Physical Science Team Notes
Meeting 4/12/01
Present: Cody, Balfe, Fleming, Koistinen

Density and Buoyancy Unit:
Carol shared a nice outline that followed the Learning Cycle model. It meshed well with elements of Anthony's Heavy Ice sequence. We modified it slightly to arrive at this sequence:

Engage: Demo with ice in different liquids
Explore 1: FOSS measurement kit gram weights in salt water, fresh water and then alcohol.
Explore 2: What is Volume ­ Fluffy vs. Non-fluffy, measuring volume.
Investigate 1: Density of Different Liquids, including graphing mass vs volume
Investigate 2: Density of Solid Objects, including calculation of the volume of a cylinder
Investigate 3: Density of Elements, leading to the introduction of the Periodic Table
Applications: Cartesian Divers open-ended investigation, atom models

Carol agreed to prepare teacher and student materials for Fluffy ­ Non-fluffy, and investigate the creation of models for substances of varying densities. Anthony will prepare the Cartesian Diver inquiry lesson and polish up some of the Heavy Ice lesson materials. Dan will work on expanding the math component of the graphing of the liquids. We will have materials ready to share at the meeting on Wednesday, April 25.

Materials for Density and Buoyancy

Large (36" x 48") Graph Pad
Density kits; Two types, one all metal, one mixed. Ten of each.
Graduated Cylinders
Cartesian Diver kits
Packing Peanuts
Cotton balls
25 pounds of salt
Sand
Lead, copper, plastic, glass and Styrofoam beads/shot.

Please send ideas and feedback to the list.

Bace modified it slightly to arrive at this sequence:

Engage: Demo with ice in different liquids
Explore 1: FOSS measurement kit gram weights in salt water, fresh water and then alcohol.
Explore 2: What is Volume ­ Fluffy vs. Non-fluffy, measuring volume.
Investigate 1: Density of Different Liquids, including graphing mass vs volume
Investigate 2: Density of Solid Objects, including calculation of the volume of a cylinder
Investigate 3: Density of Elements, leading to the introduction of the Periodic Table
Applications: Cartesian Divers open-ended investigation, atom models

Carol agreed to prepare teacher and student materials for Fluffy ­ Non-fluffy, and investigate the creation of models for substances of varying densities. Anthony will prepare the Cartesian Diver inquiry lesson and polish up some of the Heavy Ice lesson materials. Dan will work on expanding the math component of the graphing of the liquids. We will have materials ready to share at the meeting on Wednesday, April 25.

Materials for Density and Buoyancy

Large (36" x 48") Graph Pad
Density kits; Two types, one all metal, one mixed. Ten of each.
Graduated Cylinders
Cartesian Diver kits
Packing Peanuts
Cotton balls
25 pounds of salt
Sand
Lead, copper, plastic, glass and Styrofoam beads/shot.

Please send ideas and feedback to the list.

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