SCIENCE FAIR MADNESS

I can't wait for this time of year! Why? First of all, it is very exciting for me to see what experiments get picked. Secondly, it gives you an opportunity to really research an area and gain further knowledge about a topic that you enjoy.

Your assignment for break is fairly simple - get plenty of rest, eat good food and THINK!

When you come back from break, I would like you to have 3 different ideas to research for an experiment. We will begin the research process that first day in class.

"Where do I look for an idea, Mrs. Stewart?" I have built a link into SCIENCE FAIR MADNESS at the top of this assignment to help you get started. JUST CLICK ON THE TITLE!

Be careful when you surf the Internet. You don't want to do someone else's 5th grade project that was put online! Also, make sure that you are looking at topics that can be experimental - you need to be able to collect data!

"Are there any that I can not do, Mrs. Stewart?" Yes, and thanks for asking. You may not do taste tests, any kind of written tests to music, paper towels, bubble gum, or batteries.

If you have a GREAT idea, e-mail me over break and we can have a virtual discussion about it!

Have a safe, peace-filled holiday or break! See you in 2008!

December Homework and Assignments

For Even Day class:

Homework - Finish Chapter 8 Keywords; Chapter 8 Worksheets; Read Chapter 9.

For Odd Day class:

Homework - Finish Chapter 8 Keywords; Read Chapter 9. Due December 10.
Hand in your labs that were due on the snow day.
Due December 12 - Chapter 8 Worksheets.

Upcoming Quizzes

December 11(day 4), December 12(day 5) - Chapter 8
December 17(day 2), December 18(day 3) - Chapter 9

November Assignments

November 5/6 - Remember to bring your goggles!

November 8/9 - Water Unit Test

November 15/16 - Biome Poster or Travel Brochure due.

November 29/30 - Detergents and Fertilizers as Pollutants lab write-up due. This is a full lab write-up!

Revised Homework for the 2nd Block of this unit!

Tuesday/Wednesday night homework is to continue to work on your vocab and reading. Disregard the template assignment!

Homework Unit 3

Water
By November 8 you should have read:
Text Pages: 268 - 293
By November 8, you should know the following:
surface water
river system
watershed
groundwater
aquifer
porosity
permeability
recharge zone
water cycle
evaporation
condensation
precipitation
condensation nuclei
potable
pathogen
irrigation
dam
reservoir
desalination
water pollution
point source pollution
non-point source pollution
wastewater
eutrophication
artificial eutrophication
biomagnification
CERCLA
CWA
SDWA

Homework Assignments

Block 1
Finish Bean Lab.
Block 2
Word process template for Water Testing. Read over testing procedures. Continue with vocab and reading.
Block 3
Formal Lab Write up due next Block 3. Quiz next block on vocab through reservoir.
Block 4
Pre-lab questions, hypothesis, purpose for lab.
Block 5
Full lab report due next Day 5. Begin review for test.
Block 6
Study for Test

Relating Natural Selection and Frequency of Traits

Homework: For October 23/24, you should transfer your tables and data to a word document and word process all your questions. Be sure that you PRINT your document before class!

Organization of Life
By October 16, you should have read:
Text Pages 92 - 101; 116 - 123; 129 - 133

By October 16, you should know the following:
ecosystems
biotic factor
abiotic factor
organism
species
population
community
habitat
natural selection
evolution
adaptation
artificial
resistance
photosynthesis
producer
consumer
decomposer
cellular respiration
food chain
food web
trophic level
ecological succession
primary succession
pioneer species
climax community

Homework Assignments

Block 1
Website Material and Active Reading

Block 2
Begin Calculating Land Area lab.
Quiz - Ecosystems

Block 3
Relating Natural Selection and Frequency of Traits lab
Finish Calculating Land Area lab.

