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Astronomy and Mathematics

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  A physical science topic I have always enjoyed exploring is the field of astronomy. The relationships and parallels found throughout the solar system provide infinite opportunities for exploration and investigation. Tillery, Enger, and Ross (2019) describe the effect the moon’s gravity has on Earth’s orbit around the sun. Exploring relationships between objects of varying mass and distance can help students better grasp the impact gravity has on motion and location in the solar system and beyond. A variety of factors like these contribute to Earth’s ability to host life as we understand it. Exploring extrasolar planets is an exciting field where scientist explore the potential conditions of a planet based on data discovered through observation and modeling. The possibility of planets having conditions similar to Earth can be determined based on the mass of the planet, its orbital path, proximity to a sun, distance from the sun, and other factors that I am not an expert on. A great fe
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The heat is on!

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               Newton’s Amusement Land introduces the types of heat transfer including  conduction, convection, and radiation.       In this experiment I will be using conduction as the pot will be in direct contact with the flame and the water will be heated through touching the heated surface.       The heat will escape from my glass because the water it meets air around it and is attempting to reach equilibrium. By creating insulation, the heat can be contained longer due to the “small air spaces” (Tillery, Enger, & Ross, 2019, p.86).  The materials used in this experiment include four identical glasses, a tea kettle, four rubber bands, a thermometer, water, and the insulators tinfoil, parchment paper, snack bag, and a washcloth.       Animals in colder habitats are designed to retain heat by having a thick layer of blubber. I predict that the washcloth will minimize the heat transfer as it is a thicker material compared to the other items. I think the parchment paper will caus
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A reflection on friction

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   My daughters and I explored the question How do different surfaces affect the momentum of marbles?  During the experiment, we released the marble with a ramp we built from a marble coaster kit we already had. We tested how the marble would roll across chart paper, a blanket, a yoga mat, and a laminate floor.  Tillery, Enger, and Ross (2019) describe friction as an opposing force that works against the motion of an object. This exploration will directly investigate the impact friction has on the motion of an object. Our results included t he following averages.          laminate floor - 44 inches          chart paper - 32 inches          yoga mat - 5 inches               blanket - 5 ½ inches    I expected the chart paper to be the greatest distance as it was smooth and provided little in the way of obstacles. My laminate floor has cracks and water damage so I expected that would provide more resistance to the marble. The laminate likely had an impact on the paper due to the marble ch
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Scale of the Universe

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https://htwins.net/scale2/ I invite you to view some student samples from our Solar system distance study. Please click the link below to view the powerpoint. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Lv8ibC8rI7OfRlzW_0OrAGiJq9HdxVqituF3PF7hd2o/edit?usp=sharing  
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Ice caps and impacts

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 9. Extended Questions a. What happens if the polar ice caps melt?                According to the United States Geological Survey (2022), if the ice caps were to melt, they would displace the ocean water and cause it to rise enough to cover coastal cities. This would occur due to the volume of water contained in the ice caps which is estimated to be enough to cause water to rise by approximately seventy meters. This would impact ecosystems at coastlines as it would move the coastline significantly inward causing disruptions in reproductive patterns of animals, disruptions to common food sources, and those displaced to the new coastline would be competing with different species that inhabit that area already. Fresh water and estuaries near the coastline would become salinized as well, causing disruption and possible endangerment to species found exclusively in these habitats. Areas below sea level would be submerged, causing coastal cities and towns to no longer be inhabited. b. Wh
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STEM strategies lesson plan

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             Creating the STEM Strategies Lesson Plan was more challenging when attempting to tie a historical perspective in while also using a state standard for the selected grade level. My goal was to incorporate the benchmark, science principles, and a 7th-grade mathematical concept. The 5 E's strategy was helpful as explains the process of building the learning experience (Duran & Duran, 2004). Starting a topic with activation of prior knowledge is a strategy that is consistent with my current lesson design. If I plan an exploration activity, my students require extended time to understand the expectations and to activate critical thinking. Students would likely have a personal connection to the question "What would life be like without certain inventions?" (Buxton & Provenzo, 2011, p.45). This tied in well with the historical perspective of "harnessing power" from Project2061's benchmarks (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2
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Pi Day Approaches...are you ready?

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Featured is my apple lattice pie created with diameter and chords.  The latticework allows the apples to vent the steam as it bakes.  Nobody wants Pi to explode, can you even imagine an infinite explosion? Happy Pi day everyone. 
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