Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Below I have listed the upcoming curriculum units, vocabulary, and concepts to be covered in class. Please take the time as often as you can to review this information with your scholar.

You know that your scholar is important to us and that we want to provide every opportunity for success.

Thank You,

Ms. Gustavus

Vocabulary

Goggles • Gloves • Apron • Conservation • Disposal •Recycling

• Safety • Emergency • Fire extinguisher

Step 1: State the Problem / Question

Step 2: Research

Step 3: State your Hypothesis (What you think will happen?)

Step 4: Experiment and collect data

Step 5: Analyze data

Step 6: Conclusion (What really happened?)

Variable: Part of the experiment that is being tested (The one thing that is allowed to change in the experiment)

Control: Parts of the experiment that remain the same through each trial of the experiment.

Example:

Problem: Does the height of the ramp affect the distance a marble will travel?

Hypothesis: I believe that the height of the ramp will affect the distance the marble will travel. The higher the ramp will cause the marble to travel farther.

Procedures: Different ramp heights will be set up to roll the marble down. There will be a ramp set with a height of 2 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. The marble will be released down each ramp three times and then the distance the marble travels will be measured and recorded.

Variable: Different ramp heights

Controls: Marble, carpet flooring and the marble will simply be released each time.

• The terms conductor and insulator are used to categorize materials according to their ability to transfer thermal energy. Some materials are good conductors meaning they conduct thermal energy easily, other materials are called insulators and do not conduct thermal energy easily.