Innovative Technology in Science Inquiry

Unit

Atomic Structure

Subject

Chemistry

Grade Level

HS

Activity Name(s)

Energy Levels

Molecular Geometry

Periodic Table

Probablity Clouds

Being Prepared

Unit

Heat and Temperature

Subject

Physical Science

Grade Level

MS

Activity Name(s)

Heat Propogation Activity 111

Temperature vs. Heat Activity 110

Temperature of Mixing Water Activity 112

Unit

Friction

Subject

Physical Science

Grade Level

ES 3-4

Activity Name(s)

Friction

Penny Warming

Unit

Electricity

Subject

Physics

Grade Level

HS

Activity Name(s)

Current in a Simple Circuit

Electrostatics

Voltage in a Simple Circuit

Unit

Evolution

Subject

Biology

Grade Level

HS

Activity Name(s)

A Selection Pressure

Conflicting Selection Pressures

Mutations

Being Prepared

These activities are computer simulations, so having students as close to 1 to1 with a computer is ideal. Plan significantly in advance of htis activity to ensure you have access to computers (state testing requisitions, other teacher use, etc.)

Laptops that require power cords should have power strips placed in such a way that walkways are kept clear.

Unit

Climate Change

Subject

Physics

Grade Level

HS

Activity Name(s)

Energy Balance and Temperature 

Greenhouse Gases

Being Prepared

This activity is best done if every student has access to a computer. If this is not possible you can group students into groups of 2. This activity is entirely done on a computer as a simulation. It is ideal if you have a Win 7 or a newer version of Windows, but it will run on Win xP. If you have Mac computers you will need to update your Java and Adobe Flash.

Unit

Senses

Subject

Life Science

Grade Level

ES 3-4

Activity Name(s)

Insect Sensors

Measuring Different Colors With Light

Sensing Temperature

Unit

Heat Transfer

Subject

Physics

Grade Level

HS

Activity Name(s)

Heat Conduction

Heat Conduction: Molecular View

Thermal Radiation

Being Prepared

Two of the activities are models only. These will work best if you can have as few members per group to work on the computers.

Unit

Playground Design

Subject

Engineering

Grade Level

ES 3-4

Activity Name(s)

Building a Bungee Jump

Building a Zip Line

Unit

Motion

Subject

Physical Science

Grade Level

MS

Activity Names

Making Waves

Seeing Motion

Being Prepared

Students should work with a partner (this can be done with groups of 3, but it works easiest with 2). You also need to make sure you have adequate space so that the students can stay out of range of each other's motion detectors. This space also needs to be cleared of other objects within the range of the detectors or the detectors will give false readings.

You will need: