PhD Science Texas - Level 3 Module 3 - Extension Activities

TEXAS

Extension Activities

Level 3 Module 3

Lesson 10 Extension | Forces and Motion

Working in groups, students build and test marble tracks. Students use their observations to describe changes in the motion of the marble and to explain that the marble has mechanical energy (3E).

PREPARATION

Provide each group with a marble, scissors, and tape. If necessary, gather materials that can be

used to make a marble track. Consider allowing students to bring materials from home. Prepare to review safety measures with students as necessary.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Build and Test a Marble Track

1. Discuss which materials you will use to make a marble track.

2. Gather the materials you will use.

3. Create a marble track.

4. Test your marble track. Observe the motion of the marble.

5. Describe changes in the motion of the marble as it moves along the track.

6. Demonstrate to the class how your track works.

7. Discuss whether the marble has mechanical energy. Use evidence from your observations to support your reasoning.

Lesson 13 Extension | Forces and Motion

Working in groups, students create and test a balloon rocket.

PREPARATION

Provide each group with tape, a balloon, a straw, and a piece of string.

Preparation Note: Measure and cut a piece of string for each group. With students’ assistance, if necessary, tape one end of the string to the top of a doorway, and cut the other end at the floor.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Create and Test a Balloon Rocket

1. With help from your teacher, tape one end of the string to the top of a doorway.

2. Inflate the balloon and hold it closed, but do not tie it.

3. Carefully tape the straw to one side of the inflated balloon.

4. Thread the floor end of the string through the straw.

5. Release the balloon and observe what happens.

6. Draw a model that shows the forces that acted on the balloon after you released it. Use arrows to show the forces and the motion of the balloon. Label the arrows.

7. Demonstrate your balloon rocket, and present your model to the class.

Lesson 17 Extension | Forces and Motion

Working in pairs, students test what happens when they try to pull apart notebooks with more and then fewer interwoven pages.

PREPARATION

Provide students with a variety of notebooks that have interwoven pages. The notebooks should have noticeably different amounts of interwoven

pages. See Lesson 17 Resource for examples and directions for interweaving notebook pages. Explain that interwoven means that each page from one notebook is between two pages of the other notebook.

Distribute and read aloud the appropriate procedure sheet to students.

Explore Forces Using Interwoven Notebook Pages

1. Select a set of notebooks with many interwoven pages.

2. Try to pull apart the notebooks.

3. Describe to your partner how it felt when you tried to pull apart the notebooks.

4. Select another set of notebooks with fewer interwoven pages.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

6. Compare how hard it was to pull apart the two sets of notebooks. Discuss why one set of notebooks was harder to pull apart than the other.

7. Share your findings with the class.

Lesson 29 Extension | Forces and Motion

Working individually or in groups, students choose an unanswered question or related phenomenon from the module to research or investigate. Students then present their findings to the class.

PREPARATION

Prepare a list of unanswered questions and related phenomena from the module

driving question board. As necessary, curate resources for student research or provide materials for teacher-approved investigations. Consider allowing students to bring materials from home. Prepare to review safety measures with students as necessary.

Distribute and read aloud the appropriate procedure sheet to students.

Research a Science Topic

1. Choose an unanswered question or phenomenon.

2. Research the topic.

3. Prepare a presentation that answers the question or explains the phenomenon.

4. Present your findings to the class.

Carry Out an Investigation

1. Choose an unanswered question or phenomenon.

2. Design an investigation to answer the question or explore the phenomenon. Your teacher must approve the investigation.

3. Carry out your investigation. Follow all safety measures your teacher reviews with you.

4. Present your findings to the class.

Lesson 5 Extension | Solar System

Working individually, students research Earth and another planet in the Solar System. Then students compare Earth with the other planet.

PREPARATION

As necessary, curate resources for student research. Provide students with access to research materials.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Research and Compare Planets

1. Choose a planet other than Earth to research. Write the name of the planet:

2. Research the planet you chose. In the chart, record your findings.

3. Research Earth. In the chart, record your findings. Chosen Planet Earth

Describe the planet’s environment.

Describe the planet’s surface. Record interesting facts about the planet.

4. Compare Earth with the planet you researched. How are the planets similar? How are the planets different?

5. Share your findings with the class.