Students can learn about the size of the sun and moon through hands-on activities.
The most memorable lessons students will learn in science are usually lessons involving hands-on activities. Some of the physical science topics to consider for memorable projects cover such topics as weather, water, astronomy, motion and force, energy and conservation, various types of waves and light, electricity, chemistry and geology.
Measure the Diameter of the Sun and Moon
Using a pinhole and a ruler you can help students discover calculate the diameter of the sun and moon. Cut a square hole, approximately two or three centimeters across, in the middle of a piece of cardboard. Place aluminum foil over the hole. Make a small pinhole in the foil. With the sun or moon's rays shining through the hole, project an image of the pinhole on the wall or a piece of paper. Divide the diameter of the image by the distance from the pinhole to the image. This is equal to the diameter of the sun, divided by the distance of the sun to the earth (approximately 93 million miles).
Create a Primitive Solar Cell
Environmental conservation is a responsible lesson to teach to high school science students. Students can learn build a simple solar cell that produces electricity through chemical interactions using two pieces of copper flashing. Have students "cook" a piece of copper about three inches wide and four inches tall, for one-half hour on an electric burner turned on to the maximum temperature. Allow the copper to cool to room temperature. Cut a plastic jar in half and bend the copper curved to the shape of the plastic jar. The burnt copper is placed standing up in the jar. A new piece of copper is similarly placed in the plastic jar on the opposite side. Students add a salt water solution to the plastic jar. When in the sunlight, this produces electricity, which students will discern using a small multimeter.
Fossil Fuels and Biomass Encergy
Students can research and present information on fossil fuels, such as how much fossil fuel energy the United States uses and when it might exhaust that supply. They can create a presentation display. They can also research renewable energy. One type of renewable energy is called biomass energy. When you pile up grass clippings in your yard, the decomposition of the grass creates energy. Students grow two types of grasses, miscanthus giganteus, typically used for manufacturing ethanol fuel, and switchgrass. Students determine which grass produces more energy by weighing clippings of both grasses when newly cut and both when dry. The grass clippings which lost the largest percentage of weight, released the most energy. This provides a real-life example for students in one way to conserve the Earth's natural resources.
How Magnetic Field Affects Rate of Water Flow
Students can learn how magnetic fields affect the rate of water flow using a permanent magnet. Students use two types of water, fresh water and salt water. Put 200 milliliters of water into a water cylinder that slowly drips into a burette, or cuplike dish, underneath. Measure the time it takes the water to flow out of the cylinder for both types of water. Then place magnets on either side, right under the opening of the cylinder. This creates a magnetic field directly under the opening of the hole in the cylinder. Measure the time it takes the water to flow out of the cylinder for both the fresh and salt water. Repeat the experiment five times and average the results. Students will learn that the salt solution has a lower flow rate than fresh tap water when subjected to a magnetic field.
Tags: salt water, Students learn, water flow, cylinder both, flow cylinder, flow cylinder both
