Apologia Physics: Friction Lab with Formal Lab Report

Today, the guys did a Friction Lab in order to calculate the coefficient of Friction.  Mainly I wanted to have another lab and make the guys write a formal lab report. This is a great lab.  You need a ramp and a block.  We brought wooden ramps, cardboard, a vinyl binder, and a tile plank.  Then, we made available parchment paper, wax paper, sandpaper, and aluminum foil available.  I brought out density cubes and a wooden block.  The guys had to both design and implement their experiment.  Rob had them do the calculations both ways described in the experiment.  The lab report is written is the third person, present tense, indicative mood, and active voice.  (Ex.  The first step is to set up the ramp and block.)  The lab report should have a title, Coefficient of Friction Lab, purpose, To understand friction, background, an explanation of the coefficient of friction, a hypothesis, the copper block has more friction than aluminum block, materials, scale, block, ramp, procedures, One places the block on the ramp, a data chart in Excel with the equations, the calculations, a photo, and a conclusion, The data either supports or refutes the hypothesis.  The lab report is typed and emailed.  When the guys finish, I'll post examples.

Materials

Here is a message from my husband, Rob.  We ran into a problem with Excel.
During class today we noticed that excel returned the wrong numbers when we used the sine and cosine functions with the degrees of the angle we measured during our friction coefficient lab.

The excel functions for sine and cosine use radians not degrees.  To correct for this you must convert degrees to radians.  Use =radian(degrees you measured) to convert degrees to radians.  Then =sin(radians calculated) to get the proper number to use in your calculations.  Check your answers with a graphing calculator or a sine/cosine chart.

We were validating our calculations by using both equations to calculate the friction coefficient.  We had a large margin of error.  Please recalculate the equations using the proper way of calculating sine and cosine.  Please show your calculations in excel.

Fling Science Physics

Look at this cute post.

Newton's First Law Demos

The Hidden Life of Toads NSTA Review

Doug Wechsler’s children’s book, The Hidden Like of a Toad is lovely. The author is a photographer and the graphics are compelling.   Toad describes the life cycle of toads.  Life cycles is an important concept in early elementary science.  Typically, kindergarten and first grade classrooms study butterflies.  But why not substitute toads?  Wechsler removed toad embryos from a nearby pond to study and photograph at home.  Teachers can take embryos from local ponds for classroom study, too.  The Hidden Like of a Toad is so detailed, the teacher can use this book for reference as the tadpoles develop.

Toad answers the questions curious children want to know.  What are the long ribbons of black eggs in ponds?  Embryos! (Day 1).  How do they breathe? Gills (Day 9) and lungs (Day 45).  What do they eat?  (Day 70) Wechsler did his homework; the book contains an updated taxonomy under Toad Facts, at the end of the book.  (The book is unnumbered.)  Toad answers a question I had.  How do toads survive the winter?  They burrow into the mud over the winter (Day 70).  The photos are clearly labeled, such as the vocal sac (Day 1097 opposite Brrrrrr!)  At the end of the book is a glossary and comparison between frogs and toads.  (What’s the difference between a frog and a toad?)  Additionally, at the back are Toad Facts, Saving Toads (Toad Detour), an explanation how Wechsler got the photos, and a resource page.  I read Toad to my favorite six year old, Paul, who is a big fiction fan.  Nonfiction?  Not so much.  He was engrossed, high praise from any child.  The Hidden Like of a Toad and its lavish photos is perfect for the early elementary classroom and any library.  My copy is promised to Paul’s school library.  

Apologia Physics: Excel Quiz and POGIL Intro to Newton's Laws of Motion

The first thing we did was test the guys' spreadsheet skills by entering their equations into Excel or Google Sheets.   It took forever!  Then we did an intro to Newton's Laws with POGIL, specifically this exercise with Newton's First Law , Second Law, and Third Law.  POGIL is slow--but effective.  I scanned answer sheets to use as keys.  Here are Newton's First Law and Newton's Second Law Pogil Answer Keys.  You need to use deductive reasoning.  I like POGIL as an introduction to a new concept.  POGIL was originally developed for Chemistry classes at colleges.  This approach works to both review material and hammer in the basics, in this case, Newton's Laws of Motion.  What I'm not finding are answer keys.  The Taskstream site from Ms. Knapps has a number of websites listed and is designed for Physical Science more than for Physics.

