Science 3/23/2012

We've been studying cells this week. Started b y learning the organelles using a story and pegging the organelles and their function. (Thanks to Janel Walker for sharing her story on organelles!) We've moved on to mitosis and meiosis. A student shared this YouTube video on mitosis. Thought you might enjoy it also,



Buhler USD313 is on Spring Break from March 26-30. Hope you all have a great time. See you on April 2.

Science 3/16/2012

This week we started our Life Science studies. To help us understand the characteristics of living things, we did a demo lab using yeast. We discovered that not all things that look dead are and that not all things that look alike are the same. Using a live sample and two unknown samples, we watched as carbon dioxide was created or not. Here are a few pictures.

Science 3/12/2012

THIS JUST IN!!!!

I just received the information for the Kansas State University's EXCITE (EXploring sCIence Technology and Engineering) Summer Workshop.  I have had students go in the past and have a fun (and educational) experience. Click on the link below and it will take you to their site for more information. I'll post a couple of pictures from when I went several years ago. I'll have copies of the flyer and registration brochure for those girls who are interested. Here's hoping this will help boost the STEM student enrollment.


http://www.k-state.edu/excite/upcoming_events.htm

Students used some of the equipment and tools.

One group built "working" houses with lights and a furnace.

We visited an architect group in KC.

Students created their own floor plans on their CAD system.

Taking home their floor plans.

Making marble launchers.

Girls shared a dorm room and ate in the cafeteria.

Science 3/9/2012

Hard to believe that the 3rd nine weeks is over today. It is time for the students to begin making "count down" calendars for the last day of school and for me to begin instruction on Life Sciences. We finished Physics this week, with a test on waves and the Common Assessment for Physics. Students will begin taking State Assessments next week. As a result we will be using a block schedule which gives us an extra 15 minutes per period but results in us only seeing our students 4 days during the week. I'm hoping the warmer weather will allow us to go outside for a couple of lessons - we'll see.  Here is a picture from several years ago when we replanted the area around the PHMS sign. It is time for the students to revisit it.

Science 2/21/2012

              


On the last posting I promised video of the launch. Here is a short sample video of the launch. To see a longer version, click on the link below and it will take you to an Animoto with pictures and video of the rockets and launch. Enjoy!

Animoto with rocket pictures and launch video!

Science 2/10/2012

We've been studying Newton's Laws of Motion. Students are making water bottle rockets as a final project. We plan on  launching next Friday (the 17th,  as the weather is predicted to be fair that day.) I'll post more pictures after the launch.

Supplies

Creating a fin pattern

Bottle, bottle, which bottle should I use?

Laying out a nosecone.

Ensuring a tight fit for proper pressurization.

Hot glue assembly.

Can you believe this is going to be a parachute?

Student garantees it will be "the best!"

Jan. 31, 2012

Finally feel like I am back into the swing of things. 

Have been reviewing Newton's Laws. Test on Friday, Feb. 3. We will begin to build Water Bottle Rockets on Monday, Feb. 6, for hands on demonstrations of those laws. Several of the websites that we will use are listed on my Portaportal under Physics - Rockets. - http://guest.portaportal.com/mrs.poulseen

The students are also reading a science fiction book of their choice. They will complete a book report "booklet" which is due on March 2 (but can be handed in ahead of time if they choose to.) Here's a link on how to fold the booklets - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAb31rIeGZo