The Particles Unit is taught during 2nd quarter. It includes information on everything from Particle Theory to endothermic & exothermic phase changes. Below I've compiled a list of possible projects or activities. Remember, before you are able to work on any of these projects, you must "test out of" each part of the Particles Unit. Compacting Activities for Particles TheoryChoice 1 - Create a Website that explains the basics of String Theory. This is very open-ended as there are a variety (to say the least) of explanations of String Theory. A great place to start your research online would be a site called Super String Theory Basics. You'll have to develop an idea of what you'll include in your website along with what you'll accomplish each day. To creat a website, you can use any of the free resources out there. I really like google site (like this one), but you could use any other resource you choose, as long as I can get to it:) Not sure how to create a website? Click here for help. Choice 2 - Create a Power Point Presentation that explains the basics of String Theory. This is the same project of choice 1, but instead of a website, you'll make a Power Point Presentation. Save all of your work in your student folder. When you are done, you can turn it in by saving it in my folder. There is no need to print your presentation:) Choice 3 - Not interested in String Theory? Well, what do you want to research that deals with atomic and subatomic particles? There's been a lot of recent news about the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN laboratories. There's also been a lot of talk about dark matter in the scientific community as of late. How about researching either of those topics and presenting your findings in a website or Power Point format? You may also choose another topic, just make sure you check with me first. Choice 4 - The first actual picture of a molecule has been successfully taken! Do some research into the pictures that have been taken. What molecules are they of? Why were those chosen? Who took the picture? What does this mean for science? Why get so excited about a picture being taken? After researching, put together a presentation (powerpoint, website, etc.) all about what you've learned. You can take this topic in many different directions. Be creative! Compacting Activities for DensityChoice 1 - Research both density and buoyancy. Research the general shapes of small and large boats. After spending some time doing a little preliminary research, outline an experiment testing at least 3 different "tinfoil boats" (I have a template you can use to design and conduct your experiment). Decide how to set up the experiment. What are your variables? What will serve as your control? Test your boats and gather your data. Prepare your data in a clear and understandable way. You might choose to create a poster, you might choose to write a lab report. However you decide to communicate your results, make sure you include evidence for your conclusions. Include tables, charts, and graphs to explain your findings. Be ready to present this information! Choice 2 - Density is a difficult concept to fully understand for most people. How would you explain it to someone who was having a hard time grasping the concept? Would you teach them about all the math and focus on the formula for density? Would you give lots of practical examples? Would you have them do experiments? Would you do it all? Pretend that you are asked to teach a 7th grade science class about the basics of density. Put together a two-day lesson plan (don't worry, you don't have to cover everything, just the parts you think are the most important). This lesson plan should introduce to students what density is. If you choose, you may include a lab or a demonstration. It's up to you! Who knows, you might end up teaching your lesson:) Compacting Activities for Phases and Phase ChangesChoice 1 - Phase changes have everything to do with energy changes. Determine which phase changes are endothermic and which are exothermic. Create a comic strip (using a computer or not) that explains each phase change, if they are endothermic or exothermic changes, and what that means. Include examples for each phase change to assist your readers. The science textbook has information on endothermic and exothermic changes if you need help defining those terms. Choice 2 - Water is essential to the survival of humans. After all, we need to drink plenty of water to stay alive! So, what would someone do if there was no water available to drink? Let's say someone was trapped on a deserted island in the middle of who-knows-where with no way of contacting anyone and without water. What could they do? Do some research and find at least three different solutions to the lack-of-drinking-water problem. Put together a brochure (using Publisher) explaining how to survive if ever in that terrible situation. Have fun! |