No Assignment!

REMINDER: I will not be on campus tomorrow (Friday, 12.16).  Please be on time, as Mr. Campbell and Ms. Smith will be ready to get the fossil project running immediately.  Have fun!!!

HAPPY WINTER!!!

See you next year!!!

Assignment #5 (due 12.15)

Please complete the Rock ID Lab data table and analysis questions for 12.15.  Your data table should be neat (hand-written is okay) and include as much information as possible.  If you were unable to determine your rock type, be sure to include the names of the rocks to which you narrowed your options down. Also, your analysis questions should be typed.

NOTE: If you would like to watch the rest of the fossil documentary from class today, you can check it out HERE!

Assignment #5 (due 12.15)

Begin working on the Analysis Questions from the Rock ID Lab we started today.  IT IS COMPLETELY OKAY IF YOU HAVE NOT YET IDENTIFIED YOUR SAMPLE! Please note that you will have time in class tomorrow to finish the lab with your group.  Your data table and analysis questions (typed!) are due on Thursday, 12.15.

Assignment #4 (due 12.9)

Please complete the Rock Cycle WebQuest you began in class today.  The webpage link is embedded in the document, but can also be accessed here:

http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html

No Assignment!

Last call for rocks for class tomorrow!

Assignment #3 (due 12.7)

Please complete your History of Life on Earth drawing for tomorrow.  Be sure to include as much detail and color as possible, as well as the information requested in the instructions.  Good luck!

No Assignment...

But...you must have your rock by Tuesday if you forgot it today!

Assignment #2 (due 12.2)

Please complete the Geologic History Packet for 12.2.  NOTE: Question #4 is strangely worded--please do not worry about answering it.  We'll discuss in class tomorrow!

Also, please remember that you must bring a rock to class by tomorrow. It can be one from your yard, rock collection, summer adventures, travels, home decor...etc., and should be at least 1" in width.

Assignment #1 (due 12.1)

Complete the Personal Timeline Assignment--final projects are due at the beginning of class tomorrow (12.1).

Also, please remember that you must bring a rock to class by the end of this week. It can be one from your yard, rock collection, summer adventures, travels, home decor...etc., and should be at least 1" in width.

Assignment #1 (due 12.1)

Continue researching your dates and events for the Personal Timeline Assignment.  Please note that you will have the first half of class tomorrow to work on your timeline.  Final projects are due at the beginning of class on 12.1.

Also, please remember that you must bring a rock to class by the end of this week.  It can be one from your yard, rock collection, summer adventures, travels, home decor...etc., and should be at least 1" in width.

No assignment for Thanksgiving Break!!

Get some rest, celebrate a job well done on this week's quiz, and eat tons of pie next week!!

Happy Friday, y'all! Be sure to check out this sweet science lab:

Quiz tomorrow if you are in Section 3!

Continue reviewing for the Soil Quiz--coming your way tomorrow for all Section 3 people. Check out the review guide here! Click here to get the review questions (with solutions) from class yesterday!

Section 4: Wednesday, November 16th
Section 3: Thursday, November 17th

Quiz tomorrow OR Thursday (depending on your section!)--details below...

Continue reviewing for the Soil Quiz--coming your way THIS week.  Please see the schedule below to confirm which day your section quiz is scheduled.  Check out the review guide here! Click here to get the review questions (with solutions) from class today!

Section 4: Wednesday, November 16th
Section 3: Thursday, November 17th

Quiz next week--see below for details!

Begin reviewing for the Soil Quiz--coming your way next week.  Check out the review guide here!

Section 4: Wednesday, November 16th
Section 3: Thursday, November 17th

NOTE: We will review for the quiz in class on Tuesday (November 15th).

Assignment #15 (due 11.10)

Choose 4 of the following threats to soil to research. For each one chosen, please provide a brief definition and explain why it is considered a threat to soil.

soil erosion
desertification
acid rain
fertilizers
pollutants
deforestation
salinization
climate change

No assignment.

Take the time tonight to watch the election coverage.  You are encouraged to bring any questions you may have back to class tomorrow.  Be sure to get a good night's rest!

No assignment!

Have a wonderful weekend...and thank you all so much for the very lovely birthday surprise today!  I am so grateful for each one of you.

Assignment #14 (due 11.4)

Please complete your Soil Composition Lab for 11.4.  Be sure that all data tables (qualitative AND quantitative!) and the Soil Texture Triangle are complete, and that your responses to the Thought Questions on the last page are typed (12/14pt font/Calibri or Times New Roman).  Good luck!

