Operation Water Drop

2008-05-14 12:58:13

On Monday, the students performed chemical analyses of the five water samples. They will continue their work as junior chemical analysts, next Monday.

Homework assigned:

-

Assignments NHI:

"Land and Water" q. - DN, DA, MP

water pollution and drinking water quality

2008-05-06 16:19:10

In the last few classes, the grade 8 students presented their research on the Aral Sea decline, and on the human impacts in Columbia River wildlife. They watched three short video documentaries on the effects of moving water and ice on landscapes.

Today we discussed water pollutants, and activities contributing to water pollution. The students watched a video documentary on the controversial Oil sands developments in Northern Alberta. In the coming classes, they will perform chemical analyses on water samples from different sources, including Trout Creek run-off and TGS tap water.

Homework assigned:

study test procedure on hand-out => due Mon, May 12

Assignments NHI:

"Land and Water" questions - DN, DA, MP

Aral Sea

2008-04-15 16:29:21

Yesterday, students wrote the Optics test (except TN, new test date to be scheduled).

Today we discussed the changes of the Aral Sea, as an example of how human activities affect a watershed. Students researched in pairs, one of two topics:

TN, DN: Columbia River - human impacts on the watershed

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/00/earthpulse/columbia/index_flash.html

DA, MP: Aral Sea - problems and solutions

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/14/aral.html

Homework assigned:

- complete and prepare a Smart Notebook presentation on your topic => due Tu, Apr. 22

fresh versus salty

2008-04-08 12:45:36

Today we discussed forms of water and the distribution of water over the planet. Then, the students investigated the properties of salty water compared to those of fresh water. They observed and smelled both types, determined their densities and buoyancies, and conducted float tests.

Homework assigned:

study for Monday's Optics Test => Mon, April 14

optics review water cycle

2008-04-07 10:25:38

Today we reviewed the concepts and skills for the Optics test, such as drawing ray diagrams for plane and curved mirrors. See the following link for an online tutorial on drawing ray diagrams:

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/Phys/Class/refln/u13l3d.html

We decided to re-schedule the test (once more), on Monday, Apr. 14.

We also discussed the water cycle.

Homework assigned:

7.1 CYU => due tomorrow, Tu Apr. 8

Introduction to Water Systems

2008-04-02 16:39:37

Last Tuesday, as an introduction to unit C - "Water Systems on Earth" - we created a mind map around the concept of "water systems". We also listed upcoming activiities, such as measuring surface water pollution, andanalyzing drinking water.

The Optics Test was re-scheduled to: Tu, Apr. 8th. Students were handed a study outline.

Homework assigned: prepare for Optics Test (next class is Monday, April 7th)

Optics Review

2008-03-12 16:07:38

This Tuesday, we discussed the ray diagrams that were assigned as homework.

Then, we wrote an outline for the Optics test, and reviewed.

Since the students were on a field trip today, this was the last class before the break.

The students will write their test on Optics when they return (but not immediately)for Term 3.

Enjoy your time off!

Mr. Bakx

Image formation in mirrors and lenses

2008-03-05 13:19:14

The grade 8s completed their investigation of curved mirror. We discussed how to determine whether an image is real or virtual and tested our method.

Then the students took notes on completing ray diagrams.

Homework assigned:

complete 11.6 CYU 1-3, 5 complete ray diagrams for mirrors on worksheet => due Tu, Mar 11

Assignments NHI:

solar/wind electricty research assignment - DN (incomplete)

The links below refer to an online tutorial on completing ray diagrams.

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/Phys/Class/refln/u13l4b.html

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/Phys/Class/refln/u13l3d.html

solar panels

2008-03-04 13:18:57

Today the students debated the issue of whether or not to install solar panels at a school.

Costs, environmental considerations, and effects on employment were discussed.

To be able to get a more accurate indication of the feasibility of installing solar panels at e.g. The Glenfir School in Summerland, more information is needed.

Homework assigned => due tomorrow, Wed, Mar. 5

DA -research and report onthe cost of wind turbines

DN & TN - research and report on government grants and tax incentives related to installing solar panels and wind turbines.

MP - research and report on the cost of solar panels

Students will writethe OpticsTest on Wed, Mar. 12.

optics 2

2008-02-27 14:03:32

Today we discussed reflection and characteristics of images. Then the students investigated reflection in plane mirrors, wrote a lab report, and some started exploring reflection in curved mirrors.

Homework assigned:

Read 10.6 research and prepare arguments for your role in the solar panels debate

=> due Tu, Mar 4

Assignments NHI:

-

optics 1

2008-02-26 13:04:25

Today we reviewed properties and behaviour of light, discussed the visible and electromagnetic spectrum, and investigated reflection in a plane mirror.

Homework assigned:

10.4 CYU, 10.5 CYU, Inv. 11.1: Analyze c-f => due: Wednesday, 2/27

(students had time earlier to complete 10.4 and 10.5 in class)

Assignments NHI: -

Chapter 5 Test

2008-02-06 12:26:05

On Wednesday, February 13, the students are writing a test on Chapter 5 -"The Use of Fluids".

This test will cover:

5.3 "How fluids handle pressure" (Investigation): what happens when fluids are subjected to pressure?, difference in response to pressurebetween water and air;

5.4 "Fluids under pressure" : Definition, calculation of pressure, atmospheric pressure, relationship between depth of a fluid and pressure;

5.5 "Pressure in Confined Fluids": how does a hydraulic system work? a pneumatic system?, pressure and forces in a hydraulic system, explaining compression and compressibility using the kinetic molecular theory;

"Boyle's Law" -> study from hand-out, lab report: pV = k, relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas;

5.7 "Fluid power" (hands-on problem solving): design fluid-power systems to perform a specific task, technical drawing,procedure for operation.

Science Fair - time schedule

2008-01-13 14:33:51

Deadlines:

> Experimental design, written procedure, list of materials Th, Jan. 24

> Experiments completed We, Feb. 6

> Results, and Analysis / Discussion Wed, Feb. 13

> Conclusion evaluation, abstract, and backboard Mon, Feb. 18

Date of TGS Science Fair: Wed, Feb. 20

Chapter 4 Test

2008-01-13 14:25:53

The grade 8 students will write a test on chapter 4 "The properties of Fluids", on Tuesday, Jan 22.

See below for a list of main concepts and skills to review.

- what are fluids? (4.1)

- kinetic molecular theory: explain changes of state, explain flow (4.1)

- laminar flow, turbulent flow, drag (4.2)

- What is viscosity? How does it depend on temperature? (4.3, 4.12)

- Mass, weight ,volume: definitions, measurements (4.5)

- Density: definition, calculations. How does it depend on temperature? (4.7, 4.12)

- Density: comparing substances, % submersion (4.9)

- What is buoyancy? What is Archimedes' principle? (4.10)

- How and why do things float? (4.11)

Science Fair

2007-12-20 16:56:44

Still notsure how to get started on your Science Fair project?

Maybe the following website can help. Try it!

http://www.sciencefairs.bc.ca/students.html