pH Testing

pH Testing Lab

To Start:

Directions:

1. Carefully place the items in the bag on your desk.
2. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.

Observations:

Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Draw a diagram of the test tubes.  
4. Label each test tube. 
5. Dip a strip of pH paper into each tube. Place the pH paper next to the test tube.
6. Use colored pencils to show color that is visible.
7. Use this site to identify pH level: http://www.docbrown.info/page03/AcidsBasesSalts02.htm
8. Skip a few lines, then write "Observations".
9. Write down your observations, any notes you want to take.
10. Skip a few lines, then write "Reflections".

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. What happened with each test?
2. How does pH paper work? http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4923429_ph-paper-work.html
3. Which liquids were more acidic? more basic?
4. What kind of experiment could you create using pH paper? Write down your ideas.

Microscopic Study

(slides of plants, insects, bacteria, sea life, butterfly parts, tiny creatures in one set.... and more....)

To Start:

Directions:

1. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.
2. Gather items and place on your desk or near microscope area.

Observations:
Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Use circle template to draw circles in spiral in a neat, organized manner. 
4. Select slides to view through microscope.
5. Draw and label the parts. (http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-microscope1.htm)
6. Label the slide under the circle.
7. Repeat for as many slides you would like to view (at least 10, and at least one from each selection).

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. How does viewing insects and small creatures through a microscope different that just looking at them?
2. Why is using a microscope important?
3. How does a microscope work? (http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-microscope1.htm)
4. What kind of experiment could you create using the microscope? What could you compare/contrast, for instance. (Please provide ideas other than look at things to see them up close.)

Compass Activities

Compass Activities Lab

To Start:

Directions:

1. Take the compass, magnets and other items and place them on the desk.
2. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.

Observations:
Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Draw a diagram of the compass.
4. Label the parts (needle, North, South, East, West). 
5. Skip a few lines, then write "Observations".
6. Move the magnet around the compass.
7. What happened?
8. Write down your observations, any notes you want to take.
9. Explore with the compass and other items in the bag.. Is there another you way you make it show the same response?
10. Skip a few lines, then write "Reflections".

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. What happened in each 'experiment' ?
2. Why is this happening? (to find out, go to: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/compass.htm)
3. What kind of experiment could you create using the compass? Write down your ideas.

Catapult

Catapult Lab

To Start:

Directions:

1. Carefully place the items in the bag on your desk.
2. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.

Observations:

Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Draw a diagram of the catapult.  
4. Label the parts (as best as you can using this diagram) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfLMsvIFdD_hUzETb3s6hzvhGfuuFl3DADeywGyHBn9h3JIuBJN-wF1727Nf5XKJeEzn7rHmBnZvCSEQu6kLHAYX_kmXzxpwJ-95ECoJ_vtI0JTpz8LEYZWgiX5V2h0z3qwri7YCHcpCU/s1600/physics_catapult_4.png
5. Use cotton ball and launch. 
6. Use protractor to measure angle of the catapult arm in relation to the base/table top http://sierra.nmsu.edu/morandi/CourseMaterials/graphics/MeasuringAngles.gif
7. Skip a few lines, then write "Observations".
8. Write down your observations (how far the cotton ball travels with various angel measurements), and any other notes you want to take.
9. Skip a few lines, then write "Reflections".

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. What happened with each catapult launch?
2. Did the degree of the angle have anything to do with the distance of the launch? What did you notice?
3. How does this catapult work? (use related science words such as: force, launch, push, release, propel, distance, weight)
4. What kind of experiment could you create using a catapult? Write down your ideas.

Critter Study

(acrylic critters)

To Start:

Directions:

1. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.
2. Gather items and place on your desk.

Observations:
Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Examine the critters in acrylic. 
4. Use hand-held magnifying glass to look closer.
5. Try to identify the animals.  Use this site: http://insectidentification.org  to try to identify the critters. 
6. Draw and label the parts.  Use this site to help you with some of the animal parts: (http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-anatomy.asp)
7. Do you think all of the critters are insects?  Guess what? They aren't.  In your spiral write these three headings:  Arachnid, Insect, and Crustacean.  Write the numbers of the critters under the heading you think they belong.
8. Check your work:  11-cricket, 2-locust, 3-yellow leaf beetle, 14-crab, 1-scorpian, 12-giant ant, 13-wasp, 6-flower bug.  Now that you know the critter names, do you need to move any of your critters into a different section?
9. 
   

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. How does viewing insects and small creatures with a hand lens different that just looking at them?
2. Why is study insects and other small animals important?  http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/radicalbugs/default.php?page=importance_of_insects
3. Compare/contrast insects, crustaceans and arachnids. Make a Venn digram using 3 circles. Use this source: http://rwtinteractives.ncte.org/view_interactive.aspx?id=28
4. What kind of experiment could you create using small critters, these critters in the acrylic? What could you compare/contrast, for instance. (Please provide ideas other than look at things to see them up close.)

Reflections....

(purple reflector)

Purple Reflector Lab

To Start:
Directions:

1. Carefully place the items in the bag on your desk.
2. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.

Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Draw a picture of the purple reflector.  
4. Use the shapes to make a larger shape of choice. 
5. Place the reflector on the side of the picture.
6. Place a piece of paper to the other side of the reflector. You should see a reflection of the picture on the paper. 
7. Draw the picture you see.
8. Skip a few lines, then write "Observations".
9. Write down your observations, any notes you want to take.
10. Skip a few lines, then write "Reflections".

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. What are you drawing when you draw the picture that is reflecting on the plastic?
2. Rate the level of difficulty of drawing the reflective picture on to the paper.
3. What kind of experiment could you create using reflective geo-mirror? Write down your ideas.

Slinky Science

Slinky Science

Slinky Science Lab

To Start:

Directions:

1. Take the Slinkies out of the box and place it on the desk. 
2. Gather 8-10 thick books (such as Internet Linked Encyclopedias)
3. Make sure you have your spiral and a pencil.

Observations:
Directions:

1. Write your name and date in top right corner.
2. Write the title centered on the top line.
3. Stack the books so that you have steps for the Slinkies to go down.
4. Draw a diagram of the set up.
5. Label the parts. 
6. Skip a few lines, then write "Observations".
7. Have slinkies go down the steps. You may need to push them to get started.
8. Try all of the different sized slinkies. 
9. What happened?
10. Write down your observations, any notes you want to take.
11. Explore and write observations. 
12. Skip a few lines, then write "Reflections".

Reflections:
Directions:  Now, respond to these prompts IN DEPTH. Please use details. Refrain from using the words IT, THEY, GOES, VERY, STUFF, etc.  Each answer should have at least two detailed sentences. 

1. What happened in each 'experiment' ?
2. Why is this happening? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-slinky/    AND/OR    http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/slinkyinhand/
3. What kind of experiment could you create using the different sized Slinkies? Write down your ideas.