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Science & Nature

The Science Challenge Series Part 1: You Vs. Science

Class
In this on-going, semester class, students explore a new scientific concept each week by attempting a variety of interactive, hands-on STEM experiments, activities or games.
Michael Barr, M.Ed
276 total reviews for this teacher
71 reviews for this class
Completed by 312 learners
  There are no upcoming classes.
7-10
year olds
2-8
learners per class

$16

Charged weekly
Meets 1x per week
Runs week after week
50 minutes per class
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Description

Class Experience

Students will improve their understanding of scientific concepts through interactive experiments and discussion, while focusing on the role each concept plays in our lives.
I used these challenges throughout my teaching career to teach a variety of scientific concepts. The students were excited to do the challenges and this helped them to retain these concepts.
There will be no homework assigned, however, I will encourage students to complete the "Bonus Challenges" that I will explain in each class. These extra challenges are an excellent opportunity to continue their hands-on exploration of the weekly topic. Students will be able to share any of their successes (or failures as these help with growth as a learner) at the beginning of class the next week or they can send me a message, pictures or video clips through our Outschool classroom portal.
*If you do not have a particular material, feel free to substitute something similar (make a paper funnel if you don't have a plastic one, etc.). I may also have suggestions for quick and easy to find substitutes during my instructions for each challenge. If a partner is needed, but one is unavailable for challenges, I will give students suggestions on how to complete the activity alone. As always, feel free to message me with material questions. Forces 1. a partner (a parent, sibling, etc.) for some of the challenges 2. five pieces of paper (8.5x11) 3. scissors 4. a broom Gravity 1. a sheet of paper 2. a small chair (an adult sized chair can be used too if needed). Air Pressure 1. a sink (to get water and to catch water that may spill) - As a substitute, use a tub and bring enough water to fill the plastic cup. 2. a plastic cup 3. an index card (or thicker paper - like tagboard or file folder or poster board or thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) cut to index card size) that will completely cover the top of the plastic cup 4. a dry, empty plastic bottle (any size) 5. a piece of paper 6. 2 straws Air Pressure's Revenge 1. 2 pieces of paper 2. a kitchen funnel 3. a clear, plastic cup 4. scissors 5. a sink (for water and to catch any water that may spill) 6. a large bowl or small tub (that you could fill with water during class) 7. a balloon (regular sized, NOT a small, water balloon size) 8. a disposable water bottle ( 16oz., 24 oz. or a 2 liter will work, as long as the end of a balloon can be wrapped around the lip of the bottle). IMPORTANT... have a parent help you cut (or punch) a hole in the side of the bottle near the bottom (pea sized will work). 9. a small ball that fits in the funnel (a paper ball could be used as a back-up) Friction 1. 2 magazines (same size) or 2 paperback books (same size, about 50 to 150 pages) 2. cookie sheet or another flat, smooth surface (cutting board, large metal pan, etc.) 3. a small paper ball (marble-sized) 4. a large paper ball (fist-sized) 5. 1 paper clip (any size) 6. 1 coin (any size/type) 7. a fork The Touch Challenge 1. 2 pencils (sharpened) 2. a partner (parent, sibling, etc. for a couple of challenges) 3. a ruler (at least 12" or 30 cm long) 4. 2 identical containers that you can fit your hands into - up to (at least) your wrists (boxes, bowls, paper bags, etc.) 5. 2 identical coins (any type) 6. 2 large paper clips (you can substitute 2 identical items similar in size to a large paper clip (large bottle cap, etc.)) 7. 2 small paper clips (you can substitute 2 identical items similar in size to a small paper clip (small legos, etc.)) 8. 2 small paper balls 9. 2 pen caps (or substitute 2 identical items similar in size to pen caps) The Sight Challenge 1. paper tube (paper towel or toilet paper, a straw will also work) 2. 2 sharpened pencils 3. 3 pennies or any other coins (3 identical) 4. plastic cup 5. a ball that is soft or a small pillow The Hearing Challenge 1. a metal pan with raised sides (6 inch x 6 inch/15 cm X 15 cm or larger) - a metal cookie sheet also works 2. 5 different small objects (for example, paper clip, eraser, coin, small ball, spoon, fork, or pencil) 3. 10 pennies (or any 10 coins that are the same type) 4. 2 spoons 5. a paper towel tube (toilet paper tubes also works) - if you don't have an empty roll, just bring a roll that still has paper on it The Taste and Smell Challenge 1. 2 small portions of 3 different foods - (for example, 2 banana pieces, 2 cheese pieces, 2 pieces of lunch meat, 2 cookie pieces, etc.) 2. 4 Q-tips or a straw (for dipping and tasting) 3. lemon juice (we will use just a squirt) - orange juice or a very small amount of vinegar will also work 4. salt water (we will only need a small amount - about 25 ml to 50 ml) - make sure the salt is at least partially dissolved 5. sugar water (same directions as the salt water) 6. small piece of orange peel - anything bitter can be substituted (like a very small amount of black tea or coffee) 7. This one is strange, but fun... 4 unlaundered (the dirtier the better!) pieces of clothing from family members (we will need to use clothing from at least 2 different family members) - for example 1 shirt from the student, 1 from a sibling and 2 shirts from an adult(s) 8. 2 paper towels or a clean washcloth The Energy Challenge 1. small toy car (Matchbox style, Lego car, etc.) 2. a flat surface to be used as a ramp (cookie sheet, longer piece of cardboard, cutting board, etc.) 3. 6 thicker books (when the books are stacked, the total height should be at least 9 inches (20 cm)) 4. 6 feet (2 m) of string (or dental floss or sewing thread (which may need to be doubled to make it stronger) 5. 6 feet (2 m) of string (yup... a second length of string for a different challenge) 6. a large ball (basketball or soccer sized) 7. a small ball (baseball or tennis ball sized) 8. a balloon 9. tape (lighter tape is best) 10. a straw The Laws of Motion 1. a plastic cup or bowl 2. a piece of paper or index card large enough to cover the opening of the cup 3. 10 to 15 coins (any type/size is okay, but it will be easier if they were the same type) 4. a large book (big enough to completely cover both of your hands if you were holding it) 5. a balloon 6. a small coin (penny, nickel, etc.) 7. 2 objects that weigh about 5 pounds each (2.5kg each) 8. a timer or stopwatch (to time yourself in a challenge) Newton's Revenge (Inertia) 1. a quarter (or any large sized coin) 2. a long, sharpened pencil 3. a piece of bread (We will be spearing this item on the pencil, so other types of food (half a banana, small orange, slice of cheese, etc.) will work). Some students have used a play-dough ball for this as well. 4. a piece of paper 5. a plastic cup (6 oz. / 250 ml or larger)
50 minutes per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.
Students will be using scissors for multiple challenges.

Teacher

Michael Barr, M.Ed
🇺🇸
Lives in the United States
M.Ed
276 total reviews
209 completed classes

About Me

Hello! My name is Michael Barr. I have been teaching all subject areas for over 25 years with students in grades K through 8.

My Outschool classes focus on mathematics tutoring and hands-on science classes. For each class, my goal is for students... 
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