E.A.S.Y Science Projects

E.A.S.Y.

Experience Active Science Yourself

This is a long term project to give you an opportunity to do science activities at home related to your interests.

All sections underlined, in bold, large font MUST be turned in.

Quarter 1 Options

Watch the Swifts

1. Come to Chapman School in NW Portland in September. (LOJ folks are coming  Friday 9/23/11)

2. Write a Paper about the Swifts

3. The paper should be 3 paragraphs.

a. Introduction: Tell us about the swifts, where they live, why they nest in chimneys, what they eat.  

b. Observation:  Tell us what you saw, include details (describe flight patterns, the time they started diving, amount of light)

c. Conclusion:  Summarize what you saw, come up with a research question you could pursue, if you choose to make more observations, describe how you would collect the data to answer this question.  

AMP—Use Google scholar to find a research article related to chimney swifts and include this in your conclusion.

Go to the Oregon Mycological Society Fall Show (Fungi Fest)

1. Go to the Show Sunday October 9th 2011 at The World Forestry Center (over by the

 zoo and Children’s Museum)

2. Write a paper about the experience.

3. The paper should be 3 paragraphs.

a. Introduction: Tell us background information about mushrooms (fungus)  (This may require research) What do mushrooms do in forests, where are they commonly found, what are some uses for mushrooms?

b. Observation:  Describe 3-4 mushrooms you saw at the show, include names, identifying characteristics

c. Conclusion:  Summarize what you saw, come up with a research question you could pursue if you choose to go into the field, describe how you would collect the data to answer this question.  

AMP—Use Google scholar to find a research article related to chimney swifts and include this in your conclusion

Watch it Rot 2 weeks

Choose an item to leave out and let rot.  You will want to choose something that will rot: (an over ripe strawberry, a banana (maybe ½ peel, ½ unpeeled), damp tea leaves will mold quickly, moist bread rubbed on a dusty countertop). Talk to us about more possibilities.  

1. Journal of observations.

1. Write a short observation every other day.  It might be as simple as “no change today”
2. The journal must be two weeks with each entry dated.

2. Take a photograph for each journal entry.  You should include the photos with the journal.

3. Write a paragraph that sums up what you observed.  What did you see, why do you think this might have happened, what would happen if you let this experiment continue for another 2 weeks.  

AMP option: take more photos (every day morning and night) organize into an animation.  You can use a program like istopmotion or online gickr.com, there are likely others.

        

Build a Bird Feeder and Watch it 1 1/2-2 weeks

1. Design and build your birdfeeder.
2. Fill it with feed.
3. Observe birds coming to the feeder over the course of 2 weeks.  
4. Keep a list by the feeder to try and count number of birds and if possible the type.  If you cannot figure out what type of bird it is, you will need to describe it.  Turn this list in.
5. Take photos of the feeder and birds at the feeder.
6. Turn in a front view and side view of the feeder.  It should be drawn with a ruler and include the measurements of all sides.  

AMP        Choose a type/types of birds you would like to attract to a bird feeder.

Research the feeder design and type of food you will need to provide to attract this type of bird.  

        

Product testing 1 weeks

Pick a brand of household product and test how well it performs against at least two other brands. (Examples: paper towels, toilet paper, stain removers)

Turn in a science write-up:  Follow the yellow guidelines in your journal.  Background, Hypothesis, Procedure, Data Table, Graph, Conclusion.)

        

Read a science fiction novel 3-4 weeks

a. You should choose science fiction that involves ideas in science (this is different from fantasy and adventure).  Examples include:  Jurassic Park, Andromeda strain, Prey, Brave New World, Frankenstein, I Robot, The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, Enders Game, Books by Isaac Asimov

Be sure to OK the book with me before beginning.  

1. Write a book report including:

1. A summary of the book

2. Descriptions of scientific ideas that are important in the book

3. Explanation of what you liked and didn’t like about the book

4. Finally explain your thoughts on what the future holds for this area of science.  

5. Use the LOJ standard format guidelines for spacing, font etc.

Draw scientific illustrations of objects found in nature near your house. 3-4 days

You need to understand what a scientific illustration is before undertaking this assignment.  See the examples here or on the back wall of Mr. Mylet’s classroom

1. Scientific illustrations are carefully drawn to show important details of natural objects.  
2. You need to draw at least 5 objects and add color using pencils or paint.
3. You need to label each object that is drawn with common and scientific name.  
4. This option should only be chosen if you have some artistic ability.

Create an original science video. 2-3 days

You may work with ONE partner from any 7th grade class for this.

1. Make a video that is between 3-5 minutes.
2. You must be demonstrating a concept in science, you can see a list of possible science concepts from the state of Oregon. Good concepts start on page 9-11.
3. You need turn in an outline of the video, describe what will be in each scene.
4. You need to show me the video on YouTube, DVD or VHS.

AMP:  List the science content as stated in the Oregon Science Standards and make a 5 questions quiz to be given to the class after watching the video.