Invasive Species
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Unbelievable story of invasive rabbits in Australia...still unfolding."Invasive" Snake Heads a concern |
Emeral Ash Borer
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Succession
Succession is the predictable order in which organisms appear in a new ecosystem, or in an ecosystem that has just suffered a major catastrophic event (forest fire, tsunami, tornado, etc)
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What type of succession is represented here?
Your job is to create a summary of the process using Shadow Puppet Edu, in a similar way to the video below
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Ecology Cartoons
Using the "Ecology Cartoons" handout, answer the questions asked about each of the 3 videos shown here.
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Decomposers & Scavengers |
The Wolves of Yellowstone - Full Documentary (if unavailable eslewhere)
Micro-ecosystem??? What's that?
The 'other' food chain - organisms that feed on...well...us!
Human microbiome (Neat and Weird!)
Pond Water Microecosystem = so so so so cool!!!
Paper Bridge Building Challenge
Goal:
Build - a bridge (using only 1 sheet of paper) that spans a gap (between books) of 15 centimetres (cm) - shown in image below. Books should be approximately 3-6cm thick.
Measure & Label - the centre of your bridge & then draw markings 2 cm toward each end (as shown in the image below). You may only place coins between these 2 lines.
Test - using any/all coins at your disposal, determine how many coins (live load) your bridge will support before it 'buckles' in the middle.
Dead weight calculation - 1 piece of paper weigh 4.6 grams (g) and 25cm of Scotch/Masking tape weighs 0.5g.....So, your total bridge (dead) weight is 5.1g
You'll use coins to discover the maximum LIVE load your bridge will support. To help you out, I've provided the average weights of Canadian coins.
Coin weights
Penny = 2.5g each
Dime = 2.1g each
Nickel = 4.6g each
Quarter = 4.5g each
Loonie = 6.2g each
Twoonie = 7.0g each
Math Challenge: What is the most that $3.41 could weigh?
Test, Record, Video
What is the total LIVE weight supported by your paper bridge?
What is the Structural Efficiency of your bridge? Calculate Live Load divided by Dead Load
Build - a bridge (using only 1 sheet of paper) that spans a gap (between books) of 15 centimetres (cm) - shown in image below. Books should be approximately 3-6cm thick.
Measure & Label - the centre of your bridge & then draw markings 2 cm toward each end (as shown in the image below). You may only place coins between these 2 lines.
Test - using any/all coins at your disposal, determine how many coins (live load) your bridge will support before it 'buckles' in the middle.
Dead weight calculation - 1 piece of paper weigh 4.6 grams (g) and 25cm of Scotch/Masking tape weighs 0.5g.....So, your total bridge (dead) weight is 5.1g
You'll use coins to discover the maximum LIVE load your bridge will support. To help you out, I've provided the average weights of Canadian coins.
Coin weights
Penny = 2.5g each
Dime = 2.1g each
Nickel = 4.6g each
Quarter = 4.5g each
Loonie = 6.2g each
Twoonie = 7.0g each
Math Challenge: What is the most that $3.41 could weigh?
Test, Record, Video
What is the total LIVE weight supported by your paper bridge?
What is the Structural Efficiency of your bridge? Calculate Live Load divided by Dead Load
Analyze/Redesign a piece of furniture in your home - May 29
redesigning_furniture.docx | |
File Size: | 72 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Step 1. Choose a piece of furniture to redesign
Step 2. Refer to the worksheet provided. Draw & Label the original piece. Measure the components and label the dimensions of the components. Step 3. Refer to the worksheet and provide thoughtful, complete answers to the questions. Think about what you've learned about materials and shapes in the process and apply that thinking to your interpretation and redesign. Have fun! |
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Use the Forces and Structures link
Forces and Structures Simulator
Answer the questions on the worksheet provided below. Use FlipGrid to display your work (video response)
Building a Catapult
The original version. Pause where needed. He goes fast!
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Mr. Puff's personalized version for 7P...Technical issues being worked out.
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May 7 - Forces & Structures Unit
BUILDING and REDESIGNING a HOVERCRAFT
Today we're starting the last unit in grade 7 Science. Your goal is simple to understand, but challenging to accomplish. Observe my hovercraft in action. Decide on a way to improve upon my design in order to improve on the hovercraft's function or performance. Make notes and illustrations, as well as a video of your new design in action. Share it with me on FlipGrid.
Enjoy the challenge!
Enjoy the challenge!
April 29 - Blobs in a bottle - Investigation
Important Notes:
Use a 500ml bottle instead of a 1L bottle if possible
Use a 500ml bottle instead of a 1L bottle if possible
blobs-in-a-bottle_how_to.pdf | |
File Size: | 7611 kb |
File Type: |
Solubility Investigation - April 20 |
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Scientific Investigation - Paper Water Lilly
Theories are our best explanations. They are the best fit for all of the scientific evidence on the topic (at that time). However, theories change as they accommodate new discoveries and improved understandings.
