Technology in Science

Viewed with comments: Keri Wooten, Robin, Nancy

What a great way to learn about a variety of different technologies available to help enhance the learning experience. Not only did I enjoy actually doing the research for my own project, I also enjoyed being able to learn from the other voice threads that I watched. There is so much out there that can be used to help the students have a more effective learning environment as well as becoming used to the idea of technology in relation to their work, even if for the time being their work is school. This is important to teach students as it is part of their everyday life.

For sure I will plan on using technology in the classroom to make it a better experience for the students!

sweet salt water science experiment

I am so excited about this experiment! Basically the students are going to observe and measure the characteristics of water as a liquid and a solid but with a twist. They are going to note the differences between fresh water and salt water. First, they need to think of questions by going to Google Earth and the internet they will look at pictures of the ice bergs, describe the temperature and then hypothesize why there are ice bergs in the Arctic Ocean but not in the Great Salt Lake. After, they will complete the experiment of freezing fresh water and ice water and then recording the differences every 20 minutes. After we will discuss the application of this knowledge as we make ice cream in a bag using salt and ice cubes to make it freeze!

Content:

Grade 1, Objective 2 Investigate water and interactions with water. a. Observe and measure characteristics of water as a solid and a liquid.

Pedagogy:

Observe the difference in salt water freezing vs. regular water

Plan an investigation of the differences by recording the temperature of water when in a liquid state moving to a freezing state through the digital probe

How does knowing this help us? (ice cream in a baggie, put salt on steps when it’s icy outside)

ICE CREAM IN A BAGGIE:

Put in a sandwich-size Zip-Loc bag and 'zip' closed:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
-1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Put in a gallon-size Zip-Loc bag and 'zip' closed:
- the filled and zipped sandwich bag from above
- 2 tablespoons rock salt
- enough ice cubes to almost fill the bag

Shake and roll the big bag over and over, until the inner mixture is frozen (about 20 min.)

Technology:

Google Earth: Observe the different bodies of water at different times in the year

Ask questions: Why doesn’t the Great Salt Lake freeze? Where are the ice bergs in the Great Salt Lake when it is below freezing outside?

Why does the Arctic ocean have icebergs?

Temperature Probe: Have the students record data of freezing temperatures every 20 minutes on a chart from room temperature until the liquids are both frozen. Look at the data and make observations

Use the internet to look at different resources that show the temperature of the Great Salt Lake vs. The North Pole

Great Salt Lake

http://www.met.utah.edu/research/saltlake/Monitor

Arctic Ocean

http://www.thepoles.com/expguide/weathernp.htm

Using Google Earth

After exploring the other students' Google Earth projects it made me want to make another one and add more to it, or expand on what I have. I looked at

Keri Wooten
Allie Whitezell
Nancy Taylor
and Sam Webster's projects.

Honestly there is so much in Google Earth. I'm excited to make a tour for the solar system and talk about how there is so much out there. As I explored on Google Moon, and Google Mars I thought of how that would be an interesting literacy connection for the students to make a tour and then write about the difference it would make if they had to live on Mars considering the climate. What would they have to adjust in their daily living routine. Google Earth is an incredible resource that I'm just starting to see all the possibilities of (especially thanks to looking at my peers projects).


The only downsides I see to using it in the classroom, at least having students make a project is helping them to not feel overwhelmed by all the options. At least that was a struggle for me so I would think that perhaps they might see it as a struggle. However, I feel that the costs are very outweighed by the huge benefits.

Mansions in the United States

Here is the link to download mansions in the United States

Google Earth in the classroom

I love the idea of using Google earth for this assignment. So many students have no idea how to compare homes and buildings but I thought comparing Monticello with some of the homes from the estate boom would not only give them an opportunity to look at the shapes, but they would be able to really compare. Using Google Earth gives them an idea about where they are and if the students wish to look into the estates more there is so much additional information available that wouldn't be available if I just made a Power point presentation for the class.

1.Hearst Castle
Read the link and write a paragraph explaining why they felt they needed a home this large
Places, panoramio
2. Biltmore Estate, Vanderbilt’s
Identify the different shapes used to create the estate. View the slideshow of the estate and look for architectural themes.
Places, Panoramio, Wikipedia
3. Kykuit .- The Rockefeller Estate
Look at the links and find the art galleries in the home. Why is it that art is such a sign of affluence?
Places, wikipedia
4. Monticello- Thomas Jefferson
Look at the date this was built. Why is it so much smaller than the rest of the mansions? Now look at the other pictures showing Monticello at different times of the day with different angles. What do you notice that is different?
Wikipedia, places


3rd Grade
Standard 4: Contextualization The student will interpret and apply visual arts in relation to cultures, history and all learning

Objective 1
Compare the arts of different cultures to explore their similarities and diversities.

1. Describe why different cultures may have used different materials to create their arts and crafts.
2. Hypothesize why homes and buildings have generally become larger in modern times.

Objective 2
Connect various kinds of art with particular cultures, times, or places.

Objective 3
Recognize the connection of visual arts to all learning