Science is for Kids

HS-PS4-5. Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.* [Clarification Statement: Examples could include solar cells capturing light and converting it to electricity; medical imaging; and communications technology.] HS-PS4-5. Evidence Statements This performance expectation has students communicating technical information about two devices using varying formats (textual,  graphical, oral and mathematical are listed in NGSS evidence statements.  I'm having my students research two devices (one that relies on the photoelectric effect, a second that depends on wave properties) and then create a screencast video using text, images and narration to teach their classmates about the device they selected. Devices that depend on the Photoelectric Effect: Photovoltaic cells (solar panels) Photocopiers Charge coupled...

Answer: Enzymes are protein molecules which serve as catalysts for chemical reactions. A catalyst is a substance which will decrease the activation energy for a reaction. So why is this important? Enzymes will make reactions occur much more easily, quickly and more efficiently than they ever would without the enzyme. Here is a video of an enzyme demonstration I like to share with my students. The video shows how an enzyme present in our saliva (spit) can aid in the process of digestion by acting on starches present in the foods we eat. I hope this was helpful!

HS-PS1-2:   Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties. This video covers important trends of the periodic table.  Topics include; reactivity, ionization energy, successive ionization energy, atomic radius, ionic radius, electron affinity, and electronegativity.