Elementary Science Methods 1

  What did you learn this week? This week we learned that density has a role in if an object will sink or float. It depends on the weight in grams as well. If an object is greater than 1gram per mL it will sink.  We discovered this through our dice activity also while revisiting the coca-cola activity. I also learned that salt water is more dense than freshwater. Which parts did you find clear and which were confusing? I still am a little confused as to how one of the coke cans floated. However, I do understand that they are made up of carbonation and one can had more sugar than the other. Therefore, that could be a factor.  What are new or remaining questions?  What objects/matierals are guarenteed to either float or sink? 

What did you learn this week? This week we conducted multiple different expieriments. Each station had an overarching question that required us to have a prediction, take data, and analyze our data. Through this activity, I learned that different sizes of objects/materials will have different results when weighed, measured, and more. The most suprising finding from this activity was the idea that the full peice of foil floated when it was flat, but when it was crumbled up into a ball it sank. This taught me about how density of an object has a role in changing the results.  Which parts did you find clear and which were confusing? The only part I found confusing was when we had to measure the volume of the large cube. It did not fit inside of the gradulated clinder therefore we had to use a different tool to measure the volume. It was a metal container with a spout.  What are new or remaining questions? Why were some of the masses of the objects inconsistent? Wou...

What did you learn this week? This week, we transitioned into our next concept of science, which is physcial science. We conducted multiple different experiments. The one experiement I was most suprised with was the coke float. All of the coke bottles floated except the regular sized coke can. We assumed that since it has the most sugar, that is why it sank.   Are you able to relate what you le arned to what you already knew? Once of the experients we conducted was cold soda. I already knew what would happen when taking a plastic bottle or a metal can out of a cold cooler. We observed condensation. We connected this to the idea that condensation happens only for iced/cold drinks, it does not happen for hot drinks.  How can you apply what you've learned to your teaching in the future? The expieriment I can apply to my future teaching would be the M&Ms. I did a similar activity in 5th grade science with skittles and I thought it was really cool to learn about. This acti...

  What did you learn this week? This was our last week of learning life science. During this week, we learned about predators and prey. We did an activty with 3 different color beans. Each of us at our table had a different untensil which represented the predator. Each predator had a bettr advantage than the other, like the spoon was alble to catch more beans than the knife. This provided a representation about how in real life, certain predators in an environment have a better chance of survival since they are able to catch more prey than others.  Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? Yes, I connected this lesson to the school of the wild observation. During the school of the wild, we payed close attention to how different predators act within their environment. We learned that some birds have a better advantage of catching prey or food than others due to their hunting skills. It just depends on the type of breed that the bird was. This lesson was ...

  What did you learn this week? This week, we learned about natural selection. In class we did simulations for natural selection. The simulation I found most interesting was the birds and moths. When it was dark, the lighter moths were easy prey, whereas when it was light, the darker moths were easier prey. This demonstrated how different conditions determine the natural selection of that specific organism.  Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? Yes, in highschool biology, we learned about natural selction and evolution. In high school, we did an activty with Darwins theory of evolution. It was helpful that this lecture was review of what I previously learned.  Which parts did you find clear and which were confusing? The whole concept of evolution still is hard for me to understand, however I do understand the holstic view. Evolution invloves natural selection, migration, gene drift, and mutation. 

  What did you learn this week? This week, I learned more in depth about DNA and RNA. We did an activity in class that resembled how traits different, there are dominant and recessive genes. Depending on the parents, the children can get different genes and traits.  Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? Yes, I remember learning about DNA in biology freshman year of high school. We did a similar activity with a coin to determine genes, to demonstrate that sometimes it can be random, while it also has something to do with the parents type of genes ( recessive or dominant). What are new or remaining questions?  What are other activities involving DNA that can be taught to elementary students other than gene charts? 

  What did you learn this week? This week in lecture, we learned about how traits are determined by genetics and environmental factors, genetics are patterns with the way information is stored, expressed, and passed on. We also learned about alleles. I remember learning about them in high school but needed the refresher. Alleles are found at the same location on chromosomes and are encoded for varying specific traits. There are 2 types of alleles, homozygous - 2 alleles that are the same, and heterozygous- 2 alleles that are different.  Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? Yes, when we learned about how traits are determined, it reminded me of the genes charts that I did in high school where we desribed the different between a ressesive trait and a dominiant trait to see the liekly hood of that child receving which specific traits. Genes can be anwhere from a few pairs to thoundands of base pairs long, and each gene determines a specifc characteris...