Friday, September 25, 2009

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 25 - Oct. 1

Students have been applying the concept of density to an objects ability to float or sink. This week students were challenged to make a film canister float, sink and hover in a beaker of water. Some of the results can be seen below.









Just a little more water.
















That should be about right.















Wait, it's supposed to sink!










Next week students will be concentrating on safety and the scientific method in science.
See you then.



There is an opportunity for extra credit for students this Saturday, Oct. 3. Students can visit the Downers Grove Sanitary District and take the tour from 9:00 am - noon on Saturday. Tours start every 20 minutes and upon completion, students will receive a certificate of attendance and bring that in to show to me next week.
Address: DGSD
5003 Walnut Ave.
Downers Grove
The location is three blocks north of Maple Ave. at the Burlington railroad tracks.




































Friday, September 18, 2009

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 18 - 24

Students are continuing their work learning about and using various science equipment. This week they worked on the concept of density and measured volumes and mass in order to calculate density of different objects. Next week they will be working on my "Unknown Specimen Lab" in which they will determine the density of nine blocks and determine from what material they are made of. More to follow.

Below are some pictures of measuring lab specimens.


Finding the mass of a block.












"I know our calculations are correct".

"What do you think it measures"?

Friday, September 11, 2009

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 11 - 17

Students have been working on metric units this past week and in the upcoming week will be introduced to the Triple Beam Balance and they will learn how to operate it in relation to the mass of objects.


During the Open House Curriculum Night this week at Lakeview, Mrs. Snodgrass and her twin Mr. Urbas are seen posing for the upcoming "Twin days".

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Urbas - Science Week of Sept. 4 - 10.

Students have been busy this week with metric measurements and working on area problems. They will be using these units throughout their years at Lakeview and beyond.

This week they are adding volume measurements and will be working on labs that require them to make accurate measurements in centimeters and millimeters. The big assignment this week will be to determine the volume of our classroom. Stay tuned.