The Sun moves across the sky at an approximately constant rate because …
The Sun moves across the sky at an approximately constant rate because of the rotation of the Earth. By measuring how fast the Sun moves, you can work out how big the Sun appears in the sky. All you need are some household items and about 30 minutes on a sunny day.
The main aim of this lesson is to show students that distances …
The main aim of this lesson is to show students that distances may be determined without a meter stick—a concept fundamental to such measurements in astronomy. It introduces students to the main concepts behind the first rung of what astronomers call the distance ladder. The four main learning objectives are the following: 1) Explore, in practice, a means of measuring distances without what we most often consider the “direct” means: a meter stick; 2) Understand the limits of a method through the exploration of uncertainties; 3) Understand in the particular method used, the relationship between baseline and the accuracy of the measurement; and 4) Understand the astronomical applications and implications of the method and its limits. Students should be able to use trigonometry and know the relation between trigonometric functions and the triangle. A knowledge of derivatives is also needed to obtain the expression for the uncertainty on the distance measured. Students will need cardboard cut into disks. The number of disks is essentially equal to half the students in the class. Two straight drink straws and one pin per disk. Students will also need a protractor. The lesson should not take more than 50 minutes to complete if the students have the mathematical ability mentioned above. This lesson is complimentary to the BLOSSOMS lesson, "The Parallax Activity." The two lessons could be used sequentially - this one being more advanced - or they could be used separately.
The main aim of this lesson is to show students that distances …
The main aim of this lesson is to show students that distances may be determined without a meter stick—a concept fundamental to such measurements in astronomy. It introduces students to the main concepts behind the first rung of what astronomers call the distance ladder. The four main learning objectives are the following: 1) Explore, in practice, a means of measuring distances without what we most often consider the “direct” means: a meter stick; 2) Understand the limits of a method through the exploration of uncertainties; 3) Understand in the particular method used, the relationship between baseline and the accuracy of the measurement; and 4) Understand the astronomical applications and implications of the method and its limits. Students should be able to use trigonometry and know the relation between trigonometric functions and the triangle. A knowledge of derivatives is also needed to obtain the expression for the uncertainty on the distance measured. Students will need cardboard cut into disks. The number of disks is essentially equal to half the students in the class. Two straight drink straws and one pin per disk. Students will also need a protractor. The lesson should not take more than 50 minutes to complete if the students have the mathematical ability mentioned above. This lesson is complimentary to the BLOSSOMS lesson, "The Parallax Activity." The two lessons could be used sequentially - this one being more advanced - or they could be used separately.
Objective SWBAT examine personal use of energy as measured in kilowatts by …
Objective SWBAT examine personal use of energy as measured in kilowatts by creating a spreadsheet to easily analyze data.
Big Idea How much energy do we really use? Authentic technology integration is supported in the lesson as students create an Excel spreadsheet to analyze data. Students analyze the spreadsheet to determine a personal contribution to climate change.
Students learn how volume, viscosity and slope are factors that affect the …
Students learn how volume, viscosity and slope are factors that affect the surface area that lava covers. Using clear transparency grids and liquid soap, students conduct experiments, make measurements and collect data. They also brainstorm possible solutions to lava flow problems as if they were geochemical engineers, and come to understand how the properties of lava are applicable to other liquids.
Through investigating the nature, sources and level of noise produced in their …
Through investigating the nature, sources and level of noise produced in their environment, students are introduced to the concept of noise pollution. They learn about the undesirable and disturbing effects of noise and the resulting consequences on people's health, as well as on the health of the environment. They use a sound level meter that consists of a sound sensor attached to the LEGO® NXT Intelligent Brick to record the noise level emitted by various sources. They are introduced to engineering concepts such as sensors, decibel (dB) measurements, and sound pressure used to measure the noise level. Students are introduced to impairments resulting from noise exposure such as speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption and reduced productivity. They identify potential noise pollution sources, and based on recorded data, they classify these sources into levels of annoyance. Students also explore the technologies designed by engineers to protect against the harmful effects of noise pollution.
Students learn first-hand the relationship between force, area and pressure. They use …
Students learn first-hand the relationship between force, area and pressure. They use a force sensor built from a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT kit to measure the force required to break through a paper napkin. An interchangeable top at the end of the force sensor enables testing of different-sized areas upon which to apply pressure. Measuring the force, and knowing the area, students compute the pressure. This leads to a concluding discussion on how these concepts are found and used in engineering and nature.
Students calculate the viscosity of various household fluids by measuring the amount …
Students calculate the viscosity of various household fluids by measuring the amount of time it takes marble or steel balls to fall given distances through the liquids. They experience what viscosity means, and also practice using algebra and unit conversions.
" Here we will learn about the mechanical behavior of structures and …
" Here we will learn about the mechanical behavior of structures and materials, from the continuum description of properties to the atomistic and molecular mechanisms that confer those properties to all materials. We will cover elastic and plastic deformation, creep, fracture and fatigue of materials including crystalline and amorphous metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and (bio)polymers, and will focus on the design and processing of materials from the atomic to the macroscale to achieve desired mechanical behavior. We will cover special topics in mechanical behavior for material systems of your choice, with reference to current research and publications."