Here is a good Newton's Laws Labs Introduction and POGIL practice.

Update: The key for Newton's Third Law (above) is now available.  We wrote out the keys--there may be errors.  We crossed out a great deal of awkward wording.  Keys were difficult to locate because the authors want them away from students.

Apologia Physics: Excel or Google Sheets

Today in class we learned how to enter physics problems and formulas into either Excel or Google Sheets, which is the Google version of spreadsheets.  (Before we tackled Excel, we tried to troubleshoot Vernier's Physics app.  We need to put this on hold, for now.  In order to figure out the intervals between points captured of the missile's parabola, we need the angles and heights.  In other words, we'll come back to Vernier's app after Thanksgiving.). Back to Excel.  Rob used the tutorial above and entered all of the data, inserted the formulas, etc. first in Excel.  Next, he reentered all of the data into Google's sheets.  We had two laptops and a desktop.  We tried entering data and formulas online into Google sheets on an iPad.   Not. At. All. Easy.  The Google sheets are similar to Excel.  So, as long as we used the laptops or desktop, we only had to contend with inexperience with Excel.  It literallly took an hour to set up the data and enter the formulas together.  Here's why this exercise is useful.  As you're manipulating the data, you still need to understand the relationships among velocity and velocity y.  I'm going to try to use the Excel app for iPad to see if it's any better.
Update: The Excel app is a bit better and data can be successfully entered.  But, boy is it awful!

Apologia Physics with Vernier

Today we are trying Venier's Video Physics for iPad.  Our plan is to capture video of a catapult in slow motion, import the video into the app, export the data to Vernier's Logger Lite software, AND import this same data into a  Google spread sheet.  Completely uncharted territory.  The kids have no experience with spreadsheets, like Excel.  So, we're starting with Excel 101 only with Google sheets, beacause Google Docs are free.  Here are the videos we're using.

Apologia Physics: Vernier Physics App

Tomorrow, our plan is to go over some problems in projectile motion.  I bought an app for my iPad, Vernier's Physics.  Tomorrow, I plan to broadcast a youtube video explanation and let the boys see if we can figure out how to analyze motion with the app.  I plan to make a full disclosure of my ignorance.  We shall see.

Science Outreach Program for Elementary

My husband, Rob, and I are doing a program for a local elementary school.  The librarian wants to implement "Five Minute Science Stations".  This afternoon, Rob and I worked with a fifth grade class to test the program with catapults, hot wheels, and CD spinners.  The idea is for the fifth graders to test an idea and develop a video for their peers.  Other students can watch the video and replicate the experiment.  We used a launcher and track to teach speed.  It took a bit to convey the idea of speed and have the kids determine how to measure speed with Hot Wheels.  We did the same thing with craft stick catapults and CD spinners.

Hot Wheels took a bit of time.  Eventually, the kids were able to use an iPad as a timer and understood to take a least three measurements to average.  We even talked about the problem with reaction time and timing the speed, as well as converting feet per second into miles per hour.  With the catapults, we emphasized angle and distance.  As to the CD spinner, I showed the kids a few optical illusions and gave them CD patterns to color.  Here are the photos.

Apologia Physics: Quick Update

Yesterday we had Physics class at our house because the library was closed for voting.  The guys made new catapults using their favorite designs and collected data. The guys shot their catapults in the basement.  Our favorite six year old, Paul, set up army men as targets and collected marshmallows for the boys.  The guys targeted Paul with their marshmallows.  He had a ball.  My husband, Rob started to explain the math and vector analysis.  He's going to go over the calculations again Thursday.

Update: Rob went over the problems which I taped.  Then when I tried to upload the video I remembered I needed to limit the film for youtube.  So, that was an enormous waste of time.  Next time, I'll capture one problem as Rob explains it.

