Mrs. DuBose’s Class: AdVeNtUrEs iN ScIeNcE

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!

This week’s science activity (this is number 9 & 10)is fun for the whole family. You and your family will have fun learning the order of the planets and the planet sizes using a roll of tissue paper. Have fun using your classroom knowledge to help our your parents.  This can definitely be used as a Teach Your Parent Night.  Remember you get to earn 1 point for each time you get “teach” your parent.   While your there, you can do other at home astronomy activities too..Have fun!

This Weeks At Home Experiment: 10/13-10/17

Penny in A Cup

Hi Scientists,

Your mission is to use a penny, a cup, and a index card to show how INERTIA work. The law of inertia, Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion, states that an object tends to stay at rest or in straight line motion if no outside force acts upon that object. It can also be described as the resistance of any object to change in its motion. Using inertia, we can drop a penny into a cup without touching it

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

This Weeks At Home Experiment: 10/6-10/10

How does the type of fuel affect the rocket height?

Well Scientists,

We have applied our knowledge of action and reaction forces to our pop rockets in class. Now you can have fun with this activity at home.  The question this time is which type of fuel ratio gets the best height. Remember you have to get the CLEAN FILM CANISTERS.  You can go to Eckard, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, etc and nicely ask for clear film canisters.  Tell them you are doing an experiment for science class. Remember to say PLEASE AND THANK YOU.  These are possible variables that you can test once you get home.

1. Try changing the ratio of vinegar to baking soda
2. Try changing the ratio of vinegar to alka seltzer
3. Try changing the ratio of water to alka seltzer

Choose one thing to change (that’s the variable) and make a prediction. Then test it and send your results to ZOOM. Your results could end up online..HAVE FUN EXPERIMENTING

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

This Weeks At Home Experiment: 9/15-9/19

Hi Super Scientist,

This week we worked on our volume skills and learned how to measure liquids and irregular objects using a graduated cylinder.  Have fun at home making colors

Materials

• 9 small clear plastic cups
• water
• an eyedropper (that has mL) on sides..GO to the PHARMACY for ONE
• food coloring: red, blue, & yellow

Before starting your experiment

1. Take 3 of the cups and add 1/2 cup of water to EACH. Label one RED, the other BLUE, and the last YELLOW.
2. Then add 5 drops of red food coloring to the RED.  Repeat with yellow and blue in their respective cups.
3. The colors will act as your STARTERS
4. Next Label the 6 remaining cups A-F

Color Making Time

Follow the steps below below using an eye dropper.  Remember to rinse out the eyedropper in between steps

1. Into cup A measure 19 ml of red liquid.
2. Into cup C measure 18 ml of yellow liquid.
3. Into cup E measure 18 ml of blue liquid.
4. From cup C measure 4 ml and pour it into cup D.
5. From cup E measure 7 ml and add it to cup D and mix.
6. From the BLUE STARTER cup measure 4 ml and pour it into cup F.
7. From the RED STARTER cup measure 7 ml and add it to cup F and mix.
8. From cup A measure 8 ml of liquid and pour it into cup B.
9. From cup C measure 3 ml and add it to cup B and mix.
10. Record the color and volume of each cup A-F into the Rainbow of Colors Table 1

Cup	Color of Liquid	Amount of Liquid (mL)
A
B
C
D
E
F
	Total liquid Test Tubes A-F	mL

Voila!! You made a rainbow!!

Don’t forget to share your response with your fellow scientist!! Leave a comment..

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

This Weeks At Home Experiment: 9/8-9/12

Arrows Optical Illusion
Blind Spot

Well Scientists,

We applied discussed the importance of taking careful observations and remembering that we can’t trust our eyes.  Put your observation skills to test, with this weeks at home lab where you try outsmart the OPTICAL Illusion   Remember to send your results to ZOOM. Your results could end up online..HAVE FUN EXPERIMENTING.  Check out the optical illusion below..Can you see the TWO images??

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

This Weeks At Home Experiment: 9/2-9/5

How Many Drops Can Fit On Different Coins

Well Scientists,

We applied scientific method to figure out drops on a penny.  Now you can have fun with this activity at home.  The question this time is What happens if you use different coins”.  Does more water fit on bigger coins or smaller coins.  In your experiment,  you will use a different coin, like a nickel, a dime, or a quarter? Use what you know about a penny to predict how many drops will fit on a different coin. You can also add compare soapy water to regular water and see what happens? Choose one thing to change (that’s the variable) and make a prediction. Then test it and send your results to ZOOM. Your results could end up online..HAVE FUN EXPERIMENTING

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