Sunday, November 16, 2008

Concordance of Nuclear Energy and State Science Standards


Hi All,

Finally, the concordance for the PAN Underground workshop topics. Please see below:

Standards Concordance: South Dakota Science Content Standards http://doe.sd.gov./contentstandards/, Nebraska Standards http://www.nde.state.ne.us/ndestandards/AcademicStandards.htm and the National Science Education Standards http://www.nap.edu/html/nses/overview.html#content

Workshop Activity Description/Content Standards Alignment

Day 1

The ABC's of Radioactivity: Dr. McMahan Norris's introductory lecture on radiation. Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation discussed, as well as the spectrum of non ionizing radiation. Introduction to properties of elemental stability and isotopes. Radiation Shielding. Human-made elements.

SD: 9-12.P.1.5. Students are able to distinguish among chemical, physical, and nuclear changesNE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms togetherNSES: Structure of matter, structure of atoms

Online Activities: Introduction to www.chicos.caltech.edu. Completed and discussed uses for several online cosmic ray activities (Hess's balloon ride, angle detector).

SD: 9-12.N.1.2. Students are able to describe the role of observation and evidence in the development and modification of hypotheses, theories, and laws. SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. NE: Formulate questions and identify concepts that guide scientific investigations.NE: 12.3.6 Investigate and understand that all waves possess and transfer energy. Investigate and understand that the energy of waves can be changed into other forms of energy, just as other forms of energy can be transformed into wave energy.

Introduction to radiation detectors and hands-on radioactivity. Ambient radiation levels tested. Variety of experiments done using different sources of radiation at different levels of shielding and distance. Half life and distance equation experiments. Measurement of some common radioactive items. First intro to Vernier Labquest to analyze data.

SD: 9-12.N.1.2. Students are able to describe the role of observation and evidence in the development and modification of hypotheses, theories, and laws. SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. NE: 12.2.1 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquiryNE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms togetherNSES: Structure of matter, structure of atomsNE: 12.5.3 Predict when rocks were formed by using known decay rates of radioactive isotopes in rocks.

Day 2

The ABC's of Radioactivity, a Chemistry Perspective: Dr. Miles Koppang. Review of basic atomic structure and how avg. atomic weights calculated. Balancing nuclear processes. C-14 production/dating. Isotopic labeling to monitor experiments. The kinetic isotope effect (rate effect in reaction).

SD: 9-12.P.1.1. Students are able to use the Periodic Table to determine the atomic structure of elements, valence number, family relationships, and regions
SD: 9-12.P.1.5. Students are able to distinguish among chemical, physical, and nuclear changes.
NE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms together
NSES: Structure of matter, structure of atoms
NE: 12.5.3 Predict when rocks were formed by using known decay rates of radioactive isotopes in rocks

The Detection of Radiation: Dr. Dong Ming Mei. Review of nucleus and orbiting electrons. Explanation of symbols commonly used to express mass number and atomic number/ how isotopes are expressed. Discussed units of radiation such as the Currie. Discussed what is considered to be safe levels of radiation. Spoke of radon and its detection.

SD: 9-12.P.1.1. Students are able to use the Periodic Table to determine the atomic structure of elements, valence number, family relationships, and regionsSD: 9-12.P.1.5. Students are able to distinguish among chemical, physical, and nuclear changes.NE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms together

Detection of radioactive elements via their gamma emission (Dr. Mei)
SD: 9-12.N.1.2. Students are able to describe the role of observation and evidence in the development and modification of hypotheses, theories, and laws. NE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms togetherNE: 12.3.6 Investigate and understand that all waves possess and transfer energy.

Cloud Chambers: Used to visualize alpha radiation.
SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. NE: 12.2.1 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquiryNSES: Design and conduct scientific investigationsSD: 9-12.N.2.2. Students are able to practice safe and effective laboratory techniques.

Teacher developed activities: Tracing the path of a cosmic ray; measuring angle of a cosmic ray activity.
SD: 9-12.P.3.2. Students are able to describe how characteristics of waves are related to one another.

Cosmic Ray Detector Construction and explanations on how it works. Scintillaters and prisms. Shielding from ambient radiation.

SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. NE: 12.2.1 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquirySD: 9-12.N.2.2. Students are able to practice safe and effective laboratory techniques.SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.

Day 3

Nuclear Astrophysics and Origin and Fate of the Elements: Dr. McMahan Norris. Topics discussed: Neutron drip level, residual strong force interactions between nucleons, coulomb barrier of charged particles, creation of light elements via fusion in first generation stars, concept of dark matter. Discussion of many unanswered questions.
SD: 9-12.P.1.5. Students are able to distinguish among chemical, physical, and nuclear changes
NE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms together
NSES: Structure of matter, structure of atoms
SD: 9-12.E.2.1A. Students are able to describe the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.
SD: 9-12.E.2.2A. Students are able to describe the physical and nuclear dynamics involved in the formation, evolution, and death of a star.
NE: 12.5.4 By the end of twelfth grade students will develop a scientific understanding of the origin of the universe.
NSES: Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Presentation on Cross-Cutting Applications at Homestake: Dr. Robert Taggert, SDSU: Why is Homestake special (reduced UV, cosmic rays, unique microbes, temp gradient.) Proposed experiments: Biological/electronic low dose effects testing; Underground agriculture/synthetic soils, multiple particle experiments.
SD: 9-12.S.1.2. Students are able to evaluate and describe the impact of scientific discoveries on historical events and social, economic, and ethical issues.SD: 9-12.S.2.1. Students are able to describe immediate and long-term consequences of potential solutions for technological issues.SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.

Teacher Developed Activities: Measuring speed of sound, comparing to speed of light; calculating the energy that a paperclip contains in form of matter, E=mc^2
NE: Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communicationsNE: 12.3.2 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop an understanding of the structure and properties of matter.

Cosmic Ray Detector Construction: Physical construction and circuit board soldering.
SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. SD: 9-12.N.2.2. Students are able to practice safe and effective laboratory techniques.SD: 9-12.P.3.3. Students are able to describe electrical effects in terms of motion and concentrations of charged particles.SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.

Day 4

www.particleadventure.org: The basics of nuclear particles and the forces that govern them. Standard Theory: 6 quarks 6 leptons, force carriers (photons), gravity unexplained. Antimatter. Origin of current state of matter and energy and unanswered questions.

SD: 9-12.P.1.5. Students are able to distinguish among chemical, physical, and nuclear changes.
NE: 12.3.1 Investigate and describe the structure of atoms, Investigate and explain the types of nuclear reactions. Investigate and describe the effect of electrical and nuclear forces which hold atoms together.
NSES: Structure of matter, structure of atoms.
SD: 9-12.E.2.1A. Students are able to describe the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.
SD: 9-12.E.2.2A. Students are able to describe the physical and nuclear dynamics involved in the formation, evolution, and death of a star.
NE: 12.5.4 By the end of twelfth grade students will develop a scientific understanding of the origin of the universe.
NSES: Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy; Dr. Koppang. Observation of both gas-state and liquid state mass spectroscopy. Also observed infrared spectrum of normal water vs. that of deuterinated water.

SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.NE: Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communicationsNSES: Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations

Teacher Developed Activities: Origin of the elements hands-on activity; Snapple bottle electroscope.
SD: 9-12.P.3.3. Students are able to describe electrical effects in terms of motion and concentrations of charged particles.NE: 12.5.4 By the end of twelfth grade students will develop a scientific understanding of the origin of the universe.NSES: Origin and Evolution of the Universe.

Day 5

Physics at Dusel, Dr. Keller: Dark matter hypotheses; big bang hypothesis, Doppler effect, gravitational lensing, MACHOS (black holes, dead stars, other massive "dark" objects); WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles); double beta decay; beyond the Standard Model.

