How does the R-value of your device stack up?

How does the "Heat Retention Factor" from our lab connect with the Real world?

We estimated Heat Retention Factors between 1 and 3 for the devices we constructed and tested in our lab.  Heat Retention Factors are similar to R-values typically used in construction and engineering -  the higher the R-value the better the insulation.

R-values for typical insulation materials are shown in this table

R-values for high tech Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) developed for NASA can achieve the equivalent of R-1440.   MLI: Spacesuits, Cryogenics and Homes

Volkswagen Emission Testing

Scientist need to be careful not to have accurate and consistent procedure between the Standard of Comparison (the emissions test in this example) and the treatments (all other driving conditions) or they may face severe consequences including loss of reputation, being fired, financial penalties, and jail.

Scientists and engineers who work for Volkswagen have recently been in in the news because their procedures were carried out with intention to deceive and misrepresent the pollution emissions of their vehicles.  Read more about the consequences of these actions here:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-06/vw-executive-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison-for-diesel-role

http://www.sustainabledirection.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-vw-scandal/

Being Thankful

Today I have set aside time to thank the donors who contributed money so that we could purchase a high quality 3D printer for our classroom.  Expectations from the DonorsChoose organization are:

An excellent way we can demonstrate our character traits of being respectful, responsible, honest and caring is to fulfill our obligation to the donors who supported our classroom by completing the actions suggested by the Donors Choose organization.

1.  We will take a picture of each class showing objects that we printed.  We will also take pictures of student designed 3D objects or of objects that you felt were really neat or significant.  I will upload these to the website.

2.  Students will write thank you letters - creative and fun letters are great!  The letters should be appropriate and could explain how using Tinkercad and a 3D printer caused you to think differently about what is possible in our futures or how they encouraged you to design or enjoy some object you created.  For example, do you remember the 3D printed heart we read about?  You don't need to mention the heart in your letter, but you might consider mentioning something else you have thought about.

3.  Mr. Delemeester will upload the pictures and read the thank you letters.  He will then write an overall impact statement thanking the donors.

Examples of Excellent Work in Science 8

Solar Panel Comparisons Paragraph

This image shows a thoughtful and well explained paragraph

The video related structure of the panel (the topic we have been studying) to electricity.

You were given the challenge of linking the independent variable (structure) to two dependent variables (Volts and milliAmps).  Your paragraph was judged using the rubric for good writing.  Your challenge was to use contextual cues (a meter displaying numbers and measurements) to identify typical science processes which generated evidence used to demonstrate the relationship between the variables of crystal structure for the panels and electrical output.   This was an SAT type of assessment.

Digging Deeper - What Do Volts and Milliamps Mean?

Many students understand electricity better if they relate it to water flowing.    In the video the panels had different voltages.  Voltage is a measure of potential energy - like height.  See the effect of voltage on electricity by looking at the arrows in left diagram below.   Also in the video the panels had different current - like amount of water flowing through the pipes in the diagram on right below.

Height of Cup = Voltage                    Size of Pipe = Current (milliamps)     

           

Key Idea: the size of the arrows represents amount of electricity      

http://audio-electronics.wikidot.com/printer--friendly//ohms-law

Which blue arrow do you think represents the most current?

What factors might be most important to producing the greatest amount of electricity?

STEM Day Oct 20th

New Investigations 8th grade students are starting this week:

Cannan and Keagan: Bouncing Objects

Brady and three others: Paper Airplane Design that flies longest or farthest

PSAT This Week

A main focus of students in 8th Grade will be completing the PSAT test on Wednesday this week. Please be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast before this test.

Monday and Tuesday in class we will be investigating phase changes with GIZMO and discussing the locations of Potential and Kinetic Energy in physical changes.

I have observed that most students are enjoying the opportunity to pursue STEM investigations during class.  Students are taking advantage of STEM Enrichment days to perform chemcial reactions, create computer code, create electrical circuits with Arduino Processors, disassemble computers, create movies, prepare for science competitions, and a variety of other pursuits.  I'm excited to see your enthusiasm.  Keep up the great work!

We will resume normal class routine on Thursday after the PSAT on Wednesday.  There is no school on Friday so enjoy the three day holiday - be safe and have fun!

September Recap

We have completed our first full month of school and I wanted to share some general patterns I have noticed.

Everything Starts with Attitude

Student attitudes toward learning are very positive.  Most students are completing their assignments and are working hard to do a good job.  I see evidence that most students have a growth mindset, and those with a fixed mindset are beginning to try new strategies for a more effective path to learning.

Performance

Student performance so far is excellent - overall A's and B's for most students in both 3rd and 4th Block.  There are a few students that have not transitioned to 8th grade expectations, but I hope they will adjust to our faster pace during October and that their grades will improve as they become accustomed to the workload.

The charts at right were generated from my teacher account on Powerschool and show me the overall class statistics.  You might notice most of the assignments so far have been in the Classwork category, and that the overall performance, identified as Percentage, is 80% or better for both classes in the Test, Classwork and Lab categories.

You are all good students and I know you will keep working hard to do your personal best and constantly improve.  Keep up the good work!

STEM Enrichment: Your Personal Blog

Blog Titles

I'd like you to think about whether the name on your personal blog accurately reflects the posts you have made.  You are welcome to change the name of your Blog to better reflect its content as long as you keep your first name in the Title so that I can identify you as the auther when I open your blog.

Creating Blog Posts

A shout out to Amya/Marissa/Jersey, Zach/Sam/Luke/Nathan, Ethan/Hannah, Madison, Zach, Isabel, and Hailey for doing a great job brainstorming and then organizing ideas into categories for their Sept. 29th blog posts about STEM Enrichment Day #2.

Please look at your blog posts and read any comments I may have written.

I hope that you will begin sharing your blogs with each other as we become more comfortable with this medium of communication.  I also am wondering if we could make your blogs a part of the portfolio that is shared with your parents duing parent-teacher conferences.

Looking forward to an Excellent October!

Mr. Delemeester