Apologia Physics: Projectile Motion Catapults

Today's class went as expected.  The guys built catapults in the Maker Lab.  It attracted a lot of interest.  The guys spent the whole class period refining their catapult models.  Rob wanted them to collect data.  They did, but were modifying their catapults so much they didn't get much in the way of data.  On Thursday, they'll take their best models and collect data to analyze.  We also captured some video to try to use with Vernier's Video Physics app. We captured video with my older iPad and the new iPad, which can video in slow motion.  Fingers crossed it works.
 Update: The library posted photos on Facebook and received over 2000 hits! Yeah!
Another update:  Rubber band canon

NSTA Review

Yeah!  The latest review is up!  I liked the software I tested.  I just wish it were more available to home-schoolers.  From the pricing, I think the publisher is directing the program to later get public schools.

Designer Baby Blog

Here are the components of the Designer Baby blog: video, links, articles, definitions, and editorials.
Big question is, "What does the Catholic Church teach regarding reproductive technology?"
First we need to create a blog.  The only tricky part in using blogger is to create a unique title.  The kids need to define all of the terms, add germane links and videos, and discuss where reproductive technology can go wrong, i.e. divorce custody issues regarding embryos or errors in embryo transfer.

Designer Baby Terms

There are loads of terms associated with 'designer babies': reprogenetics, In vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer, embryo cryopreservation, embryo donation, pre-implantation diagnosis, 'savior sibling', commercial surrogacy, and custody of embryos.

Bird House

I'm in the process of grant writing--which means research.  I'm planning on adding bird houses to an environmental project because kids love to build bird houses.  I've used this bird nesting box kit and this alternate nesting box kit from Carolina Biological.  Both versions are fairly easy to build.  Lowes has a bird house kit, too.  The Lowes kit retails for about $10; the bird house kits from Carolina are about $14 each.  So, we tried the Lowes kit with our favorite six year old, Paul.  The holes are predrilled.  The design is a simple box.  My only issue is that the nails are tiny!  Rob and Paul built the bird house in about an hour.  So, I think elementary kids could construct these kits with minimal direction.  We used markers to decorate the birdhouse because they're less messy. The kits from Carolina are more substantial--but this was easy to build.    Here is a photo of my teens building bird boxes.  Here's a shot of a completed bird box hanging in the woods behind the school. Want more on birds?  Try Cornell.

Apologia Physics: Projectile Motion

Depending on the Physics edition you're using, Module 4 or 5 is about projectile motion.  I like to begin with a lab, a hook for the material.  We're starting this unit next week with catapults.  This projectile project is the basis for the catapult lab.  Here's how we are going to conduct the lab.  The guys will build catapults to address both of the questions below.  I have large and small craft sticks, rubber bands, protractors, rulers, plastic spoons, marshmallows, and a glue gun.  I'll post examples of catapults on to the TV screen in the Maker Lab at the library.  The kids are welcome to use printed instructions to construct the catapults.  My husband, Rob, was alarmed, 'This could take the entire class!' Actually, it might take two classes.  But, then, Rob can use these catapults or the mighty missiles when he does the formal instruction of the module's materials.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Quick update: Physics 40 has detailed calculation examples we're going to use once the guys make and test their catapults.




Scroll down the page to see these questions 'Select one of the following questions 

• How does changing the angle affect the initial velocity and range of the projectile? 

• How does changing the length of the arm affect the initial velocity and range of the projectile?'

Apologia Physics and Physical Science: Center of Gravity

Yesterday, the Physics class worked on vector addition.  But, I like to have a hands-on activity just about every class.  So, I brought in my Bottle Balancer, which demonstrated center of gravity.  As you can see here the guys balance the bottle immediately.  Want more?  A classic example for demonstrating center of gravity is a sky hook.  Another favorite is the balancing bird.  The Exploratorium even has teacher instructions using clay and a meter stick.  Let's round out this post with one last center of gravity hands-on activity from Educational Innovations.  Take a look at the ideas using craft sticks.

Designer Babies

The past two years, I led a project called, Designer Babies, mainly to evoke an animated, faith-based discussion.  Here goes a third year. The idea is to treat Designer Babies, as an example of project based learning or PBL.  The driving question is 'Should a parent design a child?' Or 'Would you design your child?' The project is creating a blog with video, articles, opinions, and editorials.   The Co-op has a Bio-ethics/Literature class.  The group is studying a hot of issues using a wide range of dystopian literature.  Cool, right?  The first thing is to become acquainted with the topics: 'savior siblings', forms of IVF, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, 'three-parent babies, surrogacy, etc. The moral issues become more tangled.   As a devout Catholic, what does the Church teach?  Have a look at these articles.  As you develop your blog, each key term and topic should be defined and amplified.    Below are a few articles to spark your search.