SD: 9-12.S.1.2. Students are able to evaluate and describe the impact of scientific discoveries on historical events and social, economic, and ethical issues.NE: 12.2.1 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquirySD: 9-12.P.3.2. Students are able to describe how characteristics of waves are related to one another.SD: 9-12.E.2.1A. Students are able to describe the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.SD: 9-12.E.2.2A. Students are able to describe the physical and nuclear dynamics involved in the formation, evolution, and death of a star.SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.NE: 12.5.4 By the end of twelfth grade students will develop a scientific understanding of the origin of the universe.NSES: Origin and Evolution of the UniverseNSES: Nature of Science

Finished Cosmic Ray Detector: Discussed Ideas for student activities and experiments. Calibrated for cosmic ray energy level sensitivity
SD: 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations.
NE: 12.2.1 By the end of twelfth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquiry
SD: 9-12.N.2.2. Students are able to practice safe and effective laboratory techniques.
SD: 9-12.P.3.3. Students are able to describe electrical effects in terms of motion and concentrations of charged particles.
SD: 9-12.E.2.3A. Students are able to describe various ways data about the universe is collected.
NSES: Design and conduct scientific investigations

Looking forward to the next PANUnderground workshop!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Deadlines Approaching

High School Physics Teacher Grant Application Deadline Approaching
Each year grant(s) are given to high school physics teachers whose proposal results in a better teaching practice, enhanced student understanding and interest, and/or increased enrollment.

The proposal submissions usually involve innovative ideas such as a new teaching method or an adaptation of an existing idea.

This year’s deadline is December 1, 2008. Details regarding the specifics and content of the proposal can be found at http://www.aapt.org/Grants/hsgrant.cfm

AAPT wants to encourage high school teachers to experiment and improve on their teaching practices. It is the society’s belief that as teaching practice improves, physics enrollment and excitement among students can increase. AAPT hopes that this grant provides the funds to kick start the implementation of these practices.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Science and Education Activity Calendar of Upcoming Events

Oct 30 - Nov 1: NSTA Area Conferen e -- Charlotte , NC
Nov 13: NSTA Web Seminar on Energy & the Environment
Nov 20 - 22 NSTA Area Conference -- Portland, OR
Dec 2, 10, 11
16, 17, 18 NSTA Web seminars
Dec 4 - 6 NSTA Area Conference -- Cincinnati, OH

Remember that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and the Year of Science
Jan 8, 15, 20, 22 NSTA Web Seminars continue
Jan 21 Deadline for Toyota Tapestry grant
Jan 28 Deadline for Toshiba Exploravision

February 5-7 17th Annual Joint Math & Science Conference -- Huron, SD

March 19-22 National NSTA Convention, New Orleans, LA

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Kid's Science Challenge

Please share this information with your fellow elementary teachers:

The Kids' Science Challenge is an NSF funded nationwide competition for third to sixth graders. Students learn about science and engineering in four categories: Flavor Science, Water Quality, Skateboard Engineering, and the Search for Life in Outer Space (SETI). They enter the competition by coming up with an experiment or a problem for the scientists and engineers to solve. Entries are judged on originality. Winning entries receive cool prizes and get to collaborate with the scientists to turn their ideas into realities. The first 1000 entries receive free science activity kits.

The deadline for entries is January 31, 2009.
The website http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com has videos, games, activities, curriculum, entry applications and many other resources, including a social network and "virtual world" where students can chat live with KSC scientists.

Students can enter the Kids Science Challenge as individuals, or collaborative team entries, mentored by teachers in school science clubs. Mentor guidelines are on the website.

Friday, October 10, 2008

South Dakota Science Safety Survey

This survey is designed for SD teachers of science K-12th grade. Please take a few moments to complete this survey. We are interested in your safety training and practices in order to serve you better. Your comments and suggestions are very welcomed. You will find the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Nbzw_2bvbKdqZp5Bs6CK8U9A_3d_3d
Thank you.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Discussion Area for Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy and Year of Science 2009, first Web Seminar -- A Star's Life

We invite you to the NSTA/NSDL Web Seminar September 25th, at 5 pm CST (you must register first but it's free) at http://nsta.org

Please pose questions and suggest resources on this and other science topics on this space. Welcome.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

South Dakota Science Education Wiki


New SD Sciece Education Wiki created for YOU! Share your questions, information, concerns and science teaching needs with each other. Post there and add your thoughts successes and challenges .
Suggest resources, links and teaching tips, here on our blog.
We are all in this together so let's help each other learn and grow in science!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Celebrating Astronomy:A Star's Life Web Seminar Sept 25, 2008

Brought to you by the National Science Teacher's Association and the National Science Digital Library along with the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Physical Society and the American Astronomical Society -- in Celebration of the International Year of Astronomy and the Year of Science 2009 -- a FREE Web Seminar on the life of stars and their life stories.

