Big Idea 1 Introduction To Science
Introduction to Science and the Universe View
As an introduction to science as a class, it's important to discuss the meaning and purpose of science. In addition, it's important to know the overall view or scope of the science course.
Chemistry Lab Equipment
Before participating in lab, students must pass two tests. The first of these tests is the Lab Equipment Test. For this test, students must identify lab equipment from a set of 20 samples. A score of 16/20 or 80% is required to move on to lab work in Chemistry class. Retakes are available until a student achieves 80%.
A list of equipment and review videos are shown in this section.
Chemistry Lab Safety
The second required test in order to work in the chemistry lab is a safety rule test. We discuss the rules in class, then students are tested on those safety situations. A score of 100% is required in order to work in lab. Three multiple choice attempts are available for the safety test. The fourth attempt at a 100% score is an essay test.
The lab safety rules are shown to the right -->
LabSafetyRules.pdf
Lab Goggles!
Lab goggles are required for students to participate in chemistry labs. These goggles must meet specific requirements to be used in lab. Anytime fire, glassware, or chemicals are used in the lab setting, student goggles must be worn at all times. Students will receive one warning for removing goggles during lab - a secondary infraction will result in the student being asked to leave the lab.
What I asked for...
Combat Med Kit - CAT Tourniquet, QuikClot, Israeli Bandage, Chest Seal, Burn Dressing, Trauma Shears, CPR Rescue Mask
What I got...
Band-Aids...
LESSON TO LEARN - DON'T GET HURT BECAUSE ALL I HAVE IS BAND-AIDS!
This is the point in the unit where the first two tests are due:
- Safety Test (must be passed at 100% - the first two attempts are multiple choice and the third attempt is essay)
- Equipment Test (must be passed at 80% - attempts are repeated until 80% is reached)
Science Spreadsheets
A common tool used in science is the spreadsheet. This tool allows us to easily assess average, standard deviation, LAL and UAL for numeric data sets.
A tutorial for spreadsheets is shown here -->
Setting Up A Science Spreadsheet - Google Sheets.webm
Skeptical Questions In Science
The skeptical question topic for this unit is vaccines. Skeptical questions are thoughtful "Why-based" questions which address biases in scientific material. This type of question is not seeking scientific facts.
The article associated with this unit is listed below:
Scale of the Universe
Both of these links discuss the scale of how large (and small) our universe is. The link to the left requires Adobe Flash Player. If you do not have that application, just google "scale of the universe", and you'll find links to the same application that don't require Flash Player. The link to the right is a lengthier set of videos from Khan Academy.
The link below will also take you to the Scale of the Universe tool. You need to launch the tool and choose "English" as a language.
Measurement - Scale, Ratio, and the Metric System
In science courses, our system of measurement is the metric or SI system. Unfortunately, most students have a limited view of the metric system using the prefixes from "kilo" to "milli" with the base units of meters, grams, and liters.
For Chemistry, we need to go much farther than that. Our base units are listed to the right, while our prefix range is listed below.
Measurement References
Students often come into high school science courses with misconceptions regarding measurement. These misconceptions typically involve errors in equipment use, or more importantly lack of concept development involving accuracy and precision in science measurement. The following references are useful in beginning to address some of these problems.
MEASURING THE RIGHT WAY (SF).docxMeasuring the Right Way Answers.pdf
Measurement Reliability in Science
All measurements in science must pass through the gate of a simple question - "Is this measurement RELIABLE?" Reliability in science measurement falls under two categories:
Accuracy - Accuracy addresses how close a measurement is to a standard, control, or "right answer". In order to have accuracy, there must be a comparable measurement. Accuracy is typically measured by "% error"
Precision - Precision defines a measurement in terms of the equipment used and adjusts that measurement accordingly. Precision adjustments are made based on equipment scales and significant figure rules.
Accuracy vs Precision
The differences in accuracy and precision are best understood graphically. These representations tend to involve "shots and targets" or "probability density graphs". To begin with, the "shots and targets" approach is useful. The probability graph becomes most useful later in the Electron Behavior Unit.
% Error and Significant Figures
Using % error to measure accuracy merely involves a simple math calculation. Determining precision with significant figures includes using a set of sig fig rules along with guidelines for addition/subtraction and multiplication/division
Sig Fig Practice Problems and Answers
Sig Fig Practice Problems.docxSig Fig Practice AnswersMarble Quality Measurement Full Lab Report
The full lab for this unit involves applying measurement reliability principles to the measurement of product quality - namely, "How effective are manufacturers at making exactly the same product every time?" The "products" for this lab are mass-produced marbles.
Scientific Writing
As we progress through the lab report writing process, it's important to consider this is scientific writing. This type of writing utilizes the following rules:
Write what needs to be written in the SIMPLEST way possible.
Avoid unnecessary qualifiers on ambiguous descriptors (sort of good, really good, kind of good, not so good, etc.).
Speaking is speaking; writing is writing. The two forms of communication follow separate rules. Keep them separate!
Vernier Caliper Use
In order to complete the measurements for this lab, students must be able to use both a meterstick and a dial vernier caliper. Students are usually familiar with the meterstick, but dial calipers are only familiar to some students who have taken shop courses. The following videos provide simple explanations for the calipers used in lab.
"Learning To Learn (L2L)" and Retrieval Assignment List (REQUIRED BEFORE UNIT GRADED TEST)
Learning to Learn and Retrieval List
Intro Lab ("How Good Are My Measurements?")
Practice (Sig Fig Calculations, Calibration Quiz)
80% Quiz 1 (Equipment Quiz and Safety Test replace Quiz #1)
80% Quiz 2
Study Reflection on the back of Quiz #2