Conduct earth science projects for your students to enhance learning.
The middle school years are an excellent time to get your students excited about earth science. If you feel that your students are still reluctant to get involved during class, a great idea is to have your students conduct earth science projects in order to spark their interest and curiosity. Projects can range from rock experiments to weather experiments as long as your students are learning while having fun that is what is most important.
Frozen Rock
Rocks around the planet are weathered in various ways; by wind, rain, rivers and rock slides. But rocks are also broken down by freezing and thawing. When water freezes, it expands. So when your students conduct this experiment they should notice how submerged rocks in water will cause cracks when frozen. Provide for your children several different rocks such as granite, limestone and sandstone and a container with water. Allow students to make predictions on which rocks they think will break the most then conduct the experiment. Put the container with the rocks and water into the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight. The next day in class, let the rocks thaw and observe the rocks with your students. Then re-freeze the container. Repeat this three times throughout the week and have your students make observations.
Convection Current
Have your students conduct this experiment to observe the convection cycle of hot air. As heat rises, it gradually begins to cool, moving its molecules closer together, which causes it to sink. Teach your students this convection cycle of currents before starting this experiment. The best way for your students to observe and understand this cycle is in water so you will need a large beaker, small cup, food coloring, plastic wrap, water and rubber band to complete this test. Begin by filling the small cup with almost boiling water, adding several food coloring drops. Then stretch the plastic wrap over the cup, sealing it with the rubber band. Next, fill the beaker to the top with cold water and set the cup into the beaker using tongs. Using a knife cut the plastic and have your students observe the science of convection.
Sea Breeze
Teach your students about the powerful force of air pressure in this experiment about sea breezes. Test with your students to see what happens when a low-pressure and high-pressure zone are right next to each other. You will need two metal cooking pans, ice, sand and a candle. You should conduct this experiment in an area away from drafts and open windows. Test to make sure there are no drafts by lighting a candle and observing it float straight upward. Pour sand into one of the cooking pans, and then cook it in the oven at 300 degrees for five to eight minutes. Fill the other cooking pan with ice and put the two cooking pans side by side. Place the candle between the two pans, light it once again and blow it out. Have your students predict then observe where the direction of the smoke will flow.
Fumaroles & Escaping Steam
Conduct an experiment in your classroom with your students in order to observe fumaroles and why they produce steam. You will need a medium saucepan, water, a tin pan, hammer, nail, oven mitts and a stove to complete this experiment. Fill the saucepan half way with water and place it on the stove, heating it to almost boiling. Turn the tin pan over and puncture a small hole in the back with a nail and hammer. Put on your oven mitts and place the tin pan directly over the saucepan. Allow your children to observe what is taking place. Lift the tin pan off the hot saucepan -- never lift the tin pan away from you or else the hot steam will be directed toward you, and could potentially burn someone. Once the tin pan is off the saucepan, puncture another hole in the tin, away from the first hole (leaving the first hole open). Have your students make observations. Continue this four times and allow your kids to make predictions before each new hole is made.
Tags: your students, this experiment, away from, conduct this, conduct this experiment, cooking pans