8^th Grade Science

05/11/2012

Science Fair Update

We will be spending time in Science class working on Science Fair Boards starting this coming Monday, May 14th.  All students must have a board here in school starting this Monday.  The student supply list for Science class includes crayons, colored pencils, markers, and glue.  The students will need to have these supplies in order to complete their Science Fair boards in a way that will "WOW" the judges.  We don't have a classroom supply of these items.  Please, make sure the students bring these items to school.

Regarding the conclusions due Monday, the students should follow the format on the rubric that was given to them.  They must state whether their hypothesis was supported or unsupported and then use their data to support that statement.

Regarding missing Science Fair homework assignments,  I'll still give late credit for completed homework assignments up until this Tuesday, May 15th.  That will be the last day students can earn homework credit for Science Fair assignments even if they do not have Science class on Tuesday.  No assignments will be accepted after that date.  However the Science Fair project does count as a test grade and must be completed.

05/03/2012

Science Fair Update

Students started working on their Science Fair abstracts this Monday and Tuesday in class.  The Abstracts are due this coming Monday, May 7th.  The abstract is a one page typed paper, single spaced, 12 font.  The students should use the questions on their scoring guide to remind them of all that they need to include in the abstract.

Science Fair boards are for sale here at school.  The boards cost $5.00, and all of the students need to have a board in school by May 14th.

03/13/2012

Science Fair Update

Details

Date:  Thursday, May 24, 2012

Time: Public Viewing 3:30 to 5:30 P.M.

             Awards Ceremony 5:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Place:  Multi-purpose Room

Experiment and Collect Data:  Students should complete experiments and collect data over several weeks and take pictures to place on their project boards.  PLEASE Encourage your child to stay focused and work on this consistently.

DUE _______________________week of 4/23__________________________________________________________

Abstract:Students are expected to write a sloppy copy of the abstract in their journals and then complete a 1 page typed overview of their experiment to be placed on the Science Fair display.  The abstract should include: what they were testing, how they were testing it and what they learned.  (This will be reviewed and discussed in the classroom to better explain requirements)

DUE __________________________week of 4/30_______________________________________________________

Conclusion:  Students will write a sloppy copy in their journals and type a final copy for their display boards.  The conclusion is 1 paragraph and states whether their hypothesis was supported or unsupported (Never Right or Wrong)

DUE ____________________________week of 5/7______________________________________________________

Display Boards:   The display board can be worked on at home or in class.  It will include all of the elements that have been described above in a specific format that will be taught in class.  Boards can be purchased at school for $5.00.  They are the standard 48” X 36” presentation boards. *May be less if we are able to purchase at a lower price.

DUE_____________________________week of 5/14____________________________________________________

Interview:  The interview process will occur at the time of judging the morning of the science fair.  Students should be prepared to discuss the project with knowledge of how they came up with the ideas, what they observed, any obstacles they encountered and possibly had to modify in their project to overcome them, and how they can apply this information (relevance). Students may prepare note cards or practice at home.  Parents you may want to ask them questions to give them practice and experience discussing their work.

03/09/2012

Cape Henlopen Field Trip & Science Fair Update as well as a special request

Cape Henlopen Driving forms are due back from all students on Wednesday, March 14th.

Science Fair-

I'm checking to see the Materials and Procedures component completed in students' Science Fair journals during the 2nd class that they have Science this week.  All students should also begin working on their experiments and collecting their data.

(Tuesday for section 8-3)

(Wednesday for sections 8-1 & 8-2)

Special Request

I need to borrow a glass aquarium to demonstrate how wind is created.  The bottom of the aquarium needs to be glass so that it can safely have a hot plate placed underneathe it.  Please, let me know if you are able to lend or donate an aquarium to the 7th & 8th grade Science class.

01/26/2012

Tide data website:

•http://saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/delawaresites.html#date

Homework: (Section 8-3)  Finish Gravity and Motion worksheet packet by Tuesday, 1/31.  

01/18/2012

Greetings Parents and Guardians,

Below you will find the first two turn in dates for the Science Fair.  The students will be receiving their Science Fair Packets with all of the turn-in dates today or tomorrow in class depending on which letter day they have Science.  You will also find a helpful website to use in picking a Science Fair project.

Topic: Students have begun this process in school and have submitted a topic of interest to them. Parents need to sign the last page of this packet to acknowledge that they are aware of the project topic.

DUE ________________________________1/30 to 2/7_____________________________________________

Research:  Students will need to demonstrate that they have identified and researched background information that would help them form a hypothesis.  This information should be organized and placed in a section in their Science Fair Journal.

DUE ______________________week of 2/13_____________________________________________

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

01/10/2011

Homework Assignment for "The Search is On"

All classes need to read the "The Search is On", and complete the following assignment.  This article from Popular Science was handed out in class to the students.

• List the missions in the chronological order in which they are planned.
• Identify where each mission is going.
• Describe in detail what goals are to be accomplished during the mission.
• How does Kepler change our search for life?

12/13/2011

Mechanical Waves Retake quiz is scheduled for:

12/16/2011 for all 8th grade sections  

Unmanned Drone Prompt Response due by Tuesday, 12/20

Take a position for or against the Air Force’s use of unmanned drones.  Defend it or denounce it on an ethical basis, and on a “best use of resources” basis.

Write this paper as if you are trying to persuade Congress for or against the use of unmanned battle aircraft.  Write a minimum of two paragraphs in response to the prompt.

09/21/2011

8-3 needs to complete the Summary and Applying What You've Learned for Investigation 5.  You will find that information here.

1. Summary of Activity
2. In your journal, write a concise summary of this activity.  Be sure to address the following questions, and use your data to support your responses.
3. Where did the energy of the ball go?
4. What energy transformations take place?
5. What energy transfers take place?
6. Where has the original potential energy of the golf ball gone when the ball comes to rest?

Applying What You've Learned

Imagine how much energy would be released if a meteorite struck the earth’s surface and did not bounce.  It would deliver all of its KE at once to a relatively small area on the earth’s surface.

• Where does this kinetic energy go after impact?  How will the transferred energy change the surface of the earth at points nearby and far from the impact point. 

09/14/2011

Homework Assignment:  Investigation 3 must be completed by Friday.  See details below.

09/09/2011

This is information for those of you who want to catch up on Investigation 3.  This investigation has not been assigned as homework, but it will be sometime next week.

Of course, always make sure you have your:

• Purpose/Testable Question
• Hypothesis
• Manipulated & Responding Variables
• Controls