Wednesday September 3rd, 2014

Today's Quote:

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt

Today's Lateral Thinking question:

This is a most unusual paragraph. How quickly can you find out what is so unusual about it.It looks so ordinary you'd think nothing was wrong with it- and in fact, nothing is wrong with it. It is unusual though. Why? Study it, think about it,and you may find out. Try to do it without coaching. If you work at it for a bit it will dawn on you. So jump to it and try your skill at figuring it out. Good luck- don't blow your cool!

Today's Class:

Students will build their first iteration of their book stand design using fewer resources. We will review the words, hypothesis, data, criteria, constraints, independent variable, dependent variable.

You will get a chance to design your first iteration based off your prototype and we will go over how to correctly set up your lab notebooks. Design Challenge 1.

Today's homework:

Your vocabulary list with definitions: Scientific Design vocabulary You will be quizzed on these words!

Today's discussion question:

Many of you answered that the reasons we move ahead with a new design is to make improvements, find a better way to do something, or to make our life easier. A coupe of people mentioned that we should try to conserve the materials we used. Briefly be able to discuss why we need to conserve materials when doing anything. Ultimately this boils down to one big idea? What do you think that idea is?

Our original challenge:

Imagine this scene. You need to copy sections from your textbook into a computer document for a presentation. The job has to be done immediately. You have a computer and the textbook on the low desk. When you sit down and open the book a problem arises. You forgot your glasses, and you can't read the book. In the desk drawer you find some index cards, rubber bands, and paper clips. How can you quickly make a book support that will raise the book closer to your eyes? You will first discuss the problem with your group.

Then you will try out some solutions using the materials you found in the desk.

Your goal is to support the book at least 7.5 centimeters above the desk.

You MUST be able to read the book and turn the pages while the book stays open on the support.

Your group will have 10 minutes to complete this challenge.

Remember to record your Criteria and Constraints.

Develop an operational hypothesis as an If/Then Statement. Remember that it must be testable. Also record your NULL hypothesis.

Keep ACCURATE records

Watch this video over and over. Lab Safety

PM Update:

Today was an awesome day in class as students completed their book stand challenge. The winning team who met all of the criteria; book supported 7.5cm from the desk, ability to turn pages, used the fewest amount of materials, and not sacrifice quality, and had their work site clean within the time given came from 4th period. They only used 4 note-cards ($40), 4 rubber bands, and managed to support 14 textbooks! Throughout the project we reviewed for the upcoming test. I pointed out that our over arching BIG IDEA was that we conserve resources, not only to save money, but also because the Earth is a CLOSED system. In other words, everything that is here now has been here from the beginning and is not magically replaced, We have a finite amount of usable materials.