Science Textbook Review

The Teach Science and Math blog has published a review of some science textbooks here.

Collisions Video

Excellent video that clearly shows the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions.

WATCH HERE!

Great Java Simulations for Science Class!

The University of Colorado Boulder has a fabulous site for interactive science simulations.

In one of my favorite simulations, you can create a circuit using light bulbs, wires, resistors, batteries, etc. as well as household items such as a dollar bill and a paper clip. When the circuit works, the light bulbs light...the more resistance, the dimmer the lights.

Loads of other great simulations HERE!

Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment

A friend showed me a fabulous lesson plan to teach about Ernest Rutherford, his atomic model, and his gold foil experiment.

She began the lesson by playing a game to help students estimate the size of something they can't see. Inside a large box (the cave), she placed a can (the monster) and cut slits out of the bottom of the box so students could slide checker pieces through. Analogous with Rutherford's gold foil experiment, most checker pieces slide straight through while some bounce off the "monster" at small angles and others bounce backwards. This is to help students understand how Rutherford determined the nucleus of an atom must me massive and dense.

Then, she showed the animation found on this website that explains Rutherford's experiment. A great way to discuss the atomic models!!

Physical Sciences Resource Center

Great website for teacher resources relating to the Physical Sciences: http://www.compadre.org/psrc/

What I'm Watching Online: The Magic School Bus!

A friend just referred me to this website: watchhomeschooltv.com where you can watch all the Magic School Bus episodes for free!!

Right now I'm watching "Magic School Bus #31: Gets a Bright Idea" for a unit plan based on light and optics!

More Science Games

Just found a great website with all sorts of online science games and "adventures". The site also includes online and offline science experiments!!!

Check it out HERE!

Physics Games: Bubble Quod

I was browsing some internet games this evening and found this game. Great for discussions on momentum, center of mass, and basic mechanics!! The object of the game is to move your bubble up and over obstacles, ramps, and levers to the rusty nail in order to pop the balloon!

Bubble Quod

Reasonably Priced Laser Pointers

I was browsing the internet dreaming of getting a shiny laser pointer :o)

What I stumbled upon made me think about getting one now!!!

Amazon.com's listing of laser pointers is incredible (can be found HERE). I was most impressed that the green lasers, which are usually priced in the hundreds of dollars range due to the expense of manufacturing them, were between $30 and $50!!!

If you're in the market for a laser pointer, check out Amazon.com!!

**Lesson ideas for laser pointers coming soon!

National Science Teachers Association

Here's the link for the National Science Teachers Association.

This website is great for resources. They have up to date articles on science and education in the U.S. as well as a comprehensive bookstore which includes some free resources!

Roller Coaster Physics

I found this website awhile back and can't believe I forgot to share it!

Amusement Park Physics: What Are The Forces Behind The Fun?

The Roller Coaster activity is a lot of fun. I used this first with some of my peers in Graduate School and they loved it :o)

The gist of the activity is your students (or your whole class) choose from different selections for the different parts of the roller coaster: hills, drops, loops, etc.

Try it out!

Celebrating a Year of Science (2008)

Science magazine had named the top ten scientific breakthroughs of 2008. The Breakthrough of the Year had to do with reprogramming cells, while many runners-up were in the physical sciences. I found this information on the magazine's website www.sciencemag.org, but was unable to view all of the full text articles since I do not have a membership. I am sure they could be found using magazine and journal search engines.

One of the editors has also written a short article about some scientific highlights of the year: Highlights

U. of Alabama Interactive Science Games

The University of Alabama has a site full of Physical Science related games. They are mostly classification related, but could be a great tool to supplement learning!

University of Alabama Arcade of Science Games

Seeing Sounds

If you've never seen this demonstration, it's incredible.

This is called a Chladni Plate. Originally, a man named John Tyndall found that the different frequencies at different pitches caused different patterns of sand to emerged. His patterns (seen HERE) look much different than the video because he used a bow against the side of a plate and created nodes with his fingers. Modern Chladni plates work due to a motor attached at the middle of the plate (the node) and a speaker that plays the different pitches.

For directions on how to make a Chladni Plate, google "How To Build A Chladni Plate". There are many great resources!

Single Wave Pulse Videos

As I was trying to create an assignment regarding transverse and longitudinal waves the other day, I stumbled upon these videos of a single wave pulse. The anatomy of the waves are very clear and, I suspect, a great teaching tool!

Transverse Wave

Longitudinal Wave

The Color of Light

I saw a great demonstration the other day in class about the color of light. It is similar to a lesson plan found at: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/teachersite/UL1.htm

To begin, my classmates drew two venn diagrams. One had the colors of paint (red, yellow, and blue) and the other had the colors of light (red, green, and blue). We guessed which colors created which new colors (orange, green, purple and yellow, cyan, and magenta, respectively).

Next, they turned on three light bulbs (a red, green, and blue one). All other sources of light was covered and a large white projection screen was against one wall. One classmate put a meter stick in the way of the light and in front of the screen. It was amazing to see the meter stick separated the light into yellow, cyan, and magenta. Then the light bulbs were turned off one at a time. When the red light bulb was turned off, the background of the screen was cyan, while green and blue were separated by the meter stick. Similar results occurred when the green and blue light bulbs were turned off. 

It was just amazing!! Try it at home if you don't believe it :o)

Phase Change Graph

As you may have experienced yourself, creating graphics in Microsoft Word is a huge pain! However, I've created this phase change graph for the phase changes of water. Enjoy!

Excellent Physical Science Book

I was given the Teacher's Edition of this book as a graduation present and it is EXCELLENT!!

The diagrams are really useful and there are many types of assessment questions at the end of every chapter. It has a wide range of Physical Science topics that are very approachable for students.

If you get the chance, check it out!

An Introduction to Physical Science by Shipman, Wilson, Todd.