MIS Science News 08/06/2012

Dear Parents,

Our class is beginning our first science unit of the year, the Variables Module in the FOSS science program. 

The big ideas in this module are system and variable. Any collection of objects that is working together is identified as a system.  The systems your child will be using in this module are pendulums, boats, windup airplanes, and little catapult systems called flippers. In each system the interacting parts influence how the whole system behaves or performs.  If the parts of the system can change, those parts capable of change are called variables.  An understanding of the idea of a variable and the ability to identify and control variables are the cornerstone of scientific experimentation.

Here’s an example. The pendulum students use is made from a piece of string, a paper clip, a penny, a bit of tape, and a pencil.  When hung from the pencil and put into motion, the penny, held by the string and paper clip, swings back and forth.  The number of swings can be counted, and that number is the outcome of our experiment.  The length of the string can vary, as can the mass of the system, the point from which the penny is released, and the length of time the swings are counted. Which variables influence the number of swings? And how does the answer to that question help us get a slow grandfather clock to run on time?  That’s one of the challenges we’ll be tackling in this Variables Module.

Your child may bring home one or more sheets called home/school connections. On them you will find suggestions for activities you can do at home with the whole family.  They will give you a glimpse into the kinds of investigations we’ll be undertaking in our classroom.  If you have any questions or comments, please call or come in to visit our class.

Mr. Ellars
Maxwell Intermediate School
326-3121 / jellars@gcsc.k12.in.us
http://maxsci.blogspot.com/