View this Bozeman Science Video - Developing and Using Models

Think about a question that you have about materials in your home. How could develop a model that helps you explain a phenomenon that you are observing?

For example:

• • What is the product life of something that you eat? Where does it come from, how does it get to you? How do you prepare it? What happens to the food when you are done eating it? How do you dispose of it if you do not eat all of it?

  • How would you model the way your day is structured? Do you have certain times when you do specific tasks? Do you have specific places where you sleep, work, and play?

  • What materials do you interact with during the day? How do you organize them?

You can now choose to learn more about a related topic by researching it on your own.

Use this Chemistry of Materials Investigation Sheet as a guide, if you like.

Introduce elements and compounds with this song They might be Giants - Meet the elements.

You can view some of these videos to learn more about atoms, compounds, mixtures, and the periodic table.

• What is an atom and how do we know?

• What are atoms made of?

• Just how small is an atom?

• Elements versus Compounds

• What is a molecule?

• The science of macaroni salad: What is in a mixture?

• Pure substances and Mixtures

You can use this PhET simulation to build atoms. This lesson was broken into 2 parts.

• PhET build an atom - Link to simulation

• Link to Build an Atom student worksheet - Part 1

You can use this PhET simulation to build atoms. This lesson was broken into 2 parts.

• PhET build an atom - Link to simulation

• Link to Build an Atom student worksheet - Part 2

The Challenge - Find a live animal and observe its characteristics (color, shape, size, etc.). Write about or draw what you notice and any questions you are wondering about what you see why does it look the way it does? What characteristics are helpful?

Materials

• A live animal to observe (try collecting a worm, ant, snail, or other bug from your yard or a nearby park)

• Drawing materials

• Magnifying glass (optional)

More ideas

Compare and contrast your observations and what you notice and wonder.

Try to find answers to the questions you are wondering about

• http://www.nwf.org/natureguides

• http://www.insectidentification.org.

• http://www.backyardnature.net/insectid.htm

• http://www.bugfacts.net/insects/php