167-168 Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge (Pseudoscience)

I use the Bill Nye Video (Pseudoscience) to open a discussion of the differences between Scientific and Nonscientific thinking.

Some possible discussion questions:

1. List some examples of pseudoscience from the video.
2. Why do Scientists repeat experiments?
3. Explain the term: empirical evidence.
4. Why (and how) do hypotheses change?
5. Explain the difference between Science and Pseudoscience.

Next up: Exams and the final days....

165-166 Electromagnetic Spectrum

Today our goal was to look at the characteristics and applications of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. 

We had a choice of watching one of these videos:

Brain Pop - Electromagnetic Spectrum

NASA Video - Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Generation Genius - Electromagnetic Spectrum

Then we completed an EM Spectrum Layered Foldable:

Next up: Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge (Pseudoscience)

163-164 Space Technology

This section is really big!  Space Technology and Telescopes.  I need more time....

First we watched: Untamed Science - A Little Outer Space Here on Earth

*Update: Unfortunately this video used Flash which is no longer available.  This NASA video that shows new technology.

Then we made a Space Technology Foldable

and filled in Cornell Notes using the (NASA Spinoff PowerPoint)

The next section of the lesson was about telescopes.

We watched Brain Pop Telescopes and compared reflecting/refracting telescopes with a cut & paste activity.

Next up: Electromagnetic Spectrum....

157-162 History of Space Exploration

We took Cornell Notes on the history of Space.

then watched the 1995 Apollo 13 Movie. (Trailer)

Discussion questions (Credit: moviesheets.com)

1. Who was the commander of the 1st manned spacecraft to land on the moon? 
2. How long does it take to get to the moon?
3. Why was the Apollo 13 crew changed at the last moment?
4. Where do they launch from?
5. Where is Mission Control located?
6. Explain “lift off” in terms of Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion? (draw a diagram)
7. Why did the helmets float away from the crew? 
8. What does the crew have to dock with when they get to space?  Why?
9. What event led to the explosion on the command module? 
10. What is venting from the space craft into space?
11. What do they have to do to save both power and O2?
12. Why did the LEM (Aquarius) become a “lifeboat”?  
13. Why were communications lost on the far side of the moon?
14. The "lifeboat" that the three astronauts used to survive in on their way back to Earth, was only designed for two astronauts. What was the life threatening problem that developed?
15. How did Houston solve the problem?
16. What point of reference does Lovell use to guide the LEM during the short engine burn?
17. What was the problem with powering up for the re-entry sequence?
18. Why is there condensation on the windows of the Command Module?
19. What does the Command Module look like as it enters Earth’s atmosphere?  Why?
20. How long did the Apollo 13 mission last?

Next up: Space Technology...

149-156 Rockets

Our learning goal was to explain how rockets were developed, and to demonstrate how a rocket works.

To introduce the lesson we watched the 1999 October Sky Movie (see previous post).

then we built water rockets using NASA Plans,

 & launched...

Next up: History of Space Exploration....