Legos and Modeling....

WHAT AM I DOING TO HELP KIDS ACHIEVE?

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE THERE?

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE?

     First, I have to mention something about the isotope lab.  It worked amazingly well.  Students got the mass of 10 plain MM's and 10 peanut MM's.  Then they then had 10 mixed and had to find the ratio.  A few used algebra and some did guess and check.  All but 1 group got it correct.  If I were to do it again, I would have used pretzel MM's because they are probably more uniform.  Mike also had the idea to use a mixture of 20 instead of 10.   Overall, it is a keeper.

     Also, I did a modeling activity with legos.  First, I had students draw 3 hydrogen molecules and a calcium (the particulate level) and then model with legos.  They then had to "build" the products but could only use one calcium.  Kids figured out excess and limiting.  Although it is very rough...here is the video.

     In academic I am trying something different.  I am having students get data on flame tests and spectral tubes, they will have to develop a tri fold on how the information explains the nature of the atom and then they can use the lab on a quest over spectral lines and the atom.  I'll post about it later....