Science

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Science 4/5 Research Topics

  1. Clouds – Why do different clouds form at different heights in the atmosphere? Why do clouds float? Why do clouds turn gray before it rains? What makes clouds form rain? Why do clouds turn black? Describe what stratus, cumulus and cirrus clouds are and how they are different.
  2. Weather instruments – what they do and how they work (wind vane, rain gauge, thermometer, barometer, and anemometer)
  3. Wind – what is wind? Why do we have wind, and how does it get so powerful? How do scientists measure how fast wind is moving? How do scientists measure what direction wind is moving? How important is wind? What can we use wind for
  4. Rain –What is rain? How does it form? Where does it come from? Why do some areas get more rain than others? On average, how much rain do we get in Saskatchewan? How important is rain? What would happen if we had no rain? What would happen if we had too much rain?
  5. The Yorkton Flood of 2010  – What are floods? Why do they occur? Why did a flood occur in Yorkton in 2010? How did it affect people? How can people prepare for a flood?
  6. Hailstorms – what is hail and what are hailstorms? Why do they occur? What kind of damage do they cause? Why do some farmers buy hail insurance?
  7. Droughts – what is a drought? What causes a drought? How do droughts affect people?
  8. 8.     Weather forecasting (predicting weather) – Are we able to predict the weather? If so, how do we find out what the weather in an area will be like? How can we predict the weather one or two days in advance? Are our weather predictions always accurate? How has the behavior of animals been used to predict weather conditions? Why is it important to be able to predict in advance what weather will be like? Explain why forecasting, measuring and understanding weather is important for humans.
  9. Meteorologist career – What is a meteorologist? What kind of work do they do? Would you want to be a meteorologist? Why or why not?
  10. Snow and blizzards – What is snow? How does snow form? Where does it snow the most in Canada? What are blizzards? How do blizzards form? Are blizzard dangerous? How do you stay safe or prepare for a blizzard?
  11. 11.                        Hurricanes – What is a hurricane? How does a hurricane start? How can you be safe while in a hurricane? How do you know when a hurricane is coming? Are hurricanes dangerous? Are there different kinds of hurricanes? When was the first hurricane ever recorded by meteorologists? Where was it? What is the difference between a hurricane and a tornado? How long does it take for a bad storm to turn into a tornado or hurricane? Describe what it is like for people who have been inside the “eye” of a hurricane.
  12. 12.                        Tornadoes – What is a tornado? How are tornadoes formed? What do tornadoes have the shape that they do? How do you know when a tornado is coming? Are there different kinds of tornadoes? Which is more dangerous, a hurricane or a tornado? Why?
  13. 13.                        Tidal waves – what are tidal waves? How are they caused? How does the moon affect tides? How do tidal waves affect people?
  14. The life of a farmer – Describe the life of a farmer and the choices farmers make in response to weather conditions. What are some difficulties or difficult choices that farmers might have to make in a season. Can you share some personal examples from family and friends that you know?
  15. Weather safety – frostbite – what is frostbite? How does someone get it? How serious is it/how might someone feel who has it? What are some safety measures you can take to try to prevent getting frostbite? If you have frostbite, how is it treated? Share a story about someone who got frostbite.
  16. Weather safety – hypothermia — what is hypothermia? How does someone get it? How serious is it/how might someone feel who has it? What are some safety measures you can take to try to prevent getting hypothermia? If you have hypothermia, how is it treated? Share a story about someone who got hypothermia.
  17. Weather safety – heat stroke — what is heat stroke? How does someone get it? How serious is it/how might someone feel who has it? What are some safety measures you can take to try to prevent getting heat stroke? If you have heat stroke, how is it treated? Share a story about someone who got frostbite.
  18.  Research the Canadian Ice Storm of 1998 – Describe the Canadian Ice Storm of 1998. What were some things that happened? Where did it occur? How did it happen? How did it affect people? Share whatever stories you can find.
  19. Country research – You are a world traveller who is going to take an adventure in another country. Choose the country in the world that you would like to travel to and compare it to what weather is like in Canada. Does the country you choose have the same seasons that we do? If not, what seasons does your country have? Why is it different? What time of year has the nicest weather in your country?
  20. Country research – You are a world traveller who is going to take an adventure in another country. Choose the country in the world that you would like to travel to and compare it to what weather is like in Canada. Does the country you choose have the same seasons that we do? If not, what seasons does your country have? Why is it different? What time of year has the nicest weather in your country?
  21. Country research – You are a world traveller who is going to take an adventure in another country. Choose the country in the world that you would like to travel to and compare it to what weather is like in Canada. Does the country you choose have the same seasons that we do? If not, what seasons does your country have? Why is it different? What time of year has the nicest weather in your country?
  22. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the wasp. Research how a wasp makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?
  23. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the frog. Research how a frog makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?
  24. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the black bear. Research how a black bear makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?
  25. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the white-tailed deer. Research how a white-tailed deer makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?
  26. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the ground squirrel (gopher). Research how a ground squirrel (gopher) makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?
  27. Animal research – Many animals have to cope with different weather conditions in order to survive. Sometimes these are extreme (hot summer days and cold winter nights)! I would like you to study the Big brown bat. Research how a Big brown bat makes choices based on the weather. For example, how does it survive over the winter?