A survey of the mechanical behavior of rocks in natural geologic situations. …
A survey of the mechanical behavior of rocks in natural geologic situations. Topics: brief survey of field evidence of rock deformation, physics of plastic deformation in minerals, brittle fracture and sliding, and pressure-solution processes. Results of field petrologic and structural studies compared to data from experimental structural geology.
Introduction to statics and the mechanics of deformable solids. Emphasis on the …
Introduction to statics and the mechanics of deformable solids. Emphasis on the three basic principles of equilibrium, geometric compatibility, and material behavior. Stress and its relation to force and moment; strain and its relation to displacement; linear elasticity with thermal expansion. Failure modes. Application to simple engineering structures such as rods, shafts, beams, and trusses. Application to design. Introduction to material selection. This course provides an introduction to the mechanics of solids with applications to science and engineering. We emphasize the three essential features of all mechanics analyses, namely: (a) the geometry of the motion and/or deformation of the structure, and conditions of geometric fit, (b) the forces on and within structures and assemblages; and (c) the physical aspects of the structural system (including material properties) which quantify relations between the forces and motions/deformation.
After conducting the associated activity, students are introduced to the material behavior …
After conducting the associated activity, students are introduced to the material behavior of elastic solids. Engineering stress and strain are defined and their importance in designing devices and systems is explained. How engineers measure, calculate and interpret properties of elastic materials is addressed. Students calculate stress, strain and modulus of elasticity, and learn about the typical engineering stress-strain diagram (graph) of an elastic material.
Molecular-level engineering and analysis of chemical processes. Use of chemical bonding, reactivity, …
Molecular-level engineering and analysis of chemical processes. Use of chemical bonding, reactivity, and other key concepts in the design and tailoring of organic systems. Application and development of structure-property relationships. Descriptions of the chemical forces and structural factors that govern supramolecular and interfacial phenomena for molecular and polymeric systems. This course is an advanced subject in fluid and continuum mechanics. The course content includes kinematics, macroscopic balances for linear and angular momentum, stress tensors, creeping flows and the lubrication approximation, the boundary layer approximation, linear stability theory, and some simple turbulent flows.
Laboratory or field work in earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. To be …
Laboratory or field work in earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. To be arranged with department faculty. Consult with department Education Office. This course introduces students to the basic concepts of Medical Geology/Geochemistry. Medical Geology/Geochemistry is the study of the interaction between abundances of elements and isotopes and the health of humans and plants.
Converting a visual to a tactile experience, this activity lets visually impaired …
Converting a visual to a tactile experience, this activity lets visually impaired students learn about and explore some of the characteristics of our home planet, the Earth.
Converting the visual to tactile experience, this activity let visually impaired students …
Converting the visual to tactile experience, this activity let visually impaired students to learn and explore about our star, Sun, and its main characteristics.
Students will experimentally learn how meteoroids are formed. They will melt a …
Students will experimentally learn how meteoroids are formed. They will melt a comet, learning about its composition, and break apart asteroids. The students learn the differences between meteoroids, meteors and meteorites and how the impact of asteroids/meteoroids can affect life on Earth.
Remote Learning Lesson 1: Asking Questions - People are often puzzled by …
Remote Learning Lesson 1: Asking Questions - People are often puzzled by events that occur in their surroundings. Some of these are natural events that are puzzling or interesting. Others are problems that people have to deal with. People often will ask questions to try to understand the events around them and to solve problems that people face. In this lesson, your task is to figure out how to ask questions that can help you understand the world and solve problems.
Remote Learning Lesson 2: Computational Thinking - Students are introduced to Taylor, who needs help to make her morning routine more efficient so that she does not continue to get stuck having to wash the dishes. Students use an algorithm to map out Taylor’s morning routine and calculate the distance she travels. Students then revise Taylor’s algorithm to reduce the distance she travels each morning.
Remote Learning Lesson 3: Obtaining Information - Volcanologists (scientists who study volcanoes) around the world are tasked with monitoring volcanoes and making predictions about when they might erupt to try to protect communities. This is no easy job! Volcanoes can be tricky, and no two volcanoes always behave the same way -- even the same volcano can have very different activity! Your task is to analyze information from different types of volcano monitoring and, based on your analysis, communicate a more reliable way to predict eruptions.
Remote Learning Lesson 6: Constructing Explanations- Many animals in very cold climates have thick coats of fur to help keep them warm, but some have hardly any fur at all! You will conduct an experiment to collect data about how layers of fat help animals stay warm in cold water for long periods of time. You will use your experimental results as evidence and use reasoning to construct a scientific explanation for how animals with little or no fur can stay warm in very cold environments.
Remote Learning Lesson 8: Data Analysis - A community cleanup project near your school has found a lot of trash! Some people think that most of the trash is coming from the middle school, which has been communicated to the mayor. There are plans to bring this up at the next city council meeting. Your mission is to analyze the trash data, determine if the evidence supports or refutes the middle school as the main source. You need to learn how to analyze large amounts of data, and the best ways to present that information. You need to communicate your findings in a way that will convince anyone who is at fault.
If your student(s) are doing a unit study on Michigan, this is …
If your student(s) are doing a unit study on Michigan, this is a fun little activity using state facts. You'll find the two largest cities, state capital, official state symbols, tourist sites, historical references, and products the state is known for. DETROIT GRAND RAPIDS LANSING TRAVERSE CIT...
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