David Wetzel on February 1st, 2010

The following are discrepant events that does not turn out as expected.
These anomalies challenge students’ beliefs and makes them more receptive to learning what you want them to learn.
Alcohol and Water Miscibility: Discrepant Event
Miscibility means how completely two or more liquids dissolve in each other.
Materials Needed per Group: two 50 mL beakers, 0ne 100 mL [...]

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David Wetzel on July 5th, 2009

These are the top five posts visited during the past week my visitors to this blog.
I would like to thank all the subscribers to my Teach Science and Math Newsletter, new subscribers this week, and all those who visit and find the information useful.
Another week is about to begin and the following are the here [...]

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David Wetzel on June 4th, 2009

The use of games in science involves minds-on science, logic, reasoning, and problem solving skills to complete the game. The challenging aspect of any games in science is to ensure that questions cause students to link terms and concepts with each other to ensure students develop a better understanding.
When connections are made in science, students [...]

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David Wetzel on May 14th, 2009

Rock Erosion caused by Plants
When plants grow in soil-filled cracks of rocks, their roots may push on the sides of the crack, widening it and eventually breaking the rock apart.
Materials:

milk carton or similar disposable container
scissors
plaster of paris
bean seeds

Procedure:

Cut the top off of a milk carton to form a container about 2½ inches high.
Prepare plaster of [...]

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David Wetzel on May 5th, 2009

Greenhouse effect is the a current science event that discussed widely at all levels of education and beyond. Often students have a basic knowledge of the greenhouse effect; however, many just nod their heads and pretend they know and understand.
I have developed a simply experiment that gives students hands-on, minds-on experience with how the greenhouse [...]

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David Wetzel on January 21st, 2009

Students need to learn how to write about science topics, because science writing is more technical than other writing styles.
This is important for completing science investigations or writing detailed descriptions about scientific events, animals, techniques, etc.
The following is an example lesson of how to write about science:
Crocodiles
Provide students with access to the Internet, books, and [...]

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David Wetzel on January 20th, 2009

The primary moisture sources in the United States are the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Winds around high- and low-pressure systems transport this moisture inland.
Once the moisture is in place, clouds still need to form. The most effective way for this to occur is for the air to be lifted. [...]

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David Wetzel on September 27th, 2008

Science mysteries are a great way for students in grades 5 - 12 to  become actively involved in the science learning process. They are presented with real life science problems and they have to use all their science content knowledge and resources available to them to solve the problem.
Science mysteries use the all the attributes of the scientific [...]

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David Wetzel on September 24th, 2008

When I was teaching one of my students’ favorite events in science was when they would be challenged with discrepant events. So what are discrepant events? 
It is something that surprises, startles, puzzles, or astonishes the students as they observe the event.
 
Often, a discrepant event is one that does not appear to follow basic “rules of [...]

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