using these links:

•  The Eyes of Nye “Nuclear Energy” Please note that many scientists disagree with Bill Nye’s stance on nuclear energy. Many people believe it would solve our climate crises.
• TED Talk: How bad is it really? Nuclear technology — facts and feelings (a counterargument to Bill Nye’s position)

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Forms of Energy Notes due Wednesday
• Energy Within a System Diagrams (in Google Classroom) by the end of the week
• Eyes of Nye Nuclear Energy notes due by the end of the week

On Thursday and Friday this week, students have their 8th grade Science MEAs.

And for those of you interested, check out this awesome DIY Duct Tape Projects

Tuesday: Energy Changes within a System

Today students will be looking at how energy changes from one form to another as it moves through a system.  Students will be using real-life and digital models to show these changes.  If you missed class, please see Ms Lea as well look through the presentation from class:

• Presentation: Energy Changes within a System

See Google Classroom for today’s assignment.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Energy Forms Notes (from Monday) due Wednesday
• Energy Changes within a System (Google Classroom) due Friday

Announcement: On June 7 we will visit Sail Maine for some science lessons, as well as a sailing lesson! They have asked us to design a T-shirt to use with the PPS schools this year. If you are interested please submit your drawing to me. Please only use one color (pencil OR black OR blue marker or pen is fine) Theme: Sailing, Portland Schools and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) ALL submissions due by May 1st.

Monday: Forms of Energy

This week students are learning about the different forms of energy and how energy moves through a system. Here are some resources from class:

Kinetic Energy – the energy of motion

Potential Energy – stored energy based on position

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that  energy is neither created nor destroyed, it only changes form.

Links – use these to complete the notes sheet from class:

• Watch: Brainpop – forms of energy
• CK12- Forms of Energy
• Forms of Energy Visual or Types of Energy Reading
• Forms of Energy Practice Quiz (digital)

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Forms of Energy Notes Sheet due Wednesday
• Science MEAs Thursday and Friday

Wednesday: Cell Review

For our final day of 6th and 7th grade review, students will be thinking back to what they know about cells, ecosystems and food webs.

Here are links from class:

• Brainpop Cells
• Cell Parts Rap
• Kahoot-Cells
• Kahoot- Food Webs

Students with extra time should try out the other review resources here:

• MEA Review Links

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Complete all of this week’s review activities before leaving for April break

Tuesday: Motions in Space

Today students are reviewing the motions of the Earth and Moon in space.  Students will explore why the Earth has seasons, what causes the phases of the Moon and how the Earth, Sun and Moon need to align for solar and lunar eclipses.

Students will need these links to review:

• Khan Academy Moon Phases Video
• Gizmo: Phases of the Moon
• Gizmo: Eclipse
• Kahoot – Space, Moon, Seasons
• MEA Practice Test 1

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Complete daily MEA Review Activities by end of the week

Monday: Geosphere Review

This week students are reviewing Earth and Life Science topics studied in 6th and 7th grade.  The focus of today is the Geosphere including the rock cycle, Pangaea and Plate Tectonics.  Students can work at their own pace following the steps on the Geosphere Review Checklist.

Use these links along with the checklist to review the Geosphere:

• Rock Cycle Video (we watched this in class)
• Rock Cycle Diagram
• Rock Cycle Self-Quiz
• Earth’s Structure Presentation
• Brainpop Tectonic Plates
• TED Ed – Pangaea Pop-Up
• Gizmo – Building Pangaea
• Kahoot – Geologic Change Unit Review
• Kahoot -Rock and Soil Study Review
• MEA Review Test #4

ASSIGNMENT:

• Geosphere Review Notes and Gizmo Questions due Wednesday
• All missing work and revisions due before you leave for April break
• Science MEAs will be April 26 and April 27

Friday: Quiz – Gravity and Newton’s Laws

Students have their final Force and Motion quiz today which will focus on gravity and Newton’s Laws.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Make sure all work is turned in and complete

Wednesday/Thursday – The International Space Station

Last class, students learned about how orbits work.  Today they will learn about the International Space Station and the ways the astronauts living there experience and investigate the effects of gravity while in a constant free fall around Earth.  Here are is the presentation from class:

• Ms Lea’s International Space Station Presentation

Students should choose two of the articles below to read. In your notebook, write the name of the article, a one sentence summary of the article and 3 key details from each article (as bullet points):

• Testing on twin astronauts gives insight into health toll of life in space
• A day in space
• Five things that happen to your body in space
• Eat your veggies: NASA expands plant-growing program on space station
• Growing food that’s out of this world, literally

Once students finish, they should watch these videos:

• Life in Space Myths
• 10 Coolest Experiments At the International Space Station
• International Space Station toilet tour
• Sleeping in Space – YouTube
• Running In Space
• “What is the Universe Expanding into?” Explanation

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Quiz on Gravity and Newton’s Laws at the end of the week

Tuesday – How Orbits Work

Today’s gravity lesson focuses on orbits and how they work.  See the complete notes from class here:

• Presentation: How Orbits Work
• Newsela Article: What is an orbit?

Students who finish early should check out these links:

• Free falling in outer space – Matt J. Carlson
• How to think about gravity – Jon Bergmann
• How far would you have to go to escape gravity? – Rene Laufer
• Gravity and the human body – Jay Buckey
• The fundamentals of space-time: Part 1 – Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie
• The fundamentals of space-time: Part 2 – Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie
• The fundamentals of space-time: Part 3 – Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie
• Is time travel possible? – Colin Stuart
• Does time exist? – Andrew Zimmerman Jones

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Gravity and Motion Reading and Notes and Gravity Pitch Gizmo due Wednesday
• CORE A: Gravity Webquest (from last week) due Today
• Quiz on Gravity and Newton’s Laws at the end of the week