Homework Assignments for Unit 1

Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
By September 26 you should have read:
Text Pages 58 - 66; 74 - 75 Case Study
Handouts 1, 2, 3
By September 26, you should know the following:
Alfred Wegener
asthenosphere
basalt
continental crust
convergent boundary
core
crust
density
divergent boundary
earthquake
erosion
Fossil
geosphere
Gondwanaland
granite
hot spot
hydrothermal Vents
igneous rock
James Hutton
Laurasia
lava
lithosphere
magma
mantle
Mid-Ocean Ridge
oceanic crust
Pangaea
Sea Floor Spreading
seismic wave
tectonic plate
Theory of Continental Drift
Thoery of Plate Tectonics
transform boundary
tsunami
volcano
Homework Assignments

Block 1
Review of Far Flung Fossils – read packet.
Block 2
Finish FFF at home.
Quiz - Continental Drift
Block 3
Write five questions about the class notes today.
Block 4
Quiz Plate Tectonics.
Block 5
Section Review The Dynamic Earth. Assign questions 1–6 on page 66. Active Reading Worksheet for Section 1
Block 6
Study for Test

Lab Report Format

Lab Reports
Your lab reports should be word-processed and include the following sections:

Title Page – Yes, you can be creative but don’t spend more time on the front page than you spend on the rest of the report. Your name, date, and your partner’s name(s) should be on the front cover.

Purpose – “Why am I doing this lab?” can be answered in a sentence or two.

Hypothesis – “What do I think will be the outcome of the lab based on my previous knowledge?” Again, this is a sentence or two with a reason for your hypothesis. This is ALWAYS in third person – “It is hypothesized that ……”

Materials – A list of everything used in the lab, in the quantity used. *

Procedure (Method) – A list of numbered steps of what you did for the lab. *
* In some cases, you may simply say, “Refer to Textbook/Handout/Webpage.

Results – Included in this section could be:
ÿ Observations – what did you use your powers of observation to see, hear, smell, feel (remember, no tasting!)? Do this in sentence form.
ÿ Charts – Use charts for any data (numbers) that you might collect over the course of the lab.
ÿ Graphs – You might need a graph to better show your data or to compare two or more trials.
ÿ Drawings – If you need to diagram an object, please do it on plain white paper and use appropriate labels. Color only if it is appropriate to do so.

Analysis – Why what happened, happened? In your analysis, you will answer the question set that is provided and explain your results. You need to tell the reader why you got those results. You can use your data and observations to support your answers and explanations. This should be in paragraph form. Also include sources of error in your analysis. What are the highly probable sources of error that you encountered in your lab? More than one person massing an item could be one; using two different scales might be another; the cancelled basketball game is not a source of error! No lab is perfect all the time!

Conclusion – Restate your hypothesis and compare it to your observations and results. “In conclusion, my hypothesis proved to be correct because if your don’t add the water to the brownie mix ….”

Factors to consider when you get your grade –
Did I spell check? Is it in the correct format? Is it word-processed? Was it on time? (ten points per day late penalty)

Lab Reports 2007 rev.docCreated on 9/5/07 7:54 PMCreated by Pam Stewart

Opening Handout

Science 8

This is an interdisciplinary field of study and will help you integrate your knowledge of biology, chemistry, math, history and current events to develop an understanding of the natural world and the forces that affect it. We will include the following themes:
ÿ Science is a process.
ÿ The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
ÿ Humans alter natural systems.
ÿ Environmental problems have a social and cultural context.
ÿ Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.

You need the following:
three ring binder with pocket dividers/dividers/pockets and paper
2 three clip, dual pocket folders
pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters
6” metric/English ruler (clear plastic)
graph paper and goggles
an active e-mail account at mph.net and a flash drive

Attendance: You have a job – to be a student. I expect you to be on time and prepared. I expect you to respect others views. I expect that you will hand work in on time. I expect that you will be in class. When you are late, you disrupt the flow of the class. Miss a lab and the performance and learning of your lab team is affected. While I know that you will get sick occasionally, be prepared to make up your work as soon as possible. Miss handing in an assignment? Taking a test? A quiz? A lab due to illness? You are expected to make it up or hand it in the next day that you are in school even if we do not have class on that day.

Safety: Please pay close attention to your personal space and adjacent areas during lab times. Follow directions for clean up and disposal carefully. Always wash your hands – even if you have on latex gloves.

