Author: roy

All of us have observed students who approach science tasks with eagerness and glee. Others, unfortunately, work half-heartedly or not at all, seeming to be bored and disinterested. Then, there are those who are unpleasant and disruptive. Children‘s affect, or feelings, have everything to do with how successful they will be in learning. How they feel about themselves, science as a subject, their teacher, and school in general will determine their success as learners.

How students feel directly determines their level of motivation to learn. Even the most talented students will not learn if they don‘t care to exert some effort. If students are to benefit from a science program, teachers must provide a learning environment that engages student affect and encourages engagement in science learning activities. Continue reading “Science Can Make Kids Feel Great!” →

Objective:
The purpose is to develop students’ understanding of change in the rate of chemical reactions due to an increase in temperature

Content Connections:
Properties of objects and materials, chemical reactions, reaction rates

Background Information:
In general for every 10°C increase in temperature, the reaction rate doubles up until the point at which decomposition of the reactants occurs.

Materials
3 lightsticks
3 plastic containers for water
Warm tap water, room temperature water, and ice water
Thermometer
Paper towels

Engage:

Show the students the lightsticks. Activate one lightstick. Ask the students if they have ever heard placing a lightstick in a freezer will extend the life of the lightstick. Ask the students to predict which lightstick will be brighter, one in hot water, one in room temperature water, or one in ice water.

Explore:

Place three water containers (warm, room temperature, and ice water) at each station. Ask the students to keep the water in the containers as much as possible. The materials manager will come to the front when called by the teacher to obtain a thermometer and three lightsticks.

Each group of students will activate the lightsticks (at the same time as much as possible) and place one lightstick in each container of water. The recorder will write the results on the group’s data sheet. The reporter will write the results on the board when requested by the teacher.

The leader will make sure the station is clean and the materials manager will return the thermometer and lightsticks to the teacher when requested. The leader will make sure the names of all group members is on the data sheet and the data sheet is turned in as specified by the teacher. Continue reading “Activity: Some Like it Hot” →