What is Due Friday, December 17, 2010?

Author: Ms. Davis Labels::

We have been diligently working on Science Fair projects. Now, it is time to turn in a portion of the project before Winter Break. Many of you continue to ask what is due Friday (although we discuss this EVERY time you come to class and a packet was distributed with due dates). I'm in the Christmas spirit! So, I will share this information with you again. Below is a checklist of everything that should be turned in to me by Friday, December 17, 2010:

1. Research Report - a report that summarizes current information related to your topic. It will help you understand the procedure, observations, and results of the research. The report will also help you to form an educated prediction (or hypothesis) about the outcome of your experiment.
          * The research report should include definitions and explanations of the main concepts or topics
             related to your project. It should also include information from similar investigations.
          * If the paper is typed, it should be two pages in length with a 12 point, Times New
             Roman font. If it is hand-written, it should be 4 pages in length in classic blue or black ink
             (Handwriting needs to be legible).
          * The research paper should be double-spaced (if it is typed).
          * One paper per group should be submitted.

2. Bibliography - a list of sources that have been used to collect background information
          * A completed Bibliography Worksheet with three sources should be submitted.
          * One of the sourcees should be a non-internet source (book, encyclopedia, magazine, scientfic
             journal, interview with a scientist)

3. Materials and Procedure List - a list of all the items, quantitatively and qualitatively presented,  
    and steps in order, that are needed to conduct the experiment. Procedures should be detailed. 
          * A list of all of the materials you need for the Science Fair experiment should be submitted. (One per
             group)
          * A list of the procedures that should be performed to conduct the experiment should also be
             submitted. (One per group)
          * Many of the groups got a topic from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/. So, you can use the website as a
             guide to create a materials and procedures list.

4. Hypothesis - an educated prediction of the outcome of the experiment. It should be written in as
    a conditional statement (if/then).
           * The hypothesis will be completed in class Thursday/Friday. One hypothesis and list of variables
              should per group should submitted. 

5. Forms
            * Forms will be completed in class.

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Science Fair

Author: Ms. Davis Labels::

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT TIME!

Ms. Traylor and I recommend that students complete individual projects. This is standard to ensure that each student participates fully and thoroughly and understands the process involved in the Scientific Method. However, each individual student working on a group project will receive the same grade regardless of individual effort, time, and money spent.

It is imperative that students and parents alike understand that all Science Fair Project work is done outside of the classroom. Students working together must determine worksites, times, and transportation. These are all important factors to remember when deciding on group vs. individual projects.

Each week, a Science Fair related assignment is due. These grades will count as daily grades. This is to help with keeping students on track and preventing last minute projects that are just thrown together in an effort to “just get a grade”. Much focus is put on Science Fair and we want all students to work towards a project that is worthy of competing at the school fair, the region fair, and the state fair. I challenge you to have YOUR project as one of the greatest our school has yet to see.

Our hands-on, inquiry approach to studying the Scientific Method will result in at least 4 major grades for the 3rd Nine Weeks grading periods.

Students, please put forth 110% effort. Parents, please keep weekly tabs on your child’s Science Fair Project progress.

KRMS is the best and we expect nothing less!

If you have any further questions, Ms. Traylor or I can be reached via phone at (770) 229-3760 or via e-mail at dontauneia.traylor@gscs.org or robyn.davis@gscs.org, respectively.

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What's the Matter?

Author: Ms. Davis Labels::

We have been involved in understanding what matter is and how it can be identified. Matter is anything that has mass (or as we call it "stuff") and takes up space (or has volume). We completed an opening activity for the unit to understand what things around us would be classified as matter. Students now understand that any object in a solid, liquid, gaseous, or plasma state is considered matter. Some of those things include, but are not limited to: cell phones, iPods, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Fire is even considered to be matter, but students now understand that the heat energy it gives off is not. We cannot calculate the mass of energy or measure how much space it occupies.

It seems as though middle school students are "<3" with someone every other week; although <3 consumes a large part of their life ... it isn't matter. So, does it really matter? (=

Students have also determined the difference between physical and chemical properties of matter. A physical property is any characteristic of matter that can be detected by our five senses without changing the object's or substance's appearance. Examples include an object's color, taste, and shape. Chemical properties is a characteristic of an object or substance that allows it to change to something new. Examples of chemical properties that we have discussed include flammability, reactivity, and combustibility.

Matter also has the ability to change physically or chemically. A physical change is a change in the object's size, shape, form, or state of matter. It allows the object or substance to change appearance, but not its identity. When objects change chemically, it will change the material into a new material with new properties. Believe it or not, cooking and eating usually involve a chemical change.

Test your knowledge of physical and chemical properties and changes with the following website.

Good luck!

http://www.teacherbridge.org/public/bhs/teachers/Dana/chemphys.html

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