'Who will save the savior sibling?'
'Three Parent Baby....'
'Three-parent Baby Makes Human Life Disposable...'
'Do women who donate their eggs tuna health risk?'
'Data Gaps in Reproductive Health....'
'India Unveils Plans to Ban Surrogacy'
'Begotten Not Made'
IVF Mix-up
'Multifetal Pregnacy Reduction'
'The Future of Fertility'

Apologia Physics Update

 All four guys were present so after making clinometers, we all went over problems, part of an assessment.  The guys completed selected problems from the chapter test in the textbook supplement.  For me, the goal of an assessment to to check progress.  I do all of the problems and manage to make every dumb error.  Forget to convert minutes to seconds? Check.  Did I note the units?  Nope.  Did I forget to square in the equation?  Yup.  After we completed the problems and reviewed all of the steps to show how to reduce errors and answer questions, I asked my husband, Rob, if he was satisfied with the boys' progress.  You can learn a great deal from the discussion apart from their answers.  If you are going alone, check the answers to a problem.  If yours is incorrect, redo it to see if you just made a simple math error before studying the solution manual.  Better still, show mom or dad exactly how you obtained the answer.  Our next class is all about adding vectors.

Apologia Physics

We made clinometers in class first thing.  Why?  They use tangeants!  They also go along with problems related to the height of any object.  I had made clinometers when I studies forest biodiversity.  Clinometers are used to measure tree height.  We used the ceiling height in the Maker Lab of the library because we could get a measurement to check the accuracy of the measures with a clinometers.  (In writing this, I realized I hadn't instructed the guys to calculate the percent error.  Whoops!).  Justin's measures matched ours because he took the angle of the protractor while Kolbe eyed it, insuring better accuracy.   Here are the photos.

Teach Yourself Physics

I know you're saying, 'I'm already teaching myself Physics at home.  What's the point to this blog post?'  My husband, Rob, and I teach a Physics Co-op class, in a regional library, typically in the Maker Lab, which is widely visible to everyone visiting the library.  On Thursday, one of the librarians told me she like to eaves-drop on our class.  Yeah!  The librarian's son has a Facebook friend in Sri-Lanka who is teaching himself Physics.  He may not have the Apologia textbook.  In fact, the book may be prohibitively expensive to buy and ship online.   So, where do you start when you try to teach yourself Physics?
1. Khan Academy is the gold standard for instruction.  Scroll down the page to the section of topics, which is laid out in a logical order of standard Physics topics.
2. PhET has virtual Physics labs.  Typically, the online simulations require a robust computer or tablet.
3. TOPS Science uses simple materials for instruction, such as beans.  The authors taught science during a stint in the Peace Corps and have developed a host of inexpensive lab books.  TOPS sells books.  Many of their books can be purchased used from Amazon or eBay.  In each section is a free lab to download and try.  Try this Paper Clip Pulley from the Machines Book. 
4.  Toys From Trash has science toys.  Go straight to Newton Unplugged and try the straw spinner.
5.  CPO Science has a textbook (in PDF format) for Physical Science.  When you get stuck on a topic, try to read about it in a Physical Science textbook.  Why?  It's written for younger scholars and has more detail and examples.
6.  NY Regents Physics. In New York, student must pass a regents test in order to receive a college prep diploma.  Regents level high school classes in New York have rigor.  Note how organized each section is.  These are the key topics for the Physics test.
7.  POGIL Physics uses clear examples that require a little thinking to answer.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page for three examples.

I'll continue to post our progress in the Physics class with examples and links.

Apologia Physics: Problems In Module 3.

