Wildlife

Capybara - The World's Largest Rodent
Leaf Cutter Ants in the Peruvian Amazon

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HS-PS2-6: Molecular Level Structure of Designed Materials

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HS-PS2-6:   Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials. PS2-6 Evidence Statements I introduced this topic to students by showing them a short video about gecko adhesive ( synthetic setae ).  Geckos feet are super-sticky due to numerous Van der Waals forces that form between the tiny endings of hairs that are found under their feet and whatever surface they are climbing on.  After the video we discussed the importance of molecular level interactions for the designed materials shown in the video.  Video options include the Weird Connections Episode " How Sticky is Your Gecko? ",  the segment about gecko adhesive from Nova's " Making Stuff Smarter " or  " Bio-Inspiration:Nature as Muse " from KQED-Quest. By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen - Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/galleries.html, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?c...
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Oxidation of Magnesium - Empirical Formula

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This video summarizes an experiment performed to experimentally determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide. In the lab the mass of a small sample of magnesium ribbon is measured. The metal is then heated in a crucible using a Bunsen burner to speed up the process of oxidation. The reaction forms the product magnesium oxide. The mass of this compound is measured and compared to the original amount of magnesium to determine the added mass of oxygen. The data collected allows students to calculate the empirical formula of the magnesium oxide compound. The reaction is summarized by the following chemical equation. 2Mg  +  O 2  →  2MgO The compound forms with a 1:1 ratio of magnesium to oxygen. This is because magnesium has two valence electrons which are donated to the oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms can add two electrons to complete their valence shell. I hope this was helpful.
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HS-PS2-5: Magnetic and Electric Fields

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HS-PS2-5:  Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current. HS-PS2-5 Evidence Statements The NGSS performance expectations are basically asking that students re-create the experiments of Michael Faraday.  In 1831, Faraday discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism.  His experiments showed that electric currents could be manipulated to create magnetic fields and magnetic fields could be manipulated to create electric currents. I recently had my students compete in an engineering challenge as they worked towards meeting this learning standard.  The students really enjoyed having the opportunity to explore the topics of electricity and magnetism, design and build their electromagnets, test them and then finally compete. Students were allowed to use the following materials.  Students were allowed to request add...
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