Today in science class, we are learning about the proportion of the moon and earth and how they relate. Mr.Musselman broke us up into groups, and we started this activity. We’ve learned that the Earth is about 4 times larger then the moon. To do this we broke up into groups and got a box of clay. Mr.Musselman told us to make two balls. We had to make them what we thought would be the sizes of the moon and earth. These represent the Earth and moon. -Sara H. and Kate A.-
Once students had made their predictions about the size of the moon and Earth, they recorded their predictions diameters in tables such as the one above. We took this opportunity to discuss the accuracy of measurements and how calculations may only be done to the most precise measurement capable of being measured with the tools used. Students were then given the actual dimensions of our Earth and Moon models in the following way:
We had to make 50 small balls, all the same size and beautifully rounded and perfect. Then he told us to smash all of them except for one together, leaving 1 small perfect, beautifully rounded ball, left as the moon. The 49 that we smashed together represents the Earth. -Sara H. + Kate A.-
Tonight’s homework is to read the following article from NASA summarizing the recent discoveries of the LCROSS mission to the moon. Your objectives are to:
1) Read NASA article on LCROSS moon water discovery
2) Answer the questions found below
A) What was the goal of the LCROSS mission? What did the LCROSS missions learn about the moon?
B) What part or pieces of the article did you find confusing? What is your best idea for what you believe the article was trying to tell you?
C) How are the discoveries of the LCROSS mission important to humans? What do you feel should be the next steps for NASA to take regarding the moon, if any?
In anticipation to an upcoming research project surrounding the planets of our solar system, it is important that we take some time in class to discuss the seriousness of plagiarism and source citation. To help you better understand what plagiarism is and the steps you can take to avoid it we will be using the upcoming FLEX time to perform a webquest that will help us personally discover these answers. You can find the webquest, created by by following the link here.
On Friday the Musselman Team traveled to the Museum of Science for a day of cross curricular activities and learning. Students first viewed an omni film titled, “Mystic India” that shared an ancient Indian tale about a wandering student of Hindu enlightenment and yoga who shared his message of peace with the people of India. In the afternoon students were treated to a Harry Potter experience where they were to put their understanding of lighting to the test while examining the props and costumes worn by the cast and characters of the Harry Potter films. The remaining time was spent in the musuem’s recently updated permanent exhibits about models, playground science, and outer space just to name a few. The youtube video below shares some of the students experiences within such exhibits and what they learned.
To commemorate Veterans Day, ABC elective students are taking a day off from their regularly scheduled podcast review to listen to their choice of podcast episodes from various historical reference subscriptions that contain US Veteran accounts of their days of service.
“The War” podcast is an offshoot of “The War” PBS documentary directed by Ken Burns. It contains a series of short 2-3 minute video clips of Veteran interviews intertwined with photography from World War II between the Allied Forces and “The Axis of Evil,” Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Imperial Army of Japan. Featured interviews include recounts of enlisting into the armed forces, near brushes with death as a soldier in Europe and prisoner of war in Japan, and even the silent battles of prejudice fought by Veterans of color. Find them here.
Sunset High School’s “Honor by Listening” podcast is an on-going project by students to interview veterans of World War II and the Korean War about their experiences. Find their 20-30 minute audio interviews here.
“In Their Boots” is an online magazine documenting the real life stories of current veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. There are two seasons available to review, download, and play here. Consider watching the “Veteran’s Day Special” episode.