Rob has been working with the guys on problem sets, which is slow.  Today is a quiz to check for understanding.  He's been working on vectors, mostly adding vectors, which involves trig.  Rob had Trig last in high school.  We are not planning to spend a lot of time on vectors. Today, we do want to finish linear motion.  Rob has been reviewing more on height of a building, which can be calculated with a protractor a couple ways.   First is by using A protractor at a 45 degree angle; at a 45 degree angle, the tangent of 45 degrees is one.  With this approach, you're using Pythagorean Theorum.

One more note.  You measure the 45 degree angle with a protractor.
Here is another explanation.

Pasco Tech Update: Sparkvue

I am a firm believer in tech--especially with home-schoolers!  I'm experiencing frustrations with my Pasco sensors.  I'm in the middle of developing a science program with a local elementary school.  The school's librarian wants to makeover her media center into a STEM center with a Maker Space.  Cool, right?  So, I brought in my iPad, airlink-2 interface, and motion detector and set it up to demonstrate the Sparkvue labs.  Nothing happened.  Zero.  The Sparkvue app had recently updated.  My iPad-2 is now obsolete.  I bought an iPad-Air 2 and downloaded the Sparkvue app.  Sure enough, the motion detector works!  Aaarrrgggh.  I set up the older iPad-2 again just to check.  Nothing.  Here's my concern.  How many people, schools, Co-ops can afford to update their iPads every few years?  Mine was only two years old.  I contacted Pasco with my concerns.  Pasco does have a device, Spark Element, which interfaces with Spark-link and Air-link and has loads of labs.  But it's $200.  Aaarrrggghh.  What bothers me is that these technology trials deter people from adopting new tech.

More on the Grant process: Weather Lesson

I'm developing science programming for a local elementary school grant project.  The school librarian is developing 'centers' for the library children can do during their free time.  More STEM in school?  Count me in!    The lessons need to relate to the school curriculum, and to be inexpensive, yet engaging.  Young children is kindergarten or first grade need science lessons about weather.  One lesson can use UV beads to learn about UV radiation from the sun with this UV lesson from NASA.  In this lesson, children test whether or not the UV beads change under different conditions.  Next is this Cloud Module from GLOBE.  I like to teach children the names of clouds.  GLOBE has a story book, 'Do the Clouds Have Names?'  and Cloudscape activities.  The Cloud Watch has a link for the GLOBE Cloud Chart.  Marshall University had developed a dichotomou!s key for Cloud identification that is fabulous for young children.  Scroll down this page to access the cloud triangle activity.  One last cloud activity--a cloud viewer!  Save your bottles!  Look at this awesome tornado tube activity!  There are over 700 children in the local elementary school.  Educational Innovations sells terrific tornado tubes.  But, even the bulk rate is cost prohibitive.  Instead make a tornado tube with a metal washer, two plastic bottles, and duct tape!  It works!  All of the kids will want to make one and keep them.  BTW, one liter soda bottles work well!

 

Grant Process: 5 Minute Science

I'm in the middle of developing a grant program for a local elementary school and thought I would share some of the ideas.  The grant will include 5 minute science experiments, watershed education, and a courtyard makeover.  The librarian is spear-heading the program and wants to start this month.  We're starting with Exploratorium's rotocopters, CD spinners (Here are templates.), rocket balls--with tennis and ping pong balls,  and UV beads.  Why these?  The issue is cost.  I have the UV beads on hand to donate.  The librarian had CDs.  We selected activities that are inexpensive and easy to scale up for hundreds of children.

Apologia Physics and Science Outreach

We're still working on word problems.  But, I'm committed to having a hands-on lesson each week.  The home-school families are going to help with an outreach event show-casing a number of physics demos or labs, one of which is Hot Wheels Speedometry.  These lessons are intended for fourth grade physics lessons.  We had to try them.

Hydroponics

No, we aren't starting a grow lab.  I had hydroponics towers in my classroom.  My husband, Rob, loves to garden.  I thought he'd love to start a garden inside.  So, I ordered the same tower I had had in the classroom.  We had a little issue with the pump and the timer.  By problem, I mean, the pump immediately failed.  The timer just didn't work.  When I can write a civil response, I plan to take issue with the seller on eBay.  We bought a new pump!  The seeds germinated immediately.  I let the pump run for hours.  Once I get the timer, we'll be set.  Here's a peak.