No formal assignment, but...

...please be sure you have completed Steps 12 and 13 of the Soil Composition Lab from class today.  If you'd like, you can try your hand at using the soil texture triangle to determine your soil type in Step 14.  If you get stuck, please remember that you will have time in class tomorrow to continue working.

NOTE: The completed Soil Composition Lab packet will be due this Friday, 11.4.

No assignment tonight...

But...please remember to bring your Soil Composition Lab packet to class tomorrow (11.2).

Assignment #13 (due 11.1)

Please watch this Soil Formation Video (scroll down for the video).  Then, complete the Soil Formation Packet for 11.1.  Do your best--we'll discuss on 11.1!

Also, please remember to bring your copy of the Soil Composition Lab back to class on 11.1.

No assignment, but..

...please relax after doing such good work on your quiz today!

Quiz changed to tomorrow--Wednesday, October 26th!

Continue reviewing for the Experimental Design Quiz--coming your way tomorrow (Wednesday, October 26th). Check out the review guide here! 

Also, be sure you turned in your Soil Texture Lab from class today--this will count as Assignment #12.

Quiz on Tuesday, October 25!

Continue reviewing for the Experimental Design Quiz--coming your way next Tuesday, October 25th. Check out the review guide here! (NOTE: We will spend a few minutes at the beginning of class on Tuesday reviewing the practice problems from the review guide.)

Assignment #11 (due 10.21)

Please collect a soil sample from home; complete the data table you received in class today using observations of your sample.  Remember to bring your soil sample to class tomorrow!

Continue reviewing for the Experimental Design Quiz--coming your way next Tuesday, October 25th. Check out the review guide here!

Assignment #10 (due 10.20)

Please watch this Types of Soil video and complete the Soil Types Assignment handout from class today (instructions included).

Also, please begin reviewing for the Experimental Design Quiz--coming your way next Tuesday, October 25th. Check out the review guide here!

Assignment #9 (due 10.19)

Please finish the NOVA campus map you began working on in class today.  Remember that your map should be created from the "bird's eye view", as detailed as possible, and in color.  Do your best!

Assignment #8 (due 10.18)

Please compose a conclusion for your barnacle investigation.  Use the 5 questions discussed today as a guide for what to include (you can use the conclusion handout you received in class for help).  Each of the five components of your conclusion will be worth 2 points; this assignment is worth 10 points total and will be collected.  Do your best!  :)

1.	Purpose restated	2 pts
2.	Hypothesis restated (supported, partially-supported, or not supported?)	2 pts
3.	Major findings stated (refers to the data collected)	2 pts
4.	Suggestions to improve the lab procedure	2 pts
5.	Suggestions for lab extensions	2 pts

You may write or type your conclusion.  Due on Tuesday, October 18th.

No assignment, but...

Please bring your completed data table from today's barnacle investigation back to class tomorrow.  Be sure you have (1) entered correct headings for each column, (2) calculated your means for each barnacle group tested, and (3) recorded your qualitative observations.  We will use this information in class to work on writing a good conclusion and reflect on the experience of working with the barnacles.

Assignment #7 (due 10.12)

Please suggest and write an appropriate procedure (list of instructions) for your barnacle feeding rate investigation tomorrow.  Think about the activity we did in class today that focused on the importance of writing good instructions that others can follow.  Consider the steps that should be taken by your group to prepare and carry out your experiment, as well as the materials that will be needed to do so.  Think about the number of trials you will perform and how you will collect your data. A strong experimental procedure is detailed, well-ordered, and describes quantities. It should be simple and easy to follow.  Do your best!  You will have time to share, combine, and modify your procedure with your group tomorrow in class.

The manipulated variables and materials for groups in each section are listed below.

Section 3:
Sean, Graham, Eliana: Type of food (Materials: 2 types of fish food, barnacles, Puget Sound water, glass containers)

Charlie, Gabriel, Nirja: Water temperature (Materials: Puget Sound water, ice bath, hot plate, thermometer, barnacles)

Sarah, Molly, Harvest: pH level (Materials: pH buffers, pH strips, barnacles, glass containers Puget Sound water)

Edith, Nina, Willa, Sophie: Amount of light (Materials: 3 full-spectrum bulbs, 3 lamps, barnacles, Puget Sound water, glass containers)

Kiri, Nathan, Eleanor: Noise pollution level (Materials: barnacles, Puget Sound water, glass containers, laptop, YouTube video of a running boat engine, speakers)



