Sept 27-30: Big Bang!!!

We've been focusing on the Big Bang this week.

Monday - Finished Part 1 of Steven Hawking's Universe which talked about the evidence for the Big Bang and wrapped up how our theories of the creation of the universe have changed over time because of improvements in technology.

Tuesday - We read the textbook yay!!! Students read a couple pages about the current evidence for the Big Bang, specifically red shifting of stars and galaxies and cosmic microwave background radiation. After reading, they made a "mini-poster" on the back of their paper to illustrate what they learned.

Wednesday - Students attended a presentation by a banker in preparation for reality town which will be held next Tuesday. They learned how to write checks and hopefully learned a lot about credit, debt, and how to handle money.

Thursday - Quiz time again! This quiz will cover red/blue shift, Big Bang, past theories, and technology. Should be fabulous!

Friday - NOOOO SCHOOOOL!!! It's teacher comp day because of student led conferences (Wed & Thurs evenings). Enjoy your day off!

Extra Credit: Post a comment explaining what this picture is all about.

News Article Link for Doppler Effect HW

Click on the title below for a link to the news article you must read to complete the homework.

Explained: the Doppler effect

Sept 20-27: Doppler & Spectral Analysis

This week we're going to talk about the Doppler Effect... you know, that weird noise you hear when an ambulance or train passes. The Doppler Effect not only applies to sound however, it applies to all things that travel in waves - including light. Astronomers have used the Doppler Effect on light to determine that the universe is expanding... pretty cool huh? So this week we're going to talk about how stars and galaxies are analyzed and how the colors of the spectrum apply to the Doppler Effect and the Big Bang Theory. It's very cool stuff, and your student would definitely benefit from your asking him/her to explain it to you! Teaching is the best way to learn... believe me.

Sept 13-17 : Present Posters, Waves Review, & Sci Method Quiz

On Monday the students presented their cosmology posters - yay!
The rest of the week we reviewed how waves work and how sound and light are transfered via waves.
On Friday we had a quiz on the scientific method.

Hopefully you've also noticed the experiment that your student has been doing this week... they had to follow the scientific method to complete a simple experiment at home. That assignement was due today! Students have 2 assignments that they can turn in late for full credit (if they deserve full credit). The 3rd late assignment will be 20% off... B- at highest. Please encourage them to get things in on time:)

Thanks for all your support at home!

Sept 7-10 : Cosmology Research

We're jumping into science concepts this week - yay!!! Since we learned about the scientific method last week this week we're going to be doing some research on some amazing theories the scientists who came up with them.

Mon - NO SCHOOL!!! LABOR DAY!!!
Tues - Intro to cosmology research project (start research)
Wed - Research
Thurs - Meet with partner/small group to script out a podcast.
Fri - Record podcasts

The cosmology theories they will be researching are:
Atomist Theory
Geocentric Theory
Heliocentric Theory
Big Bang Theory

Each group will script and record a podcast to present their information.