Science Methods - Week 11

Today in lab we did a variety of different stations and made hypothesizes and observations about a variety of different phenomena. I learned about a bunch of different scientific phenomena as well as a new style of activities and how to use fast-activities to get students invested in learning Science.

Will an Ice Cube melt faster in a metal pot or on a wood board?

Hypothesis: The ice cube will melt faster on the wood because the pan insulates and keeps the cubes cold

Observations: The ice melts much faster in the pan

How can I explain what happened?

    The pan also conducts the heat from outside and traps it because of its bowl shape, melting the ice faster.

What questions does this raise?

    Why does it melt faster in the pan but our metal water bottles keep things cold for very long?

What will happen if we submerge a large Coke, a Large Diet coke, a mini-Coke, and a mini-Diet coke in water?

Hypothesis: The smaller sodas will float and the larger ones will sink

Observations: The small sodas for both float and the large diet soda floats, while the large regular soda sinks

    How can I explain what happened?

    The lack of sugar in diet-coke causes it to float, while the lesser sugar in the mini-coke also causes it to float

    What questions does this raise?

        Why does the diet coke float? Why does the smaller large coke float?

What will happen if we pull a soda out of a cooler?

Hypothesis: We will see visible condensation on the can

Observation: There is no visible condensation on the can

How can I explain what happened?

    The air is not hot enough to make condensation

What questions does this raise? 

    Why is there no visible condensation? 

What happens if we mix Vinegar and Baking soda?

Hypothesis: There will be a sizzl-y reaction when they combine

Observation: There is a reaction between the baking soda and vinegar 

How can I explain this?

    The acidity is different between the vinegar and the baking soda and it is enough to cause a violent reaction

What questions does this raise?

    What really causes this? What other elements does this happen between?

What will happen if we submerge each color of M&M in water?

   Hypothesis: All the m&ms will just lose their colors

    Observation: The colors are coming off differently and the colors are not mixing

How can I explain this?

    The specific ingredients on each dye. The Amount of dye on each color.

What questions does this raise?

    Why are they coming off at different rates? Why is there a solid line between them?

What will happen if we try to stick a plunger to the table and then try to stick it to cardboard? 

Hypothesis: I think the plunger will stick to the table but not the cardboard

Observations: The plunger sticks to the table but not the cardboard

How can I explain this?

    The cardboard is less stiff so air can travel in between it and the plunger and interrupt the stick

What questions does this raise?

    Why does the plunger not stick? What else does the plunger not stick to?

I can apply this style of teaching science to my own teaching through the use of a variety of activities. I really enjoyed using short and quick activities that encourage students to think. I still have questions over the variety of phenomena, and how I can come up with a variety of activities and use this style of teaching with my own students.