Assessment: There will be a good deal of variety in your assignments this year. Here’s the percentage assigned for calculating your grades:

Lab Reports 20%
Tests 30%
Choices 15%
Homework 10%
Quizzes 10%
Ecolog 5%
In-Class Work 5%
Participation 5%

HELP!?!? The best way to see me for extra help is during Tutorial or after school. I also check my e-mail several times a day – pstewart@mph.net. You can also tape a message to my computer but don’t leave one on my desk. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Please don’t call me after 9 p.m. It’s my own time for hobbies, my favorite TV shows or sleep!


Science 8 Opening Handout.docCreated on 9/3/07 4:43 PMCreated by Pam Stewart

Science 8 Syllabus

Science 8 Syllabus 2007

Unit 1 – Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
Lab: Far Flung Fossils

Unit 2 – Organization of Life
Small Group Activity

Unit 3 – Water
Lab: Detergents and Fertilizers as Pollutants, Water Testing

Unit 4 – Biomes
Choice Assessment

Unit 5 – Populations
Lab: Yeast Growth, How will our population grow?

Unit 6 – Biodiversity
Activity – Species Bulletin

Unit 7 – Atmospheric Science
Lab: Air Pollution Lab, Acid Rain and Algae Lab

Unit 8 – Land Use
Design a Lab – Urban Design and Heat

Unit 9 – Feeding the World
Lab: Which crops tolerate salt?, Set up greenhouse.

Unit 10 - Waste
Lab: Bioremediation, Ongoing Recycling, Outdoor Composting, Vermiculture

Unit 11 – Energy
Lab: Blowing in the Wind, Window Shading and Temperature, Energy Audit

Unit 12 – Human Health
Lab: Experimenting with Hand Cleaners

Unit 13 – Environmental Policy
Choice Assessment

Student Syllabus 2007.docCreated on 9/3/07 4:57 PMCreated by Pam Stewart

Effort Criteria

Effort Criteria
Science Department

We believe that MPH stands for excellence in education. We expect high standards for work and behavior in our classes. We believe that an Effort Grade of 2 represents excellence because it is defined as an expected level of performance. It is expected that:
ÿ Homework will be in on time, neatly done, and with a genuine attempt to do the work.
ÿ In the lab, it is expected that appropriate behavior and participation will be demonstrated. Students will arrive prepared, follow directions and maintain low noise levels for safety, show concern for others, demonstrate preparedness by using good techniques, and maintain a clean lab area. Lab reports should be complete, neat, organized and submitted on time.
ÿ In class, students should come on time, be prepared, participate in discussions, be attentive, and respect both teachers and other students.

In order to earn an Effort Grade of 1, students must demonstrate outstanding qualities both in class and in the lab. This would include all of the qualities discussed for excellence plus:
ÿ Work that is consistently above average in quality and neatness that demonstrates detail and depth of thought.
ÿ In the lab, qualities of leadership and responsibility with self-initiated study and preparation should characterize the student’s behavior. Examples might include but not be limited to researching proper techniques before the lab, helping other students set up apparatus properly, volunteering to help put equipment away and clean up after the lab is complete.
ÿ Outstanding class participation might include leadership qualities, and demonstrating self-initiated research of topics, and respect and kindness toward others.

Expect an Effort Grade of 3 if you lacking in one of the areas described in the first paragraph. This may include:
ÿ late or missing, incomplete or sloppy homework assignments.
ÿ In the lab, this may indicate the student is unprepared, demonstrates inappropriate behaviors or a lack of participation.
ÿ It may also be the result of late, missing, incomplete, disorganized or sloppy lab reports.
ÿ Class behaviors such as tardiness, inattentiveness, disruptive, unkind or disrespectful behaviors would also result in an Effort Grade of 3.

Consistent performance as described above in one area or more will result in an Effort Grade of 4.

What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Part 1

The photo above is a view of the smoke pillar from the Columbine Forest Fire in Yellowstone National Park later in the trip.

Well, we left Syracuse on August 1 to fly to Billings, Montana. Not too exciting, eh? Needless to say, it does get better. We had planned the trip for about 7 months and we were all really excited about getting off the beaten path and seeing some country and small towns in a part of the country that we had yet to explore! We started the Montana Experience in Billings that night. We have been to Billings several times so after a quick breakfast the next morning, we headed to Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge. We got a glimpse of what life must have been like during the territory days of Montana. While we were there, we visited the prison gift shop. You always hear those stories about prisoners making license plates but ..... these men and women weave intricate designs with horsehair. If you have need of a bridle or halter, these were unbelievable. I did bring back a few pieces of the weavings but they do not compare to the larger pieces. The prisoners also do leather tooling and we saw some amazing patterns.

