Course: Physical Science Grade Level(s): 8th
Content: Unit 1 // Investigation & Experimentation Week: 4
California Academic Content Standards emphasized: 9. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:

a. plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.
b. evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.
e. construct appropriate graphs from data and develop quantitative statements about the relationships between variables.
f. apply simple mathematical relationships to determine one quantity given the other two (including speed = distance/time, density = mass/volume, force = pressure x area, volume=area x height).
g. distinguish between linear and non-linear relationships on a graph of data.
Key Ideas: nature of science scientific method as a way of thinking, variables, recording and graphing data, finding average, working together to solve problems, use of SI or metric units (second, grams), using a triple arm balance and/or electronic balance using Interactive Student Notebooks, writing standard scientific investigation reports.
 

 CLASS MEETING AGENDA/ ACTIVITY

 MEETING 1

 [1] Wrap up the Finding Mass A scientific investigation. Go over answers to assigned questions and review student analysis of results. [2] Handout: STANDARD SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION REPORT FORMAT, Review the handout. [3] Assign Finding Mass: A Scientific Investigation report.

MEETING 2

 [1] Question's & Answers; check progress on setting up and using Interactive Student Science Notebooks, collect the Finding Mass: A Scientific Investigation scientific investigation report. [2] Physical Science Problem Of the Week (PS POW); What they are, how they are to be attacked, how they will be graded. [3] Form 3-4 student study teams/ investigation groups [4] Your first PS POW: Bobo and the M&M Vendors
 

HOME SESSION AGENDA/ ACTIVITY

SESSION 1

 Work on completing the "Metric Measurement Cyber-Scavenger Hunt" to be completed at home or at school if you do not have internet access at home. Read pages 446-451 in F on PS.

SESSION 2

 Write Finding Mass: A Scientific Investigation report.

SESSION 3

 Work on finding a solution to the first PS POW (Bobo and the M&M Vendors) which will be due at the second class meeting of the 5th week.

RESOURCES

REMEMBER to check the FOCUS ON PHYSICAL SCIENCE reading list and keep all INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK ENTRIES current !
PS POW Handout

COMMUNICATIONS

@http://www.avstc.org/aae/SciMat/ps_q_1.html
E-Mail!: mhuffine@avstc.org // MRC C110, Office Hours: 9-12, T-Th 2-4, Phone: 946-5414 ext. 241