Akers

Physical Science

What is it?

The study of matter and energy and how they are related.

So, what is matter and what is energy?

The basic subjects of physical science that we are going to study:

Heat
Light
Sound
Motion
Chemistry
Electricity

Even though we do not have a full lab, as yet, I am going to do my best to have a minimum of 60% lab work. Do not be surprised if you just have some fun in this class while you learn a great deal. You will learn science, yes. However, I just use science as a medium to learn how to learn. I am going to give you the opportunity to learn and will introduce different techniques of learning. I hate boring stuff, but I also do realize that for any gain there must be effort. Following is a capsulated rendition of the eighth grade curriculum:

You will have a textbook as a resource. We may use more than one text. But the text will not be the only source of learning or information.

You will have to rely on your notes a great deal, so take many and constantly refer to them and even re-write and reorganize them so that you understand. If you ever have a question, write the question down and ask. (Do not be surprised if I answer your question with a question).

We will have quizzes and tests. Sometimes the quizzes will be surprises. The test dates will always be given at least a week in advance. Some of the test will be open book and some of the test will be lab practicals where you have to work with a team to solve a problem. Because some subjects take longer than others to present, there will be no set time for test or quizzes. I also want to make sure that most of the students have a sound understanding of the material before I evaluate them.

Yes, you will have homework. There may be worksheets, reading, problems to solve or just plain studying. I will minimize your homework to 20-30 minutes each evening. However, for those of you who wish to organize yourselves well, you may not have homework on some evenings.

This will be an interactive classroom. Everyone must be involved with their own learning.

I strongly encourage you to study with a partner or a small team.

MATH!!!!!!!! Oh yes! We do math a lot and yes we will use the metric system. (Please do not be afraid of this….it’s just money).

Language of Science: One of the hardest things for many students is the introduction of new vocabulary. This does not need to be a big hurdle. I will show you how to learn these words so that you do not have to memorize them. You use the words and you know them.

Facts: There are many facts to know. However, facts are just like a big pile of bricks. Bricks alone by themselves are just a pile of bricks. But, when you carefully put them together you can make a house. Facts alone are just a pile of facts. But, when you carefully apply them and see their relationships you learn or develop a new concept or idea. Just like words, if you use facts you will know them.

Following is an example of our first unit:

Motion.

We will learn its definition and how it relates to our world. What is speed, acceleration, deceleration, velocity, force and mass? How do they relate? How do you calculate them.

You will learn the following formulas and see how they are related: S=D/t, D=S X t, t=D/S, ACC=D S/t, pD=C, C/p=D, p=C/D. Do not allow these formulas to confuse or scare you, I have a simple way of showing you how to learn them (but it will take a bit of effort on your part).

Most of the new vocabulary and formulas will be learned through experimentation, and some just from your notes. Our text will be a resource of information. There will be problems to solve, measurements to take, vocabulary and formula quizzes and a written test at the end.

Now the fun part, although I will bet you will have some fun up to this point anyway. I will “learn” you the basics of electricity, how to create a series and parallel circuit, how to create a switch, how to avoid a short circuit, how a bulb works, etc. So…..what does this have to do with motion? I believe that information alone is just information. Now, let us use the information in some practical (fun) way. I am going to have you use some homemade speed tracks to calculate the speed, acceleration and force of three different spheres. And then, with your team, you are to have the sphere travel down the track so that lights go on and off at certain points. Then the sphere must be air-born for at least 18” and fall through a ring. And, as the sphere falls through a ring a buzzer must sound. Do not worry, I will give you plenty of time, 45 minutes. “I just love a challenge, don’t you?” In other words, I will be teaching two subjects at the same time. Do not worry, you will have plenty of time to learn how to do this.

My name is Mr. Akers. I am your new science teacher and I like what I do. I will give you an opportunity to read what my past students have of written about me.

Curriculum Outline

Review and Introduction

Materials Usage
Review of 6th & 7th Grade Concepts: Mass, density, scientific method, lab safety, metric system, scientific notation, converting of units of measure

Motion and Energy

Force and motion
Speed, force, work, acceleration, concepts of simple machines.
Using math to solve problems. Graphing. Newton's law of motion.

Electricity

Series vs. parallel circuits, short circuits, electromagnetism, static electricity

Light

Refraction, reflection, the spectrum, wave theory, colors, optics, perception behavior adaptation

Sound

Wave theory, calculation of speed, production, transmission

Heat Energy

Exchange (conduction, convection, radiation). Specific heat and heat capacity, sources of heat energy.

Structure of Matter

States of matter, structure of the atom, the periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, reactions, chemical identifications, pH.

Earth in the Solar System

Relationship to the Sun and Moon and other Stars. Relative position and size, what makes a year, a day, a long/short day, our temperature differences, weather, the four seasons, eclipses (solar and lunar).