Evaluating Prior Knowledge, Tapping into Math, and All Things In Between

This week is quite the week for reviewing old concepts before learning new ones.  However, before we even get ahead of ourselves we will start the week of with a pretest indicating our current knowledge levels.  Then we will review lab safety as this is one of the most important discussions that we have each year in science.  Then we will use the rest of the week to demonstrate how to measure, convert, and identify the accuracy and precision of our measurements.  

Lab Safety

(c) M. Prince 2012

This year is full of mini-labs, major labs, and cool projects.  Regardless of what we are doing in class, we need to make sure we are behaving in a responsible manner as junior scientists.  This means that safety is  our number one priority! We will participate in small groups discussing various lab safety situations and describe the rules and symbols that should have been followed during the course of the experiment. The lesson will end with everyone receiving their lab safety/permission form to be completed and returned by the scheduled deadline.

Measurements and Conversions

(c) M. Prince 2012

I know, I know, we are probably just cringing at the idea that there is a bit of math involved in physical science.  I can ensure you that the math we use in science this year is in its simplest form.  We will start of by practicing how to use a ruler (that's right I said it), a triple beam balance, and a graduated cylinder. If we really do our best with these basic math skills can you imagine how easier it will be throughout the year?  We won't stop there though! We will practice converting along the metric scale from kilo to milli.  It will be important for everyone to review this video, or this one, and perhaps this one if you are not comfortable with measurements and conversions in class. Then the most challenging part of the lesson is learning about accuracy and precision.  I would recommend this video on accuracy and precision if you need a refresher course in these concepts.  

Well that's all folks (at least for now). See you back in the classroom!