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.

Apologia Physics: Word Problems and Efficiency

We're in the middle of Module 2 or 3, depending on your edition.  The guys are learning how to apply the equations.  My husband, Rob, is stressing.  I keep assuring him that understanding trumps quantity.  The kids need to understand what they're doing, which is slow, at first.  I believe in labs---pretty much every session.  So, we're working on problems from the book.  We did do one lab, Efficiency.  This is an opportunity to learn what potential energy and review what a joule is.