Turning Arrow Experiment

One of the science stations we are doing is the turning arrow experiment.  This is a perfect hands on example of refraction.  Take a look at this website to get more information and visuals.

Reverse Arrow Article

Do you observe refraction? Post below, I'd love to hear about it!

Live Space Walk 2/25/15

On 2/25/15 we watched a live spacewalk on NASA's website. We observed the communication and the astronauts in space making repairs on a robotic arm on the International Space Station (ISS). We observed Earth and the sun from a very unique and amazing view.  We also used twitter and tweeted an astronaut named Douglas Wheelock (@Astro_Wheels). We asked him what time zone they use while in space and he responded to us within 30 minutes! The students were very excited to get a live tweet from space, thank you Douglas Wheelock! You can view other questions asked by adults and students on twitter using #askNASA.

Today I will show a clip from apollo 13 demonstrating problem and solution and how that relates to engineering. I encourage my students to be engineers whenever possible and to find times in their lives when they themselves are engineers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egWvQuT5TCU

I also will show them the original Apollo 13 math that saved the day and sold for $388,375 in 2011.

http://gizmodo.com/5863778/the-math-that-saved-apollo-13

Light!

We will be doing science stations for the next few days.  We will be exploring light and what happens when it is reflected, refracted, etc. Here is a copy of the worksheets we will use at each station and a description of what we will be doing. We will also have a station reviewing sound and amplification.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5-R28AdFXfoNk9yYXRrZHNSX2FBV2phTUF2R09aUQ/edit?pli=1

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife: Camp Wallace

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife department has a summer camp called Camp Wallace beginning June 15th. Sign ups are first come first serve, please fill out the form if you and your child are interested in going.  The cost for five days is $235.00.  If you register online you get a discount and it is $225.00. If you have any questions, you can contact John Coffey at: john.coffey@ky.gov and (859) 358-5175. 

http://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Camp-Earl-Wallace.aspx

If We Only Saw Red...

This is a cool article and picture from NASA. For 2 extra points and a smartie board entry, let's link this article to the electromagnetic spectrum; why would Saturn's rings look like that if our eyes can only see the color red? Also, write at least one word you do not know with the definition.


http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18301


Here is a picture of what Saturn's rings look like. This image was taken in March 2003 by NASA when Saturn's rings were at maximum tilt towards earth. This happens every 15 years! BONUS: What year will NASA be able to view Saturn's rings at maximum tilt towards earth?

Valentine's Day

Today is our Valentine's Day party, the results of our recycling contest, and doing fun experiments involving candy. I am taking our experiments from the link below. I encourage my students to try science experiments at home with parental consent.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/closet/experiments/experiments_candy.html?tracking=81696_C#

I Love Mountain Day

Today we did an activity educating 4th grade students about mountain top removal. This lesson was created by our 4th grade math teacher, Mrs. Mattingly.  We discussed renewable and non renewable energy sources, sustainability, problem and solutions, and used an instruction method that incorporated kinesthetic, visual, and audiological learning styles.

We also included diversity in our learning. Our students in our FMD classroom made the muffins themselves for our science lesson. We are so lucky to have such great students who share their talents.  

Our experiment was posted on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berea-Community-Elementary-School/134059346654169

Moving on to Light

We took our test on sound and waves Tuesday 2/13/15. We are not transitioning into light. We will revisit waves after our next topic: thermal energy.

Here is a video from one of my favorite scientists Bill Nye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtgBHsSzCPE

We will be watching this video in class and having a discussion about it.


Challenge Question: If a room is completely dark with no light coming through, will our eyes eventually adjust to the darkness?