We stopped in town for lunch at an A&W Drive-In with carside service. There is just something about A&W served on a tray hanging on your window that can not be beat. After lunch, we drove to the state capital of Helena where we toured some historic buildings and then stayed the night. We were a bit concerned about forest fires as they had broken out in many locations. I was able to talk to one of the National Forest firefighters while we were in the hotel. Their job is quite interesting since it not only involves putting fires out but also deciding which ones to let burn out. We found out that we could make it through to our next stop - Seeley Lake - without any imminent fire danger. We left the next morning.

Grade 8 Science Final Review

Grade 8 Science Review

As you read over the following items, you should cross check your notes, hand-outs and your book for information to write at least three relevant questions for each topic. We will discuss the questions in class - small groups first, large groups last - and generate a more specific review sheet for each of the 20 items. While no review sheet can possibly convey every idea that has been presented this year, certain topics have been discussed more than others.


1. What is Environmental Science?
2. Tragedy of the Commons
3. Ecological Footprint
4. Sustainability
5. Experimental Method
6. The Dynamic Earth
7. Plate Tectonics
8. Water Cycle
9. Biosphere
10. Ecosystem
11. Biotic/Abiotic
12. Energy Flow
13. Energy Transfer
14. Your Own Biome Information
15. Species Interactions
16. Biodiversity
17. Water and Water Pollution
18. Global Warming and Atmospheric Change
19. Non-renewable Energy
20. Renewable Energy

Science 8 Test

Global Warming Unit - Please change this to May 7 and 8! The reason - I'd like to have a debate about the SCIENCE of Global Warming and we still need to finish the notes.

Science 8

Read handout on Global Warming.

Science 8 Lab Write-up Due 4/23-24

Please make sure that you have followed the format from class.

You need the heading, title, purpose (you have already done that), hypothesis (already complete), materials, procedure, data chart and observations, analysis (use the questions on the handout as a guide) and conclusion.

Science 8 Chapter 11 Review Sheet

Science 8 Review Sheet - Chapter 11


1. What is the water cycle?
2. What are the three main processes of the water cycle?
3. What is the energy source for the water cycle?
4. What is groundwater?
5. Why should we be concerned about surface water pollution?
6. What is the Ogallala Aquifer and why is it important to the United States?
7. What is potable water and why is it important for us all to have potable water?

8. What is thermal water pollution? How is it caused by industry?
9. Agriculture uses a good deal of water. Discuss the two types of irrigation. Which one is best and why?

10. Name two ways that you can conserve water at home.
11. Why is desalination NOT a good way to get potable water?
12. What is water pollution?
13. What is point source pollution? Non-point source pollution? Give an example of each one.

14. Describe water treatment at water treatment plants.
15. In your lab, you looked at groundwater filters made of soil, sand, and gravel. How do those filters work?

16. Why did the Cuyahoga River, a body of water in Cleveland, catch on fire?
17. What is the Clean Water Act of 1972 and WHY is it so important?

Science 8

Study Session - Tuesday, April 3 beginning at 3:10 and ending at 3:45.

Grade 8 Science Test

Water Unit - April 4/5
Study guide will be available Sunday online and Monday and Tuesday in class.

Science Horizons

If you stated that you would like to be considered for the BMS Science Horizons program, remember that your paperwork must be given to me by the end of the day on Monday, March 26. Please attach your essay to the information sheet.

Science Fair Night - Thursday, March 22

Please be at school at 7:00 p.m. You need to stay by your exhibit until youare dismissed so that you can answer questions. We should be done by 8:15.

Science Fair Presentations

Science Fair presentations will take place Monday, March 19 - Thursday, March 22. Your board is due on the day that you present.

For set-up on Thursday you will need one clean copy of your abstract, one clean of your complete project, your board and any other materials for your display.

