Thursday, February 22, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Tropical Forests -
Jayne showed me the book she wrote about tarantulas, and I asked her to read it to me. We then examined the nature search book about the tropical rainforests. I explained that there are ecosystems in the world that are unique and each has their own plant and animal residents. This book is separated into three sections of the forest based on height; the canopy, the middle, and the ground level. For each level there is a drawing of the plants and animals found at that height. Jayne was tasked with finding several animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Jayne found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented as the path a mother tree frog takes to get from one set of tadpoles to another.
We learned how each renewable energy source is used to form electricity.
Wind...
Like the propeller blades of an airplane, wind turbine blades use the moving air to power an electric generator that supplies an electric current.
Biomass...
Power companies are also working with customers to find new ways to make electricity, from crops like switchgrass and even from cow poop!
Solar...
Have you ever used a magnifying glass to make something melt or burn? If yes, than you were using solar power!
Hydro...
Hydro means "water" in Greek - so "hydro power" is energy made from water.
Geothermal...
Have you ever seen pictures of a volcano or a geyser? If so, then you've seen geothermal energy in action!
We learned that all the energy we use comes from the Earth. We make electricity using the Earth’s resources like coal or natural gas. Natural gas and coal are called “fossil fuels” because they were formed deep under the Earth during dinosaur times. The problem is that fossil fuels can't be replaced, when we use them up, they're gone forever. Another problem is that fossil fuels can cause pollution. We learned about alternative energy. Renewable energy is sustainable as it is obtained from sources that are inexhaustible (unlike fossil fuels). Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydro, all of which occur naturally. Renewable energy is also called "clean energy" or "green power" because it doesn't pollute the air or the water. Unlike natural gas and coal, we can't store up wind and sunshine to use whenever we need to make more electricity. If the wind doesn't blow or the sun hides behind clouds, there wouldn't be enough power for everyone. Next we learned that it costs more to make electricity from wind and most people aren’t willing to pay more on their monthly utility bills. Then we looked at each renewable energy to understand how they form electricity.
We explored how temperature and air pressure change through layers of Earth’s atmosphere. We related air mass to air pressure. Then we discovered the composition of each layer of the atmosphere and the importance of each layer. For example, the stratosphere contains the ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the sun and the mesosphere burns up meteors before they hit the Earth as meteorites. Next, we looked at the greenhouse effect which is the process by which gases in the atmosphere such as water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb and give off infrared radiation. With greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere, radiation from Earth’s surface is lost to space more slowly, which makes Earth’s surface warmer.
Chemical energy - We learned that chemical energy is energy that is stored in matter and can be released by a chemical reaction. When our bodies need energy we break down food and release potential chemical energy. If that energy is used it changes to kinetic energy. Cars use chemical energy in liquid fuel such as gas and flashlights use chemical energy stored in batteries to produce light.
Assignment: We finished up energy by creating a foldable of energy types for our science notebook.
We learned that atoms go through chemical changes with different types of atoms that can cause molecules to change the way they are put together forming new compounds. Then we learned that compounds can have different properties from the elements that formed them. Next we drew a carbon atom with the correct number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. We found elements in the Periodic Table and identified their atomic mass, symbol, protons, neutrons, and electrons.
We learned that thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of the particles in matter. We learned that thermal energy involves keeping us warm, cooking food, and heating water. It is measured with a thermometer. We learned that mechanical energy is the sum of the potential and kinetic energy. Then we learned that light energy is a form of energy that can travel through space. Light can also pass through some types of matter such as air or glass. Light energy travels as waves and you can see light energy. Light reflects or bounces off objects and enters your eyes so you can see the objects. Next we learned that electrical energy is caused by the movement of electric charges. Electrical energy can change to thermal or light energy. Then we played a Jeopardy energy game.
Energy - We learned to describe potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy is the energy of an object because of its position or condition. The energy an object has because of its motion is called kinetic energy. Next we learned that a compressed spring or a stretched rubber band has potential energy due to their position but a match has potential energy stored in chemical bonds between its particles. Then we investigated some basic forms of energy such as light, chemical, and mechanical energy. Then we learned that energy is never used up, it just changes from one form to another. We learned that sound energy is a form of energy that is carried as waves in vibrating matter. When something vibrates or moves back and forth, energy is transferred to tiny particles in the air that move back and forth bumping into other particles causing sound to travel outward.
Assignment: We played a game where we identified the types of energy in each scenario. Then we built a roller coaster that builds and dissipates potential and kinetic energy to safely bring the roller coaster to a complete stop at a designated place.
