Discovering Science: Middle School Comprehensive Science Semester 3 (Meets Twice Weekly)

This course will provide a comprehensive and engaging approach to learning that covers the Nature of Science, Physical science, Life Science, and Earth Science.  It will include labs and demonstrations of science concepts.  This course will be filled with engaging and hands-on learning!  It will meet your student's science curriculum needs! (Semester 1-3 covers 6th, 7th & 8th-grade science content)

This course will include presentations, guided notes, videos, reading, writing, graphic organizers, foldables, experiments/labs, and demonstrations.  I'm a firm believer in creating engaging learning experiences.  I'm excited to begin a journey of discovering science with your learner!

Meeting 1:  Nature of Science - Lab Safety, Scientific Investigations, and Variables
Meeting 2:  Scientific Design & Ping Pong Ball Lab
Students will need the following:
1.  Ping Pong Ball
2.  Meter Stick or Yard Stick
3.  Masking Tape

Meeting 3:  Review of Periodic Table of Elements/Calculating Neutrons/Periodic Table of Elements Bingo

Meeting 4:  Law of Conservation of Mass/Counting Atoms
Meeting 5:  Law of Conservation of Mass Lab
*Students can watch me demo the lab or purchase the following so that they can conduct the lab at home:
1.  Vinegar
2.  Two Small Cups 
3.  Baking Soda
4.  Digital Scale (Same scale used in Meeting 3)
5.  Plastic Ziplock Bag
6.  Pipette or Medicine Dropper

Meeting 6:  Mass, Volume & Density/Density Cube Lab
*Students will need to purchase the following:
         1.  Density Cube Set 
https://www.amazon.com/Density-Cubes-Metals-10mm-sides/dp/B0108XKPNK/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=density+cubes&qid=1552998603&s=gateway&sr=8-3
         2.  Digital Scale - (Any digital scale will work as long as it has the option for grams)

Meeting 7:  Review Changes in Matter (Physical & Chemical)/Lab
*Students can watch me demo or they can make their own chocolate chip pancakes during
          class (with an adult close by).  They will need:
          1.  Pancake Batter & Required Ingredients on the box
          2.  Chocolate Chips
          3.  Syrup
          4.  Fork to enjoy the pancakes when we are finished

Meeting 8:  Mixtures & Solutions/Separating Mixtures Lab
*Students can watch me demo the lab or purchase the following so that they can conduct the lab at home:
         1.  Magnetic Wand
https://www.amazon.com/MR-CHIPS-Magnetic-Wand-Available/dp/B07ML93XDT/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=magnetic+wand&qid=1553005826&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1
         2.  Sand
https://www.amazon.com/Pounds-Natural-Decorative-Real-Sand/dp/B07BKRSMRM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=fine+sand&qid=1553006120&s=gateway&sr=8-5
         3.  Coffee Filters
         4.  Iron Fillings 
https://www.amazon.com/Dowling-Magnets-Filings-ounces-shaker/dp/B000BJRLTI/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=iron+filings&qid=1553006393&s=gateway&sr=8-7
         5.  Salt (Table Salt)
         6.  Distilled Water
         7.  Funnell
         8.  Three plastic cups
         9.  Plastic Zip Lock Bag
        10. Spoon
        11. Wash Bottle (Or a plastic condiments squeeze bottle)
https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Safety-Bottle-Squeeze-Labels/dp/B07VL7HCXQ/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?keywords=wash+bottle&qid=1567967671&s=gateway&sr=8-12-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRkFDN0Y3TFU4Nlk4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTc1NTU4MVgzUDJSWkNOQk80SCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjIyODc4MUNaREdPN05UUlJYQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
           
              
Meeting 9:  Acids and Bases

Meeting 10:  Acids and Bases Lab
**Students will need:
          1.  pH Paper & substances for testing (list of substances testing provided one week before lab)
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrion-paper-Dispenser-Color-Chart/dp/B005FYGXUC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=pH+paper&qid=1553007780&s=gateway&sr=8-4
          2.  Red Cabbage Juice (Boil red cabbage in water for 10-15 minutes prior to using.  We will use the liquid from the boiled cabbage as an indicator in class.  I will be 
demonstrating this if students do not have red cabbage juice.)
          3.  Substances to test (lemon juice, mouthwash, baking soda dissolved in water, hand soap, laundry detergent, soda, vinegar as well as 2-3 other substances of choice to test.)

Meeting 11:  Forces and Motion
Meeting 12:  Earth's Spheres & Interactions Between the Earth's Spheres
Meeting 13:  Weather Patterns & Climate Part 1 (Review Water Cycle, Land & Sea Breezes, Ocean Currents, Jet Streams)
Meeting 14:  Weather Patterns & Climate Part 2 (Land & Sea Breezes, Ocean Currents, Jet Streams)
Meeting 15:  Natural Disasters (Natural Disasters Research Project) 
Meeting 16:  Weathering, Erosion & Deposition/ Bubble Gum Lab
**Students will need
               1.  TWO pieces of bubble gum (each a different brand of bubble gum)
               2.  24" piece of yarn
               3.  Ruler (we will be measuring in cm)

Meeting 17:  Physical/Mechanical & Chemical Weathering/Weathering, Erosion & Deposition Lab
**Students will need
               1.   Sand (Use sand from the mixtures and solutions lab meeting 8)
               2.   Small pebbles (find outdoors)
               3.   Large pan/Cookie sheet
               4.   Small Cups (3 - One cup will need a lid)
               5.  Ruler
               6.  Popsicle Sticks (2)
               7.  One piece of chalk
               8.  Vinegar (fill the cup with the lid 1/4 full of vinegar)
               9.   Water
              10.  Drinking straws (2) 


Meeting 18:  Landforms 
Meeting 19:  Natural Resources/Renewable vs Nonrenewable
Meeting 20:  Human Impact on the Environment (Land, Water & Atmosphere) Part 1/Human Impact Project

Meeting 21:  Human Impact on the Environment (Land, Water & Atmosphere) Part 2/Cleaning Up an Oil Spill Lab
***Lab Materials: 
• 2 sponges 
• 2 - 4 cotton balls
• 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil 
• 2 paper towel pieces
• 1-3 drops of food coloring 
• dish soap
• a container filled with water

Meeting 22:  Share Human Impact Projects (Not Required But Encouraged)/Human Impact on the Environment Part 3

Meeting 23:  Ecology/Interactions in Communities/Predator vs Prey
Meeting 24:  Invasive Species & Native Species/Invasive Species Project
Meeting 25:  Share Invasive Species Project/Review Scientific Method & Identification of Variables  
Lab

Meeting 26:  Review for Biology -  Structure, and Function of Cells/Cell Model
Meeting 27:  Review for Biology -  Structure of Life/Body Systems
Meeting 28:  Share Final Project



***My courses are not graded unless requested.  If grades are needed, instructions for grades will be provided prior to the course beginning.  Thank you.****