Please let us know whether you WILL or WILL NOT be attending tomorrow's SOLAR CAR BUILDING LAB.
Also let us know if one of your parents will also be attending.
And lastly, if you still have magnets from the homework experiments, please return them right away -- Ms. Hiss is crying for her lost magnets!!!
Thank you !!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Solar Collection Experiment
In today's experiment, you collected water in containers with black or white bottoms, with or with out a lid.
What is your prediction about how the temperature of the water will be effected? (write your predictions)
How did the actual results of the experiment differ from your initial predictions?
What is your prediction about how the temperature of the water will be effected? (write your predictions)
How did the actual results of the experiment differ from your initial predictions?
Solar Energy: Show us you know!
Over the past few weeks in Ms. Hiss' groups, your group has been participating in a variety of experiments related to the production of electricity from solar energy.
We want you to think about what you have experienced and learned so far.
Consider these questions:
What's the connection between the experiments you've been doing in Ms. Hiss' group and the production of solar energy?
What is moving? How fast is it moving?
What is the relationship between heat and the movement of electrons? How is this related to the energy from the sun?
We want you to think about what you have experienced and learned so far.
Consider these questions:
What's the connection between the experiments you've been doing in Ms. Hiss' group and the production of solar energy?
What is moving? How fast is it moving?
What is the relationship between heat and the movement of electrons? How is this related to the energy from the sun?
History of Solar Energy Use
Over the past several weeks, you have been learning more about the ways in which humans have used solar energy to make their lives easier. When your group spent time with Ms. Atkins, you worked to create a Solar Energy timeline, that described events and advancements in the use of solar energy from ancient times until today.
Take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing things that you learned.
What information surprised you? Why?
What new information did you learn?
What questions do you still have?
What would you like to learn next?
Take a moment to post your thoughts in response in the blog.
Take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing things that you learned.
What information surprised you? Why?
What new information did you learn?
What questions do you still have?
What would you like to learn next?
Take a moment to post your thoughts in response in the blog.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Archimedes Death Ray... Fact or Fiction??
Sadly.... today in MASTERS there was no sun!!! That means Ms. Betts' magnifying glass group was out of luck and could not do their amazing paper burning experiments!!
However, we had an interesting time trying to ignite paper using a halogen lamp. Though no paper actually burned, we discovered that we need a more powerful bulb (at least 100 watts), and a clear casing (not a diffused surface). I guess its back to the drawing board!
Students were encouraged to wait for some sun, and try the experiments again.
Even though the sun abandoned us, we had fun watching a really cool video on "Archimedes' Death Ray." History tells us that during the Punic wars, a famous scientist (Archimedes) used a giant mirror to burn holes in the attacking Roman ships. Many historians think this story is a myth, that it couldn't really happen. But, some professors and students at MIT decided to find out.
Click on the link below to watch a video demonstration of their experiments with "Archimedes' Death Ray." Feel free to post your comments about the video in response to this entry!
http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www//experiments/deathray/10_archimedesMovies/dailyPlanetMedium.mov
Maybe you can answer the question... is Archimedes' Death Ray-- fact? or fiction?
However, we had an interesting time trying to ignite paper using a halogen lamp. Though no paper actually burned, we discovered that we need a more powerful bulb (at least 100 watts), and a clear casing (not a diffused surface). I guess its back to the drawing board!
Students were encouraged to wait for some sun, and try the experiments again.
Even though the sun abandoned us, we had fun watching a really cool video on "Archimedes' Death Ray." History tells us that during the Punic wars, a famous scientist (Archimedes) used a giant mirror to burn holes in the attacking Roman ships. Many historians think this story is a myth, that it couldn't really happen. But, some professors and students at MIT decided to find out.
Click on the link below to watch a video demonstration of their experiments with "Archimedes' Death Ray." Feel free to post your comments about the video in response to this entry!
http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www//experiments/deathray/10_archimedesMovies/dailyPlanetMedium.mov
Maybe you can answer the question... is Archimedes' Death Ray-- fact? or fiction?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
How do Solar Cars work?
The last activity you were assigned for homework this week was to research how a solar car works. You have seen how the heat of the sun's rays can burn a hole through paper (and in some cases the wooden clip board!). But how does it make a car go? What has to happen before the sun's energy can be used to move a vehicle?
Click the comment button below, and post your ideas based on your research.
Click the comment button below, and post your ideas based on your research.
Compass Activity
One of the activities you were assigned for homework required you to try some experiments with a compass. Please click the comment button below and post your answers to the questions at the bottom of the activity handout.
Static Electricity
One of the activities you were assigned for homework had to do with static electricity. Please click the comment button below and post your answers to the questions at the bottom of the activity handout.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
What is Solar Energy?
Today you began to understand more about how the sun works, and how humans use the sun's rays to create energy. Though your journey is just beginning, you already know more about solar energy than you think!
Today's activities were varied, and each group participated in a different experience. Some of you learned how Helium and Hydrogen (the elements that make up the sun) interact to create heat. Others learned how to convert the sun's rays into heat energy with a magnifying glass. Still others worked on a timeline that chronicles the ways in which humans have used and benefitted from solar energy since the ancient times. But no matter which experience your group was part of, you were learning important things about solar energy!
Based on your experiences today, respond to this blog with some of the information you have learned. Use the following questions to guide your response. Be sure to answer each question completely.
What are some things you understand so far about solar energy?
What are some questions you still might have?
What are some connections have you made?
As we move through this unit on solar energy, we will be using your understandings, questions, and connections to guide us!
Today's activities were varied, and each group participated in a different experience. Some of you learned how Helium and Hydrogen (the elements that make up the sun) interact to create heat. Others learned how to convert the sun's rays into heat energy with a magnifying glass. Still others worked on a timeline that chronicles the ways in which humans have used and benefitted from solar energy since the ancient times. But no matter which experience your group was part of, you were learning important things about solar energy!
Based on your experiences today, respond to this blog with some of the information you have learned. Use the following questions to guide your response. Be sure to answer each question completely.
What are some things you understand so far about solar energy?
What are some questions you still might have?
What are some connections have you made?
As we move through this unit on solar energy, we will be using your understandings, questions, and connections to guide us!
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