Wikipedia has an excellent list of theories that have been disproved over the course of human existence.
Some of the most famous of these theories are:
1) Heliocentric Universe Theory (several different versions)
2) Flat Earth Theory
3) Geocentric Solar System Theory (Ptolemy)
4) The Theory of the 4 Bodily Humours
5) "Plum Pudding Model" of the Atom
6) Spontaneous Generation
7) Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
8) Can turn metal into gold
The Theory of the Particle Theory of Matter
This is a theory that suggests all matter is made up of tiny particles that are constantly moving. The amount of movement is determined by the energy state of the particles/molecules.
Heat Transfer walkthrough animation
Mechanisms of Heat Loss/Transfer
Energy Forms and Changes Simulator (PHET)
Forms of Energy
Energy Loss
Energy Transformation
The Design Process isn't simple, but it can be broken down into pretty simple steps. The hard part is persevering long enough to figure out something that actually works the way you want it to.
Whitening Toothpaste Science Fair Investigation
Inside each of us is a nerd, a dork, a geek, or a dweeb. Some people in society tell us to destroy our inner nerd. I, on the other hand, want you to embrace your dweebliness. No one can geek out just like you do.
My own dorkdom caused me to find an online version of a binary clock (a clock for computer geeks), just because it's different, and while it looks daunting, it's surprisingly simple to read. Have a look at it first, but afterwards, read up on how to read it (below).
Concentration Simulator (PHET)
Pure Substances commonly used or found today.
Independent vs. Dependent Variables (in both Science and Math)
Practice identifying the Independent (Cause) and the Dependent (Effect) Variables
Forces and Structures Unit
Some things are too cool for an introduction...
PBS Forces, Loads, Materials and Structures Simulator (Student exploration)
How water dissolves salt
Particle Theory Unit
Curse over glacier animation
Particle Theory information
Videos and other resources relating to the particle theory of matter.
Two student-created videos on the States of Matter
Particle Theory blogspot resources
How observant are you?
Hiding a stormtroomer in plain sight
Bar Graph Image Central (Google Search)
A neat, interactive graphing site
Sizing things up
Microscope parts (Quiz)
Quizlet - Microscope parts (Flashcards, games, match-up, etc)
How good are you? Break the record.
Ecology Unit
Photosynthesis is a process performed only by a few organisms in the world. These organisms are called 'producers' and are responsible for changing the Sun's solar energy into a form that it can use to grow itself. Fortunately, the products of photosynthesis are sugar (glucose) and oxygen. Humans, along with most of the other organisms on Earth, need both of these products to live.
By looking at the diagram to the left, what do you think a plant needs to create Sugar + Oxygen?
The images below, left and center, are photographs of plant cells taken using a microscopic. Those little green blobs inside each clear looking cell are small structures called chloroplasts. It is these structures are able to capture the Sun's energy and combine it with water and carbon dioxide to create sugar and oxygen.
The image below and to the right is an artist's drawing of a single chloroplast, sliced open to reveal the many thykaloid disks in which photosynthesis occurs.
By looking at the diagram to the left, what do you think a plant needs to create Sugar + Oxygen?
The images below, left and center, are photographs of plant cells taken using a microscopic. Those little green blobs inside each clear looking cell are small structures called chloroplasts. It is these structures are able to capture the Sun's energy and combine it with water and carbon dioxide to create sugar and oxygen.
The image below and to the right is an artist's drawing of a single chloroplast, sliced open to reveal the many thykaloid disks in which photosynthesis occurs.
Bioaccumulation is anything but GREEN!
Where do non-biodegradable chemicals like DDT and Mercury come from? Are you sure you want to know? Any guesses?
Us humans do a lot of harm with a little bit of understanding. Sixty years later, we look back at the DDT catastrophe and know we were silly.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time" are famous words we use to describe a situation that did not work out in the end. Check out this wallpaper advertizement.
What are we doing today that we'll think is ridiculous in 10-20 years time?
"It seemed like a good idea at the time" are famous words we use to describe a situation that did not work out in the end. Check out this wallpaper advertizement.
What are we doing today that we'll think is ridiculous in 10-20 years time?
Ecology IntroductionListen to Ecosystem. Discuss. Then watch.Types of Ecosystems - A teacher in New Jersey was nice enough to develop a website that summarizes some of the most common types of ecosystems. Nice reference for us!Explore Learning Website link |
Are we infested? We are only 10% ourselves. The rest? Bacteria and other microorganisms. Creepy cool!!!Below: A Three Year Mission to discover Earth's Micro-ecosystem inhabitants |