Sign up soon at http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL3/Webseminar1.aspx

Watch for more seminars from NASA, NSTA and NSDL!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Phillip Millard and Terresa Greenleaf Present Nuclear Energy Workshop at USD Governor's Camp

Thanks, Terresa and Phillip for an inspiring nuclear energy workshop you held for high school students on the University of South Dakota Campus, July 24, 2008. Student traced the origins of particles and their interactions, discussed nuclear issues with each other and the instructors. This workshop followed the PAN Underground workshop for teachers also held at USD June 9-13, 2008. This teacher workshop was funded by a grant from the DUSEL/SUSEL Project. Funding and materials for the inaugural year of PAN Underground wasprovided by the State of South Dakota, the U.S. Department of Energy,Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the American Physical Society Forum onEducation, and the Contemporary Physics Education Project.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Skype Tutorial for Online Audio and Video Communication

Did you know that you can communicate via the web (and Skype) video, chat and/or audio for free? The nominal cost of a camera is the only expense, if you want to see each other. A free download will also make it possible for 11 people to "Skype" with each other at the same time as will the download of free "whiteboard technology" allow for sharing of materials.
See the Skype tutorial here and happy communicating! http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddj793tf_9025j3zc2

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Using ThePhysicsFront Digital Library

Hi All,
Here is a link to a just released article on using The Physics Front K-12 digital library for K-12 physics, physical science and astronomy. It takes you step by step through signing up and using the features. Try it and let me know what you think.
http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/sum2008/ezrailson/02.htm

Take care.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Friday, June 13, 2008

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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Enlightening Experiences in Energy and The Physics Front

Be sure to visit the archived program at NSTA Web Seminar Site. It was presented live tonight at 6 pm EST and sponsored by the National Science Digital Libraries Pathways Project, AAPT and NSTA. Many more free and low-cost seminars and short courses are available at the NSTA Learning Center: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL2/webseminar12.aspx Also, to support your teaching of physical science and physics as well as some excellent simulations go to the physics front at http://thephysicsfront.org/
Thanks for an excellent experience this week.

To Upload LabQuest Data to the Computer

Hi Folks,
I emailed Vernier to answer the question of how we might get the data stored in LabQuest into the computer. Here is what you have to do:

1) Once data is collected with the LabQuest in standalone mode, the only way to get the data into the computer is through LoggerPro not through the emulator. There are two ways to get the data into Logger Pro, and the method depends upon whether the data is "live" or stored in a file.

2) "Live" means that you can see the graph of the data on the screen from within the LabQuest App. If the data is live, when you attach the LabQuest to the computer and start Logger Pro, Logger Pro will throw a message stating that remote data has been detected and it will ask you if you want to retrieve.

3) If there is no "live" data, but instead the data has been stored in a file, connect the LabQuest to the computer and start Logger Pro. Then in Logger Pro, pull down the File menu and choose LabQuest Browser. Then choose Open. A list of saved files will appear on the screen. Choose the appropriate file.
Be sure you have the latest version of LoggerPro -- 3.6.1
Good luck!

How to Add PowerPoints, Word Docs and Spreadsheets to Your Blog


Hi All,
In order for you to upload PowerPoint presentations and other documents you create in word, excel and other programs, you will need to first upload them to Google docs in order to create a web presence and link to them. The url to Google docs is http://docs.google.com/. You can also create these types of documents right in Google and store them there. Notice that I have listed a link to a help file for Blogger.com.

Hope this helps.
Take care,

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

How to Solder Effectively

Hi Folks,

Here is a link for the beginning solderer


Thought you Folks Might Like this Cartoon

To PAN Underground Summer 2008 Workshop Participants

Hi All,
Welcome to the South Dakota Science Education Blog! I am so glad to meet you all and participate in this great workshop that Dr. McMahan and Dr. Keller have organized for you. Please feel free to contribute links, resources, ideas and questions on this workshop, teaching, learning science, etc. Feel free to share and partake equally.
Cathy.Ezrailson@usd.edu