Floating & Sinking Mystery

I have had a Density Paradox set for quite a while, but never have used it. This past week I decided to try it out. I might use this as a scientific investigation inquiry lab. Students can observe the first part of the first video and then they can hypothesize what caused the results and then propose ways of testing their hypotheses. Watch the video and then click on the solution tab at the end to see the solution.

Review: UFO Balloon

I bought the UFO Balloon from a local education store a while ago, but never took the time to test it out until now. It is supposed to demonstrate the effect of temperature on a gas. Does it? Check out the video to see the results.

Solar System Scale Model

Scale drawings of the solar system, both to size and distance, are never shown in science textbooks. This video answers why and shows one attempt of such a model.

Note: This is an update from a previous post. This video is at a higher resolution. Here are the details from the previous post:

Google Maps has recently developed “My Maps” where Google Maps can be annotated with pictures, lines, shapes, and points. I incorporated this new tool with one of my all time favorite lessons: The Solar System Scale Model. This model shows the Sun and the nine planets (yes I still include Pluto for comparison reasons) to scale in both size and distance. For details download the student (word document) and teacher handout (word document). You can take a look at the model in action by going to Google Maps or download the Google Earth kml file to look at in Google Earth.

What Causes the Different Spinning Rates of a Radiometer?

My students often stare in wonder at the radiometer that sits in the window sil of my classroom. A lot of them think it's the temperature that causes the different spinning rates. Others think it's the amount of light. I decided to attempt to see which factor determines it. This could be a good inquiry activity for students and it also demonstrates how smartphones are becoming useful data collection devices.

Differences in Lava Lamp Activity

I have two lava lamps that rest in one of the window sils in my classroom. It is both a great distractor to the students and a source of fascination/curiosity to my students. It also helps that my students have to learn the concept of density. One of my lava lamps always seems lethargic and to be frank quite a dissapointment for viewing. I had been thinking that maybe it's a really good observation that might lead to a science inquiry for my students. I did some video and time lapse filming which may result in an inquiry for my students to do. Take a look at the video and see if it's a good idea.