November 30/Dec 1 - quiz and survey links, plus HW

Today we'll be talking about code of conduct and such. In that spirit I would like you to give me some feedback on how I've been doing on the Teacher Code of Conduct we set at the start of the year.

The survey link is HERE
Its anonymous of course, so be honest!

In case you've misplaced it, HERE is the link to the regular quiz page, where we will be taking 4.1 today.

The homework is to read 4.2 and prepare for a quiz.

Assignment for November 28/29

Hello everyone!

First, the basic homework for next class is to read 4.1 and prepare for a quiz.

Also, at this point students can begin working on getting our first big Measurement topic quizzes out of the way. Some students may be able to take these tests much sooner than others, with a small amount of extra prep work. These quizzes measure specific measurement topic content, (like knowing what potential energy is) rather than the skills we practice in class, such as problem solving or engineering.

I have created a web page to keep things organized:

MEASUREMENT TOPICS QUIZ PAGE.

Go there and check it out. Feel free to try a quiz for practice and to see how much you already know, but only "official" attempts in class count.

November 17/18 - Quiz Link

We'll be taking the quiz on potential and kinetic energy today. As a reminder, HERE is the link to the quiz page. Book mark it if you haven't. If you need to create a new account because you forgot the pass word or the like the class code is KEPRM763

Egg Car Test Dates

The Egg Car Test Dates are as follows:

First Test

White Day November 21
Red Day November 22

Second Test
Red Day November 28
White Day November 29

You need a car ready to go for each of these trials. The criteria (rubric) can be found HERE.
One common problem is making your car too wide. Remember that the track is only 3" wide, so a car more than 2" wide is not available.

In Class work for November 9/10

First, take the quiz (3.3).
HERE is the page for all quizzes now. Bookmark it if you haven't.
Need to create an account (either because you were absent or lost your username/password)?
Go HERE and use the class code KEPRM763


Second, Choose one of the following to work on:

Problem Solving: Go to the white binders on the back table and work on problems from 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 - Goal: Complete 6 problems. Remember you must show the problem solving method (looking for, given, equation), all work, and correct units at every step to earn a stamp.
Problems in 2.2 and 3.1 are "2 Level" primarily
Problems in 3.2 and 3.3 are "3 level" with some "4 Level" skills in places.

Learn about kinetic and Potential Energy in depth using a simulation- go to explorelearning.com (bookmark it). Login as "physicsfirst" - Password 123456 Click on the "Roller Coaster Physics" gizmo. Download the "Student guide". Follow the directions and answer the questions. Make notes of what you can include in your lab report - this is great stuff for your introduction and can give you ideas for your conclusion as well. Goal: Answer all questions on student guide for a Lab Work stamp.

Work on the Engineering Standard. Create drawings for 3 different egg cars. For each, be sure it has a "Theme", a "Crumple Zone", a "Safety Cage" and a "Restraint System". These should be rough sketches. Please post your sketches on the wall. You can then narrow down your ideas to a single one to build and create a "Scale Drawing", using a scale of 2:1, meaning the drawing is twice as big as the real car. Be sure to measure an egg so you can draw it in at the right size, and the wheels as well. Once you have an approved plan, you can start working on making it.

Hands on Work - Do lab 3A, which involves crashing cars on the track and observing the result. Directions are in the soft cover lab books. Complete all data tables and answer all questions with your group. This earns you lab work stamps, and if you can complete it independently, thats a "4 Level" skill. Quiz afterwards, link available soon.

Egg Car Video Assignment - Due Nov 16/17

First, if you were absent Monday (Nov 7th) or Tuesday (Nov 8th), you need to watch the video we saw in class (22 minutes), which is HERE. Its on the Physics of Car Crashes.

Second, we need to explore new science concepts - Potential and Kinetic Energy, plus Work.

Please watch the following Eureka Episodes:
First about "Work" - which is what energy does, or what you do to transform energy.

Second, about Kinetic Energy.

Third about Potential Energy.

Now you have a choice. Either watch the advanced video HERE,
OR, write or draw a one page summary of what you've learned.

Either way, there will be a quiz on this material.

Engineering Trade Offs (Homework for Nov. 7/8)

Here are the details on the assignment we started in class (to be finished at home), in case you've forgotten.

Select a vehicle to analyze - your favorite car, your least favorite truck, an interesting design you've heard of, even an ATV or motorcycle.

For the design of your vehicle, identify the "Trade offs" made in its design. Trade offs are not quite the same as pros and cons. A trade off is a decision an engineering makes that has both positive and negative results. Example:

A high ground clearance gives good off road ability and helps in some kinds of crashes, but results in worse millage and makes a vehicle more likely to roll over.

Thus the designers of the Jeep Cherokee made a trade off - higher clearance for off roading, but less fuel economy and less stability.

Engineers make all kinds of trade offs in every design. Try to explain at least 3 for your vehicle.

Lab Report Rubric (Nov 3/4)

We've been working on a lab report for the Marble Wars this last week (due Nov 3/4). I've gotten an electronic version of the Rubric, which is HERE.