Experimenting Science in the Classroom

What are Simple Machines? Simple Machines is defined as "any basic mechanical device that changes the direction or size of force". Types of Simple Machines- Inclined Plane-->  A surface that has a flat, slanted side. Simplest of all simple machines steeper--> less distance, more effort gentle--> more distance,  less effort Example:  A ramp Ramps allow us to lift a heavier load or for those in a wheelchair to access a building. Screw--> Transforms rotational energy into vertical energy Lift things up push things down Hold things together Example: water bottle cap. Wedge-->   is simply a triangular tool, often made of metal, wood, stone or plastic. Uses directional force to spilt item and change the direction of force Thick on one end, thinner on the other Thinner and sharper--> less effort needed Example: Axe Lever-->  a plank or ridged beam that is free to rotate on a pivot.  perfect for lifting or moving heavy t

What are the five E's of Inquiry?? (A constructivist approach to learning) Engage--> An engaging activity Making connections with their prior knowledge Anticipate activities and focus students' thinking on learning! Make them mentally engaged! Explore--> Provides students with a common base of experiences. develop concepts, process and skills exploration of environment and materials Explain--> Helps students to explain the concepts they are using verbalize their understanding demonstrate new skills introduction of terms, definitions, and  explanations Elaborate--> extends students' understanding practice of skills and behaviors develop deeper and broader understanding of major concept obtain additional information Evaluate--> encourages learners to assess their understanding assess abilities evaluation of students

Inquiry is one of the two methods we will be using to teach in the Science and Technology course this semester. Inquiry is a method of teaching where students build knowledge through asking questions, gathering dating and analyzing data. Inquiry is all about students solving a problem or answering a question by conducting research. Inquiry has several characteristics: It demands evidence the use of logical and imagination Explanations and predictions Identifying and avoiding bias Science is not authoritarian In order to do Inquiry properly, you must know and follow the steps: Formulate a question or identify the problem What is being asked? Make predictions or a Hypothesis An educated guess about the end result. "I think that.." ,  " I inquire that..", etc. Collect and analyze, evaluate and interpret the data. What is the data?  Does it support your hypothesis? How can it be used to answer or solve the question/ problem at

In the past, I never realized how severe climate change and global warming has gotten. We often think of the world as a place with unlimited resources. I never stopped and thought about it until  our lecture on climate change last semester and can honestly say I am guilty of that mindset. I always understood that there is only one Earth, but never stopped to think about what would happen if we continued to live the way we do?.... continue to harm the environment the way we do?? The United Nations Panel on Climate Change conducted a meta study in which determined if data on climate control was creditable or if it diverges. In the end, they found that the data was creditable AND showed that as the reports went on and new data was published each set of data was more dire than the rest. Another study conducted by the Climate Reality Project collected the summer temperatures over the past 30+ years. In these 30+ years, we see that as time goes on, the heat continues to increase an