Tuesday, April 21st: Introduction to Waves

When you hear the word wave, what do you think of?

Surfers or the beach?

The queen of England waving?

Spectators at a sporting events "doing the wave"?

Did you know that a wave is not matter?  It's not really a "thing".  It's not energy either.  It's the result of energy- it's a disturbance caused by energy.  

Let's learn more about waves! 

Start by watching this brief video:

Imagine if you saw all the waves around you all the time!  It would be overwhelming!

Now,  take some time to read the following text: 

An Introduction to Waves and Their Properties

When you finish reading, go back to the text and number the paragraphs 1-14.

For each paragraph, write one key fact OR one important vocabulary word with its definition.  You may use this note-catcher or create your own.  

Send a picture of your summary to Ms. Dolan.  adolan@hccs481.org or ms.dolans_science

Monday, April 20th: Catch-Up Day!

Today is a Catch-Up Day!

Take today to catch up on any science work.  

If you are not sure what you have to do, send Ms. Dolan an email saying "What am I missing?" (adolan@hccs481.org)

If you are all caught up, please do one (or all) of the following:

1.  Enjoy some sunshine and nature.  Try to notice something in nature you never noticed before.

or

2.  Help a family member with something that could make their day easier.

or

3.  Send a message to a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while.  Say hello and let them know that you miss them and appreciate them.

Friday, April 17th: Nature Journal

If you need more time to complete your Moon Lander Challenge, that is your first priority! 
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If you've finished your moon lander and have sent Ms. Dolan your work,  It's Nature Journal Day!

You can walk through your neighborhood, yard, park, or apartment complex or just find a natural area and sit.  Remember to look for natural (not man-made) objects.

  

Look for as many DIFFERENT COLORS as you can find.

Draw or trace the objects you find. Include a label to identify what each object is, what color it is, and to describe any details you notice.  

You can use this note-catcher or create your own.

Send me your journal entries and, if possible, a picture of you in nature!

adolan@hccs481.org or ms.dolans_science

Wednesday, April 15th: Collision Challenge (2-days)

Collision Challenge

A real-world effect of Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion is collisions.  A collision is a crash.  Sometimes, when two objects hit each other, damage occurs because of the force that both objects give.  Below are examples of different types of collisions:

Car vs. Car	Athlete vs. Athlete

Skateboarder vs. Ground	Human vs. Water

What are some other kinds of collisions that you can think of?

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Moon Landing 

Landing a vehicle on a moon or planet is another type of collision.  This is a type of collision that NASA engineers spend LOTS of time and millions of dollars trying to manage.  When a ship lands on a moon or planet (or back on Earth), the “crash” needs to be gentle.  If not, expensive equipment could get damaged and  crew members could get hurt or even die. 

Today you are going to take on the role of a NASA engineer.  The “crew members” and “equipment” will be modeled by a water balloon.

You must design and build a landing vehicle that can survive a crash without breaking the balloon. 

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Moon Lander Design Challenge Rules:
**You should have gotten water balloons attached to your paper packet at school or in the mail.  If you didn't get them, send me a message ASAP: adolan@hccs481.org. **

The water balloon must be filled with water as full as you can get it without breaking.

You may use any materials that you have at your house.  (Make sure you get parents’ permission first!)

Your “lander” must be dropped from as high as you can safely get it.  At the very least, stand on a chair and lift your arm as high as possible. 

Example:

Thanks to Josh for pioneering this challenge for us as an example!  It look him several attempts. That's ok!  Engineering is all about trial and error, success and failure. 

Trial #1

Trial #2

Trial #3

Trial #4

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What you need to send to Ms. Dolan:

1.  Draw your design.  Label all the materials that you used.

2.  Describe your thinking process.  Be REALLY detailed.  Explain why you chose the materials you did.  Explain why you placed materials where you did.

3. Take a picture or video as you test your design, if possible.

4. Describe what happened when you tested your lander.  Be REALLY descriptive. 

5. Reflect:  Describe what went well.  Describe what didn't go well.  Describe what you would do differently if you were to try a new design. 

Click here for a PDF version of challenge, rules, and recording pages.

YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY TO COMPLETE THIS TASK.

I'll will be sharing photos and videos with the class.  Please let me know if you don't want me to share your photo or video.