Mrs. DuBose’s Class: AdVeNtUrEs iN ScIeNcE

How do the forces of erosion change the world in which we live? Join us and find out

Greetings Science Snoopers! You might say we’re going to really get “down and dirty” because our topic is erosion and one of the key things that erosion controls is DIRT! Most people don’t realize it, but every minute of every day, our earth is being changed by the forces of erosion. Wind, water, ice, insects, and even people help to move soil and wear away the surface of the planet. Your mission is to investigate one way that shapes your neighborhood and then write about it. Let’s begin by investigating the facts! Have fun being a Dirtmeister by doing these fun science experiments at home!

Did you do your lab report..If not click here

SAFETY ALERT: ALWAYS REMEMBER even the simplest activities with the most basic of materials can be harmful or dangerous, so parental supervision and guidance is critical at all times

At Home Science Experiments

• Neighborhood Erosion Experiment
• Soil Erosion Demonstration
• Soil Organic Matter (Aggregate Stability)
• Soil Air
• Particle Size Demonstration

In class this week we have learned what a minerals is using the mnemonic device: CRINS which stands for Crystal (repeating pattern), Recipe (definite chemical composition), Inorganic (non-living) Naturally formed, and Solid. Next, students learned the 8 ways that geologist can identify minerals: C3DFHLS- Color, Cleavage, Crystal structure, Density, Fracture, Hardness, Luster, and Streak.  Students had quite an enjoyable time applying these properties to figure out the identity of mystery minerals.  Lastly, students learned the 2 ways minerals can form-from evaporating solutions and from the cooling of magma and lava. Students learned that when they drink Kool Aid they are essentially drinking a solution because sugar is dissolved in water.  They also learned that through the process of crystallization crystals are able to grow. Students were quite BEDAZZLED of the large size of crystals from a geode and the size of crystals from obsidian.  I posed the questions as to why do you think the crystals were different sizes and their was always that ONE shining star in each class who correctly guess it had to do something with the temperature of the magma and lava.  The quicker the molten rock cooled, the SMALLER the crystal.  SLOW = BIG CRYSTALS FAST=small crystals

Taking their understanding a step further, I asked them how do you think we could create our own crystals?  Many students quickly grasped that we could create our own solutions and allow the solution to evaporate over several days.  Students had a great learning experience creating their borax solutions and seeing their crystals start to grow.  I used sugar last year and it started to get mold.  This year I used Borax at the recommendation of another science teacher due how quickly crystallization starts.

LEAVE A COMMENT..Share your experience creating your crystal or going on the mineral scavenger hunt

Don’t forget minerals are EVERYWHERE and WE USE THEM EVERYDAY!…To go on a mineral scavenger hunt, click on the picture below

If you are interested in growing your own crystals, try Grow Your Own Crystal Experiment on page 2..  If you want to earn 15 points extra credit to test grade, you must do the LAB REPORT that accompanies it!

Earthquake Experiment

In 1989 a powerful earthquake struck San Francisco and caused massive damage to the city. In 1995 an earthquake in Kobe Japan killed 5096 people and devastated the city.

Damage for both of the earthquakes was widespread, but was considerably greater in certain parts of the cities. This experiment is designed to demonstrate one reason why earthquake damage varied in different parts of the cities.

Because of the high demand for housing, and the limited area to build it, both cities have extended their development out over the nearby estuary areas. By trucking in dirt and filling in near-shore wetlands the cities have been able to build out over these areas. Therefore both cities have sections built over “dry” soil and bedrock, and sections built over “wet” soil and bedrock. One of the “wet” areas of San Francisco is called the Marina district.  This project is worth 20 POINTS EXTRA CREDIT TEST GRADE. (more…)