Abstract Instructions

Abstracts

An abstract is another part of your written report. The purpose of an abstract is to supply someone viewing your project with a brief explanation of your efforts. An abstract should be no longer than two hundred and fifty (250) words. It too will be word processed, in its own folder and on the table with your project.

An abstract is made up of the following parts of your written report: purpose, method, results, conclusion and any possible applications. Remember that it must be 250 words or less. Therefore, the details of your method and results could be excluded.

As an example, let’s look at the fictitious experiment of John Student. “I germinated seeds and grew four plats of the same species for four weeks. I made the growth medium by measuring equal amounts of sand, peat moss, dirt, and vermiculite. I measured their height and placed one under yellow, red, orange, and green light. One plant started at 5.2 cm, two at 5.1 cm, three at 5.3 cm and four at 5.5 cm. I gave them 10 mLs of water every other day. I was careful to keep the temperature constant.”

In my abstract, I could summarize this by saying – Four plants, growing under different colors of light, were measured every day for four weeks. All other variables were kept constant.

The results can also be summarized. For example in my experiment above, I would not include the daily measurement of each plant, but I would summarize the pattern that I found. My abstract might read, “After four weeks, it was obvious that the plant under the red light was the healthiest and growing the fastest. It grew 2.1 cm.; yellow grew 1.9 cm., orange 1.8 cm., and green .8 cm.

In my final abstract below, I labeled all of the parts. DO NOT include labels in your abstract.

Abstract

The purpose of my experiment is to determine if different colors of light have any impact on the rate of growth of a species of plant (purpose). Four plants, growing under different colors of light, were measured every day for four weeks. All other variables were kept constant (method). After four weeks, it was obvious that the plant under the red light was the healthiest and growing the fastest. It had a total growth of 2.1 cm. In comparison, yellow grew 1.9 cm., orange 1.8 cm., and green 0.8 cm. (results). Therefore red light supports the growth of this species of plant better than yellow, orange, or green (conclusion). This information is important to people who grow plants under lights in greenhouses. They should invest in bulbs that emit more red wavelengths of light rather than the other colors or just fluorescent light (application).
139 words

Science Fair #8 Due March 5/6

Assignment 8
Checklist for Final Draft

This is it! Countdown to completion! If you would like to participate in the GSSSF you must register by March 3 – online. We will do that during class.

This is the final draft summary for your project. When you hand this in, you will only have to do your abstract and your board plus corrections to this draft. For this assignment, you have to have finished your experiment. There will be one more corrected copy to be done prior to Science Fair.

Please assemble your report in this order.

______ Title Page

______ Purpose

______ Hypothesis – Please state the reason for your hypothesis.

______ Materials (listed)

______ Procedure (numbered steps)

______ Data/Observations

______ Sample Survey sheet/tests

______ Graphs/Charts

______ Analysis

______ Conclusion

______ Bibliography

______ Final Copy sent to your e-mail account at school.






Parent’s Signature ________________________________________________________

Science 8 Science Fair Assignment #6

Science Fair #6 is your rough draft. Below is a copy of this assignment.


Assignment 6

For your rough draft, you need to do the following:

1. Correct or update your Purpose, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure and preliminary Data and Charts/Graphs.
2. Begin to work on your Analysis whether or not you have data. List your sources of errors as well.
3. Put your bibliography at the end.

Your report should follow this order:
? Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is ……
? Hypothesis
It is hypothesized that ………
? Materials
In a vertical list, please. Make sure that all materials are listed along with the amounts that you used or that you needed.
? Procedure
Numbered, complete steps. Make sure that whatever you have done appears in the procedure.
? Data/Observation
1. Whatever information you have at this point should be in your data or observation area. If you have made observations, those should be in paragraph form – that means complete sentences as well. “On the first day, I observed …”
2. Also, if you have made sketches of any of your set-up or observations, those should be placed here as well.
? Charts/Graphs
All data needs to be in a properly labeled chart. Graph labels should correspond to chart categories.
? Analysis (paragraph form)
1. Start with a recap of your research. Why did you choose this topic?
2. What major materials did you use and what results did you get?
3. Why did you get those results?
4. Sources of Error?
5. What would you change if you were to do this again?
? Conclusion (only if you are finished ?)
What did you learn? What possible implications does this have for society at large?
? Bibliography
Anything or anyone that you used as a reference!

PStewart Page 1 2/6/2007

Test - Grade 8

Test on Chapter 10 - February 2 and 5. Review session will take place on January 31.

Science Fair Assignment Changes

Okay, so I made a big mistake. Here are the changes - Science Fair #4 is due on February 1 and 2. Science Fair #5 is a signature only assignment (this is a change) and is due February 5 and 6. Science Fair #6 (Rough Draft) is still due on February 11 and 12.

Science Fair Assignment #3 Written Project Plan Due: January 22 - 23, 2007

Science Fair Assignment #3

For this assignment, you will need to complete a written project plan. That plan will be determined from the research and notes you have collected, as well as our conference.

During the conference, you and I will mutually agree on your topic for your project. Together, we will decide on the materials and procedure for your experimentation. We will also devise a timetable for that experiment.

From this point on, you need to have notebook paper in your folder – behind each assignment. On that paper, you will take notes and keep a log of any work or ideas that you have during the course of that assignment. You will also make changes to your project on these pages.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have reviewed the materials and procedure for this experiment. We can’t wait to get started!

Parent’s signature ________________________________________________________

Student’s signature _______________________________________________________


Written Project Plan Due: January 22 - 23, 2006
Total Point Value: 40/10

Project Title

1. Investigative Question(s): What is the purpose of your experiment?(problem to be solved)

2. (a) Hypothesis based on Investigative Question, written in the future tense.

(b) Statement of the Hypothesis (“If …. then ….”)

3. Materials needed (listed vertically).

4. Method (numbered step by step instructions)

5. Identify the “Control” (conditions or materials that stay the same) for your experiment.

6. Identify the “Variable” (conditions or materials that change; only ONE change at a time) for your experiment.

7. Attach Sample Data Sheets that you will use to record your data (sketches, log, chart, etc.)

8. Brainstorm ideas on how to graph your data.

How do I do my research for my proposal?

First, ask yourself what you would like to consider for a project. Remember, no batteries, paper towels, bubble gum or taste testing of sodas will be allowed.

For example if you are interested in bacteria, you will need to know what bacteria is and where you can find it. Not only that, but you will need to know how to grow it and what techniques you need to use to culture it. What is the best growing temperature? Will you need to incubate it? Do you need any special equipment? What will kill bacteria? What do I do withe the plates when I am done?

You might want to start with a definition of your topic. From there, expand your information to include any information that can help you do your experiment. Once you have concluded your research (not just a definition), write a preliminary question. What do you hope to find out by doing this experiment? Then, using your research, make an educated guess about the outcome of your proposal.

Science Fair Assignment #2

Science Fair Topic Proposal Due January 11-12, 2006


Name: _______________________________Project Title: _______________________________

1. Check the category for your project.

_____ Biological _____ Physical _____Earth _____ Social/Health

2. What problems are you going to solve? Your Investigative Question(s):


3. What is your control?


4. Your possible Hypothesis based on your Investigative Question(s):





5. Resources (books, magazines, websites-no more than 2 websites per proposal. Be sure that you are not using someone else’s paper for your research)

Resource A: Title ________________________________________
Author ______________________________________
Page(s) ______________________________________
Publisher ____________________________________
Copyright Date _______________________________

Resource B: Title ________________________________________
Author ______________________________________
Page(s) ______________________________________
Publisher ____________________________________
Copyright Date _______________________________

Resource C: Title ________________________________________
Author ______________________________________
Page(s) ______________________________________
Publisher ____________________________________
Copyright Date _______________________________

Resource D: Title ________________________________________
Author ______________________________________
Page(s) ______________________________________
Publisher ____________________________________
Copyright Date _______________________________

Resource E: Title ________________________________________
Author ______________________________________
Page(s) ______________________________________
Publisher ____________________________________
Copyright Date _______________________________


**Place at least one page of research behind each proposal in your Science Fair folder.**

Science Fair Assignment 1

Assignment #1

Turn in your folder and have a parent or guardian sign on the assignment page; due 1/8-9.