Students construct rockets from balloons propelled along a guide string. They use …
Students construct rockets from balloons propelled along a guide string. They use this model to learn about Newton's three laws of motion, examining the effect of different forces on the motion of the rocket.
The purpose of this task is to study some patterns in a …
The purpose of this task is to study some patterns in a small addition table. Each pattern identified persists for a larger table and if more time is available for this activity students should be encouraged to explore these patterns in larger tables.
This Back-to-School Challenge encourages students (and teachers) use an Adobe multi-page template …
This Back-to-School Challenge encourages students (and teachers) use an Adobe multi-page template to create back-to-school goals. That template can then be used to create an Adobe Express video in which voiceovers are added. Then the video can be submitted to a contest where a backpack, including an iPad and Apple Pencil, Rode Video Mic, tablet holder and tripod, power bank, ring light … and more, will be given away to several lucky winners.
Part 1: This short YouTube video gives an overview of the challenge.
For a more in depth video of how to use the template, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUYAFEkeScI
The template itself can be accessed at https://express.adobe.com/sp/design/post/urn:aaid:sc:US:2141641d-87a0-4622-b157-a46db3fdee0f
Part 2 of the challenge involves using the information collected in the Adobe Express template to transform your multi-page portfolio into a reflection video to help guide your year. Head over to https://edex.adobe.com/challenges?sdid=D4P81QZ8&mv=social&mv2=ownsoc-org for the outline of the video project.
Be sure to view the Part 2 Video Tutorial and the Printable Lesson Plan.
To enter the contest to win the great prizes, fill out and submit the following form by September 30: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-RraSiOATA9mrJ6pGZtVML4iBb10HLXCVVT8oZuip3w6zDw/viewform
Students experiment with a new materialâaerogel. Aerogel is a synthetic (human-made) porous …
Students experiment with a new materialâaerogel. Aerogel is a synthetic (human-made) porous ultra-light (low-density) material, in which the liquid component of a gel is replaced with a gas. In this activity, student pairs use aerogel to simulate the environmental engineering application of cleaning up oil spills. In a simple and fun way, this activity incorporates density calculations, the material effects of surface area, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties.
By watching and performing several simple experiments, students develop an understanding of …
By watching and performing several simple experiments, students develop an understanding of the properties of air: it has mass, it takes up space, it can move, it exerts pressure, it can do work.
Air pressure is pushing on us all the time although we do …
Air pressure is pushing on us all the time although we do not usually notice it. In this activity, students learn about the units of pressure and get a sense of just how much air pressure is pushing on them.
The problem statement describes a changing algae population as reported by the …
The problem statement describes a changing algae population as reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In part (a), students are expected to build an exponential function modeling algae concentration from the description given of the relationship between concentrations in cells/ml and days of rapid growth (F-LE.2).
Commercial fishing nets often trap "unprofitable" animals in the process of catching …
Commercial fishing nets often trap "unprofitable" animals in the process of catching target species. In this activity, students experience the difficulty that fishermen experience while trying to isolate a target species when a variety of sea animals are found in the area of interest. Then the class discusses the large magnitude of this problem. Students practice data acquisition and analysis skills by collecting data and processing it to deduce trends on target species distribution. They conclude by discussing how bycatch impacts their lives and whether or not it is an important environmental issue that needs attention. As an extension, students use their creativity and innovative skills to design nets or other methods, theoretically and/or through hands-on prototyping, that fisherman could use to help avoid bycatch.
Bycatch, the unintended capture of animals in commercial fishing gear, is a …
Bycatch, the unintended capture of animals in commercial fishing gear, is a hot topic in marine conservation today. The surprisingly high level of bycatch about 25% of the entire global catch is responsible for the decline of hundreds of thousands of dolphins, whales, porpoises, seabirds and sea turtles each year. Through this curricular unit, students analyze the significance of bycatch in the global ecosystem and propose solutions to help reduce bycatch. They become familiar with current attempts to reduce the fishing mortality of these animals. Through the associated activities, the challenges faced today are reinforced and students are stimulated to brainstorm about possible engineering designs or policy changes that could reduce the magnitude of bycatch.
Aerogel, commonly called "frozen smoke," is a super-material with some amazing properties. …
Aerogel, commonly called "frozen smoke," is a super-material with some amazing properties. In this lesson and its associated activity, students learn about this silicon-based solid with a sponge-like structure. Students also learn about density and how aerogel is 99.8% air by volume, making it the lightest solid known to humans! Further, students learn about basic heat transfer and how aerogel is a great thermal insulator, having 39 times more insulation than the best fiberglass insulation. Students also learn about the wide array of aerogel applications.
In this task, the students are not asked to find an answer, …
In this task, the students are not asked to find an answer, but are asked to analyze word problems and explain their thinking. In the process, they are faced with varying ways of thinking about multiplication.
This task provides a construction of the angle bisector of an angle …
This task provides a construction of the angle bisector of an angle by reducing it to the bisection of an angle to finding the midpoint of a line segment. It is worth observing the symmetry -- for both finding midpoints and bisecting angles, the goal is to cut an object into two equal parts. The conclusion of this task is that they are, in a sense, of exactly equivalent difficulty -- bisecting a segment allows us to bisect and angle (part a) and, conversely, bisecting an angle allows us to bisect a segment (part b). In addition to seeing how these two constructions are related, the task also provides an opportunity for students to use two different triangle congruence criteria: SSS and SAS.
Students analyze the relationship between wheel radius, linear velocity and angular velocity …
Students analyze the relationship between wheel radius, linear velocity and angular velocity by using LEGO(TM) MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robots. Given various robots with different wheel sizes and fixed motor speeds, they predict which has the fastest linear velocity. Then student teams collect and graph data to analyze the relationships between wheel size and linear velocity and find the angular velocity of the robot given its motor speed. Students explore other ways to increase linear velocity by changing motor speeds, and discuss and evaluate the optimal wheel size and desired linear velocities on vehicles.
In this task students have to interpret expressions involving two variables in …
In this task students have to interpret expressions involving two variables in the context of a real world situation. All given expressions can be interpreted as quantities that one might study when looking at two animal populations.
In this problem students are comparing a very small quantity with a …
In this problem students are comparing a very small quantity with a very large quantity using the metric system. The metric system is especially convenient when comparing measurements using scientific notations since different units within the system are related by powers of ten.
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