Greenhouse Effect Investigation

Posted by David Wetzel

Greenhouse Effect

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 effect works.

Greenhouse Experiment

Materials: 2 Thermometers and 1 Large Seal-able Plastic Bag

Procedures:

1. Place one thermometer in the plastic bag and seal the bag.
2. Record the beginning air temperature in the bag.
3. Place the plastic bag in direct sunlight.
4. Place the second thermometer next to the bag.
5. Record the temperature of the second thermometer.
6. Wait 15 minutes and record the temperature on both thermometers.
7. Wait 15 more minutes and record the temperatures again.

Questions for Students:

1. What observations did they make?
2. What was the role of the plastic bag in this experiment?
3. What did the thermometer inside the plastic bag measure?
4. What was the cause of the temperature increase in the plastic bag?
5. What was the effect of the temperature increase in the plastic bag?
6. What could they do to lower the temperature of the air inside the plastic bag?
7. How can they compare the effects of caused by the temperature increase inside the plastic bag, with the greenhouse effect the earth is undergoing now?
8. Other questions will develop as the discussion continues.

Resources

Understanding Scientific Inquiry

Problem Solving and Science Process Skills

Questions to Ask Students in Science Projects

Greenhouse Effect Animation

Using Twitter in Science and Math Class

Posted by David Wetzel

Teachers work in the solitude of their classrooms, interrupted with occasional chances to talk with other teachers during the day. Twitter is an online technological tool which can break down the rigid classroom schedule barriers and allow teachers and students to collaborate.

Twitter has evolved into something beyond a trendy technology tool, avoiding the worry many teachers have about getting caught in a new flash-in-the-pan idea.

Strategy for Using Twitter in Math Class

Collecting Data for Geometric Analysis

• Students collect information from students located in other schools regarding the dimensions of their classroom, desks, number of students, and other objects in the room which take up floor space.
• Then students develop geometric representations of these classrooms, to determine which classroom has the greatest and least amount of square footage per student.
• Students then share their results with all participants.

Strategy for Using Twitter in Science Class

Where in the World are You?

• Introduce your class to the features of Google Earth by asking your Twitter network for a small amount of location specific information.
• Challenge your class to find the teachers who have replied with location information.
• Try to gather some evidence that you have found them - name on football field, distinct shape of building, or other features to prove they have been found.
• Reply with this information.
• Use different Google Earth layers of information to help with the search.

Allows students to have a concrete experience with the power of Twitter & Google Earth for finding information.

Resources

Using Twitter to Break Down Classroom Isolation

Science Investigations Using Google Earth

Middle School Google Earth Projects

Google Earth

Twitter Handbook for Teachers

Twit Poll

Twitter Group - Math Teachers (one of many to select from)

Twitter Group - Science Teachers (one of many to select from)