Here are a few sample activities that your child may be expected to complete during this course. I have tried to include one activity which relates to each of the four units that will be completed during this course:
Unit 1: Interactions Within Ecosystems
Explain the relations between the action of decomposrs (biotic - bacteria) and the conditions necessary for growth (abiotic) through observation. Four slices of bread are each going to be placed in individual plastic bags. In two bags add a tablespoon of water, while leaving the other two slices of bread dry. Place one moist and one dry bag on the counter and the other two in the fridge. Observe the amount of mold growth over time.
In a log book record your results daily. Describe the development of each of the slices of bread seperately. Which slice grew the mold the fastest? What conditions so you think effected these results? How do you think our current methods of food preservation differ from those of the past?
This activity would meet the following outcomes:
304-3: relate the conditions necessary for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms to various aspects of the human food supply
209-3: use instruments effectively and accurately for collecting data.
209-4: organize data using a format that is appropriate to the task or experiment.
Unit 2: Heat
Students place one hand in a beaker of cold water and one hand in a beaker of hot water for one minute. They then place their hands in two beakers of water at room temperature (the temperature is unknown to them.) Estimate the temperature of the water in each beaker. Then record the temperature with a thermometer and explain any differences.
This activity would meet outcomes:
109-10: relate personal activities in formal and informal settings to temperature
208-5: state a prediction and a hypothesis based on background information or an observed pattern of events.
Unit 3: Mixtures and Solutions
Given a specific list of materials (i.e., 2 L pop bottles, plastic wrap, styrofoam plate, rocks, etc.) in small groups, design and build a distillation apparatus. Present your results to the class to determine who produces the largest quantity of pure distillate.
This activity would meet outcomes:
111-5: describe the science underlying a distillation apparatus, using the following terms: boiling, evaporation, condensation.
211-3: work cooperatively with team members to develop and carry out a plan, and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
Unit 4: Earth's crust
Use the Internet to locate satellite images of volcanos formed at convergent zones, divergent zones, and hot spots.This activity would meet outcomes:
311-4: examine some of the catastrophic events, that occur on or near Earth’s surface. Include;(i) earthquakes
(ii) volcanic eruptions
210-2 compile and display data, by hand or computer, in a variety of formats, including diagrams, ? ow charts, tables, bar graphs, line graphs, and scatter plots.