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Science 6 Research Topics

  1. 1.       The Moon’s Changing Face:
    1. Why does the Moon appear to have a changing shape, or phase, as you view it over a month?
    2. What are the scientific names for each of the degrees of orbit (45o, 90o, 180o, 270o, and 360o to the light) of the Moon (the “Moon phases”)?
    3. Does the changing appearance or phase of the Moon follow a pattern? Describe it.
    4. Why can’t we see a lighted Moon at one stage in the cycle?
    5. If you lived on the Moon, would you see phases of Earth?
  1. 2.       The Moon on the Move:
    1. How does the Moon’s appearance change over time?
    2. Does the Moon appear to be a different size when it is rising, when it has fully risen, or when it’s setting?
    3. What features are observable on the moon while standing on earth with binoculars?
    4. How does the Moon appear to move across the sky?
    5. Can you predict when the Moon will be seen in the sky the next day or night? Where will it be in the sky? How can you tell?
  1. 3.       Interesting Facts about the Moon:
    1. How do scientists believe the Moon was formed? Where did it come from?
    2. The Moon has various features on it, describe the following:

i.      Maria

ii.      Terrae

iii.      Rills

iv.      Craters

  1. Have robotic space probes ever been sent to the Moon? When? Why? Explain your answers.
  2. When did people first land on the Moon? Describe it.
  3. If you had to land on the Moon, where do you think the best landing area would be? What features made you believe this would be a good landing site?
  1. 4.       Lunar and Solar Eclipses:
    1. What is a lunar eclipse? What happens during it?
    2. What is a solar eclipse? What happens during it?
    3. What is an umbra and what is a penumbra, and how do these terms relate to eclipses?
    4. What must happen to cause an eclipse of the Sun?
    5. What must happen to cause an eclipse of the Moon?
    6. Which type of eclipse would you notice the least – a solar eclipse or a lunar eclipse? Explain your answer.
    7. During what phase of the Moon could an eclipse of the Sun occur?
    8. During what phase of the Moon could an eclipse of the Moon occur?
    9. A lunar eclipse is longer than a solar eclipse. Give reasons to explain why.
  2. 5.       Mercury
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. Why is the planet Mercury so difficult to see?
  1. 6.       Venus
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. Explain two ways that Venus’s atmosphere  produces some of its major characteristics.
  1. 7.       Earth
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can. Your presentation can focus on why Earth is special and how it is different from other planets.
    2. How does Earth’s atmosphere protect it from meteoroids?
  1. 8.       Mars
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. What colour is the planet Mars, and what causes that colour to occur?
  1. 9.       Jupiter
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. What makes the bands of colour found on Jupiter?
    3. What is the Great Red Spot?
  1. 10.   Saturn
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. Is Saturn heavy? Is it dense? Explain your answer.
  1. 11.   Uranus
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. What is different about how the planet Uranus spins?
  2. 12.   Neptune
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about the planet. You can use notes from class to add to your presentation. Include as many interesting details and pictures about your planet that you can.
    2. Why is Neptune sometimes called a big, blue Popsicle?
  1. 13.   Pluto
    1. your presentation should include interesting facts about Pluto. You can note that Pluto is no longer considered a planet like the others in our solar system. It is now considered a dwarf planet. Include as many interesting details and pictures about Pluto that you can.
    2. Why was Pluto re-categorized as a dwarf planet? Explain the reasoning.
  1. 14.   Comets
    1. What is a comet? What are some famous comets? Include as many interesting details and pictures about comets that you can.
  1. 15.   Meteoroids
    1. What is a meteoroid? What is the most famous meteoroid and why? Include as many interesting details and pictures about meteoroids that you can.
  1. 16.   Asteroids
    1. What is an asteroid? What are some famous asteroids and why? Include as many interesting details and pictures about asteroids that you can.
  1. 17.   The International Space Station (ISS)
    1. Include as many interesting details and pictures about the International Space Station that you can.
    2. What is happening on the ISS right now?
    3. Would you like to travel to the ISS? Why or why not?
  1. 18.   Canadian Astronauts
    1. Choose a Canadian astronaut that has contributed to space science and the technology being used.
  1. 19.   Space exploration
    1. Describe some technological tools and devices needed for space exploration and understanding. Example: space probes, Hubble Space Telescope.
  1. 20.   Living in Space, the New Frontier
    1. Research how astronauts adapt to weightless environments. Do this by researching how astronauts live and survive on the International Space Station.
    2. Examples:

i.      Food – How much and what kind of food might you need for a week? How is it to be packaged? How do you eat it? How do you clean up?

ii.      Rest – What adaptations will you need to make for sleeping? How will you deal with a “night” that might only last an hour?

iii.      Work – How will you be able to stay at your work station? How will you move from experiment to experiment?

iv.      Exercise – What kinds of exercises can you do to keep your muscles from shrinking and weakening? When and how will you do them?

v.      Hygiene – How do you keep clean?

vi.      Other – What adaptations will you need to make so you don’t feel disoriented? How will you keep yourself amused? How will you breathe if you have to work outside the space shuttle?

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Science Videos (Science 4/5) – Weather Unit

1. Antarctica Condition 1 Weather – LINK – June 9, 2011

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Science Videos (Science 7/8)

1. Deer Hide Tanning the Old Fashioned Way – Part 1 (LINK) — April 15, 2011

2. Dirty Jobs: Tanning Hide (LINK) — April 15, 2011

3. How to Make Rock Candy (at home) (LINK)– April 19, 2011

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Science 6 –  (April 6-7, 2011)

Angie Rhodes showed us some neat things during her SaskEnergy presentation:

  1. Facts About Natural Gas video – LINK came from Spectraenergy at LINK
  2. SaskEnergy.com –> Learning Centre –> Student Library –> click on Safety Games (Flash) at LINK
  3. Energyville — do the guided version first, try to get your highest score by trying different strategies each time –>LINK

Science 6 –  (June 1, 2011)

Shevon Wilson from the YFBTA did a presentation about owls and some of their adaptations. Some of her videos:

  1. Ow’s hearing: LINK
  2. Owl’s spiked wings: LINK
  3. Hornby Island Eagle Nest Camera: LINK

Science 6 –  (April 6-7, 2011)

Angie Rhodes showed us some neat things during her SaskEnergy presentation:

  1. Facts About Natural Gas video – LINK came from Spectraenergy at LINK
  2. SaskEnergy.com –> Learning Centre –> Student Library –> click on Safety Games (Flash) at LINK
  3. Energyville — do the guided version first, try to get your highest score by trying different strategies each time –>LINK

Science 6 –  (April 14, 2011)

Russ Thies, Lucas’s dad, came in today to share some of his electricity knowledge:

  1. Showing the principles behind electromagnetism
  2. Powering an LED
  3. Made a voltaic cell and measured the voltage of a battery made from shaved copper pennies interspaced by paper towel dampened in vinegar
  4. Showed video links: LINK (Dancers generate lighting), LINK (Tesla coil music)
  5. Split the group in two with half working with Russ (powering a lightbulb with 1.5V batteries in series) and the others with Zoe who showed her battery-powered circuit and fan-powering device that she purchased at the variety store

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Science 7/8

Go to the following websites and write down what you learn about heat and what you learn about the kinetic molecular theory!!

Site #1: LINK (Convection, Conduction & Radiation)

Site #2: LINK (Phases of matter)

Site #3: LINK (How atoms are affected by Heat)

Site #4: LINK (The History of the Thermometer)

Science Videos (Science 7/8)

1. Deer Hide T


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