Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Friday, November 14, 2014

Celestron Digital Microscopes

This week, students got to explore using the new Celestron Digital Microscopes. These microscopes were purchased with grant money awarded to the 7th Grade Science teachers by the Yarmouth Education Foundation (Thank you YEF!). Here are some shots students took of everyday objects. Can you identify any?

    
Starting from top left: Ring, Cheezit, Computer Screen, Eye with contact, Ear, Pencil case, Eraser, Mesh on the inside of a headset, Table, Zipper on computer case

Wow Bugs!

Today the students were introduced to a parasitic wasp, the Wow Bug.  

Here are some images at scanning and low power.



Monday, November 10, 2014

Starting to use Hand Lenses and Magnification

Today our students revisited their definitions of "What does it mean to be living?"

After that, they moved onto using hand lenses.  They studied text in their book as well as pennies to try to find distinguishing marks.  Many were able to locate initials of the artist who created Lincoln's portrait. 





 The rest of this week we will explore light compound microscopes, how to focus into a specimen and what a good scientific sketch is composed of.



Powers of 10 Video

Friday, November 7, 2014

Reading and Worksheet - Your Habitat is in My Ecosystem.

This Google Document goes along with the reading, 
"Your Habitat is in My Ecosystem."

Read the article “Your Habitat is in My Ecosystem” on pages 43-45 of the Macro to Micro text. Then answer the questions in the Google Document above.
Or click here to access the book on line.

You will also need the following worksheet on parts of a microscope.
Click here to access the picture.




Then read the following link giving you directions on how to use a light microscope.
Click here to access.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Some Helpful links to Taxonomy

Taxonomy Check-in to go with the following links.  
Click here to access.

Greek and Latin Roots- Click here to access

Tim and Moby Video on Life- Click here to watch

Fun PBS Interactive on different crocodiles based on different environments - Click here to interact. 

Macro to Micro - New Unit

Today we started our New Unit- Macro to Micro.

The learning goals were:
1. Identify and list physical characteristics of organisms.
2. Understand how organisms earn there scientific name.

Students constructed a working definition of physical characteristics/traits.

They also learned new vocabulary:
  • taxonomy
  • nomenclature
  • binomial nomenclature

Here is the link to today's reading and questions document.  Click here to access



Make a copy of the Google document and complete the reading on "What is an organism?" p. 8-11.  Then answer the questions provided on the sheet.