Section 4:
Jonah, Ella, Gabby: Amount of food (Materials: 1 type of fish food, barnacles, glass containers, measuring spoons, Puget Sound water)

Leila, Alayna, Serenne: Amount of light (Materials: glass containers, barnacles, Puget Sound water, light, something to provide shade)

Finn, Addie, Matt, Nick: Concentration of silt (Materials: glass containers, barnacles, silt, Puget Sound water, pencil, paper)

Poppy, Kassie, Alex: pH level (Materials: pH buffers, pH strips, barnacles, glass containers Puget Sound water)

Francis, Julien, Quinn: Barnacle density (Materials: rocks with different barnacle densities, glass containers, Puget Sound water)

No assignment, but...

Please arrive to next Tuesday's class on time and be ready to go with your barnacle group--we will need the entire period to work!  I will have all of the materials you requested, as well as copies of the instructions your group created today in class.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Will I see any of you at the Arts Walk???

Assignment #6 (due 10.7)

Please complete the Practicing Experimental Design handout for tomorrow.  Do your best to answer the questions using the information provided.  If you aren't sure or feel as though you don't have enough info to provide a good answer, simply say so on the handout!  We will discuss tomorrow in class!

Also, be sure your barnacle group has the Independent Barnacle Investigation handout for continued work in class tomorrow.

No assignment, but...

...please rest from today's quiz AND remind your group "Paper Keeper" to bring the copy of the Independent Barnacle Investigation handout back to class tomorrow.

Quiz tomorrow, October 5th!

Continue preparing for tomorrow's quiz (October 5th) on microscopes, hypotheses, and variables. We will spend the first part of class reviewing; the quiz itself will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Check out the review guide here! 

Quiz next Wednesday, October 5th!

Please begin preparing for the quiz on October 5th covering microscopes, hypotheses, and variables.  Check out the review guide here!  

Also, remember to bring your Let's Practice Organizing Data handouts from today back to class on 10.4.

No assignment tonight, but...

...be sure to bring your How to Construct a Data Table handout back to class tomorrow!

Assignment #5 (due 9.28)

Please complete the Quantitative or Qualitative? handout for tomorrow.  Reminder: Instructions are provided on the first page.  Remember to use your data notes from today for help!

No assignment tonight, but...

...please remember to bring your barnacle questions and hypotheses to class on 9.27.  Have an awesome weekend!

Assignment #4 (due 9.23)

Please record your 3 barnacle feeding questions from last night in the bottom of the table on your What is Hypothesis? (Part I) handout.  Then, convert each question into a hypothesis using the "If....then" format.  Finally, identify and underline the manipulated and responding variables for each hypothesis.

Give it your best shot...bring your work tomorrow...we'll discuss!!

Assignment #3 (due 9.22)

First, check out these 3 cool videos of barnacles feeding (click on the highlighted text). The first 2 are from last week; the last one is new:
This video shows barnacles feeding on bioluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) plankton.
This video shows a giant barnacle feeding up close.
This video shows barnacles feeding in breaking waves.

After watching the videos, create a list of at least 3 questions that come to mind about the environmental conditions which may affect the rate of barnacle feeding.  Think about where barnacles live and how they feed.  Consider when barnacles might need food and when they might not.  When you are finished with your list of questions, convert each question into a statement which begins with "I wonder how...".

Example:
Question: How does water temperature affect the rate of barnacle feeding? 
Statement: I wonder how water temperature might affect the rate of barnacle feeding.

Reminder: Bring your What is a Hypothesis? (Part 1) handouts to class tomorrow...

No assignment tonight, but...

...remember to bring your Microscopy 101 Diagram and Barnacle Lab Instructions to class tomorrow.

Also, please note that you should all have a 3-ring binder (or accordion folder) for science by now.  Please see T-Mac if you have any questions.

Assignment #2 (due 9.20)

Explain the difference between "magnification" and "resolution" when using a microscope.  You may find the information on this EXPLORING WITH MICROSCOPES webpage helpful as part of your research.  Also, be sure to bring your Microscopy 101 Diagram back to class on 9.20.

If you have time, check out these cool videos of barnacles feeding (click on the highlighted text):
This video shows barnacles feeding on bioluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) plankton.
This video shows a giant barnacle feeding up close.

Assignment #1 (due 9.14)

Find and record 5 cool, scientific facts about barnacles.  Remember to bring your Barnacle Lab Instructions to class tomorrow.  Explore this blog--bring your questions about how it works and suggestions for improvements to class tomorrow.