Caution: ALUM DO NOT DRINK OR GET IN EYES/NOSE

ALSO, REMEMBER, IT IS NOT SAFE TO MIX CHEMICALS!  EVEN HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS CAN BE VERY UNSAFE!

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park: Integrated Unit

suggested websites for the Science Portion

scroll to bottom for planning schedule

Solar Oven (think about why this might be useful)

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/smores/

easy read version http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/drinkingwater/watertreatmentplant_index.cfm

more advanced version  http://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/treatment/treatmentOverview.do?treatmentProcessId=1934681921

http://www.natureskills.com/survival/water-purification-process/

http://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/benefits/water_purification.html

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2000/ast02nov_1/

Solar disinfection:  see link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-mQIR4UcAAaOwd.jpg:large

Instructions and Rubric for Groups

Scoring Rubric & Instructions for Water Purification Project

(Important Warning:  This water used in this project is to simulate purification,

and is NOT to be consumed as part of the testing!)

In assigned teams, you will be creating a water purification & collection/storage system.  The systems must have a minimum of 3 steps (which we studied in lab):

• Gross particle filtration – percolation
• Flocculation with Alum
• Evaporative or UV “sterilization”

The system design and testing will also have three components:

1. A very neat labelled diagram (poster) to explain the steps of purification
2. A one page typed explanation of water purification, including amounts of water needed for system, time required for the process to be complete, and net water collected (water in minus water lost = water collected), cost, process, etc.
3. 3 D working model of the system

Resources:

• Resources will be posted on my BLOG; Chromebooks will be available
• Notes from our water labs

Materials:

• Think recycled materials (paper filters okay)
• Do not use current inventions such as Brita filters, instead think what might be available in the Sudan for those on very limited income
• Portable (easy to carry in the desert on foot)

Scoring Guide

Checklist for Science – Water Purification System

Day 1 – Wednesday

1. Discuss with your group, the three stages of water filtration.
   1. Percolation b. flocculation (with alum) c. distillation
2. Research current simple water filtration systems. See BLOGs.
3. Record notes.

Day 2 – Thursday

4. Sketch a rough draft plan of system. Maybe each person submits an idea, or in partners. Then call a meeting of your group and discuss plusses and minuses of each design.
5. Rework the final idea of the design.
6. Make a list of items you will need to build the system and bring them to school. (Some items may already be here. Think recycled items – don’t spend money if you can avoid it. Be clever!)
7. Rough Draft of report describing your water purification system (divide this up into sections).

Day 3 – Friday

8. Assembly Day!   Help and be careful to follow diagram.
9. Test system. Prepare description of how it works. Rework the diagram, label parts, place diagram on the presentation board.
10. Share sections of report and type up.
11. Place information on tri-fold board. Leave room for Math graphs, maps, etc. for other parts of project.
12. Board suggestion: Keep it neat. Think about size and don’t add scribbles to decorate. Contrast colors, white on black for instance, behind pieces enhances appearance.

fyi Science Progress Report printed for p1 & p2 (Error on date for late work)

Late work for trimester II is due in my class no later than Tuesday, March 3rd.  Sorry for the confusion.

Physics of Motion – Valentine Velocity!

Our initial calculations in velocity.  A little fun with Valentine Velocity!

Oceanography Test Retake and Study Sessions

Some students have requested a re-take on the Oceanography Test.  Therefor, I will be offering brief study sessions during lunch (first 20 minutes) on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Students who wish to be re tested on this material must attend at least one of the sessions, bring corrected test, and write a one to two paragraph short essay explaining one of the following topics (from the test):

• How waves are formed
• Tsunamis and how they differ from waves
• How Spring & Neap tides are formed and how they affect the shoreline
• How deep ocean currents are formed, and how this relates to the Thermohaline Current

Finally, the test will not be identical to the first test, as this would turn the value of test scores into mastering the test, rather than mastering the material and being able to apply it in questions on the test.

TEST will be given at lunch on Friday.  Students may bring their lunches, as the test will take approx. 35 minutes to complete.  No journals will be allowed to support test answers in this session as in the first session.

Good Luck and happy studying!

http://geology.com/records/biggest-tsunami.shtml

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/currents/06conveyor.html

Donations needed for Solar ovens, light unit, water purification…

Please start saving boxes, shoe box or larger for solar ovens.  Project to begin late February after we study “light”.  We will also be using the ovens to boil water, and to melt chocolate to make smores!  (The Gold Team did this in October – now its our turn!)

Donations needed for the Solar Ovens project:

1 box for team of three to make ovens

Saran Wrap or similar for “lense” on oven –

If anyone has access to inexpensive plexiglass (for the ovens) please let me know.  We would need about 40 pieces (about 8 by 11 inches) and edges sealed/taped/sanded to prevent injuries.

Large boxes of graham crackers

Chocolate bars

Marshmallows

Donations requested for the Light Unit:

Flashlights with batteries, both LED and incandescent

Mirrors all sizes (please deliver with your student as glass is pretty dicey with kiddos)

old polaroid sunglasses (that we can dismantle and use the lenses)

quartz crystals, prisms, mylar or anything like that refracts light and makes rainbows!

magnifying lenses (we have a few, but extras would be great)

Donations needed for water unit:

Old colanders, strainers

buckets

filter paper, paper towels

empty water bottles (plastic is best), straws, large collecting trough (If we continue to have rain, it might be fun to see how much each class can “catch” from the sky.)

large funnels, small funnels

We’re half-way through the year!  It’s going to go really quickly now!

Happy Holidays !

Wishing for all of you a safe, happy, warm, beautiful Winter Break & Holiday Season!

My favorite winter time website to share with you:

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos2/photos2.htm

Sunrise Over Scenic

Good Morning, Central Point!  Make it a great week!

3 Paragraph Essay

Page 32                                                             December 4, 2014

Importance of Measuring Accurately

It is very important to measure accurately. In our science class we have been studying the Metric System. We’ve looked at unit conversion (and how it is related to base 10), practiced using the Metric System in labs, and read an article about its use on NASA missions.

In our labs this week…

This shows that…

In 1999, the NASA orbiter …

Please Check calendar!