Thursday, 29 February 2024

Wireless Thermometers


 The @pascoscientific thermometers are probably one of the most useful items of kit that we have. Used virtually every day in one experiment or another, they are more unbreakable than the glass analogue ones, and the students can read the values. What is there not to like.

Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Solving Quadratics


 Solving Quadratics using the formula on paper as a surd and then converting the answer to a decimal in the calculator, using the formula typed into the calculator, or using the polynomial solver. I teach all three and let the students decide the most appropriate to use when needed.

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Eclipse


Using a Tellurium to demonstrate an eclipse. Why doesn't an eclipse happen every month, and how the moon's phases work. Being able to see the moon's orbit and then the size to scale dispels many of the preconceived ideas the students have of space.

Monday, 26 February 2024

Translation


 Translation of RNA to Proteins is one of the hardest concepts and mechanisms for students to understand. Using the @Molymod molecules, the students can visualise and play with the models to improve their understanding.

Sunday, 25 February 2024

Keyword Variables

Dependent variable is the variable of which the value is measured for each and every change in the independent variable. 

Independent variable is the variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator

Saturday, 24 February 2024

Adder


 Computing understanding Boolean logic gates. We created an adder using some logic software and turning tumbles, as well as creating the circuit using a BBC Microbit controlling physical chips to light LEDs - at this scale, a computer chip would be miles across.

Friday, 23 February 2024

Burning Candles

Which candle will go out first when we put the beaker on top? Is it the volume of the stacking candles making the flame go out, or is it the height?  Height made a difference. The high candle always went out first with the same volume used up. Why might that be? All big problems for year 8 chemistry.




 

Doppler Rocket

Demonstrating the Doppler effect with the @pascoscientific Doppler Rocket: As the rocket moves away, students can hear the pitch drop (red s...