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Science Magic!. Jeff Weinert, B.S., Med. jweinert@medicine.nevada.edu. What’s important?. How many are k-3? How many are 4-6? 7-8? 8-12? Why is science important?. What are the downfalls of Science Education? . Why is science hard to teach? Preparation Variety of disciplines Materials
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Science Magic! Jeff Weinert, B.S., Med. jweinert@medicine.nevada.edu
What’s important? • How many are k-3? • How many are 4-6? • 7-8? • 8-12? Why is science important?
What are the downfalls of Science Education? • Why is science hard to teach? • Preparation • Variety of disciplines • Materials • $$ • Contains all the “R’s” • Space/storage • ???
Science Teacher’s Characteristics • My inspiration: Tik Liem, Phd. • Wrote Invitations to Science Inquiry • Enthusiasm • High self esteem • “To activate others you must first activate yourself” • Develop the attitude of “You are Important” • Creativity • Human
Teaching by Demonstration • The Discrepant Event • The human mind is naturally driven to understand • Leon Festinger, who wrote “The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance” back in 1957 had this to consider… • 1. The existence of dissonance being psychologically uncomfortable, will motivate the person to try to reduce the dissonance and achieve consonance. • 2. When dissonance is present, in addition to trying to reduce it, the person will actively avoid situations and information which would likely increase the dissonance.
The good ol’ egg in a jar demo • Witness demo • Discuss in groups • Perform hands on • Discuss as a class • Tie in concepts • http://www.researchsupply.net/bottles.html • 1000ml Erlenmeyer = $12.75
How to use the Discrepant Event • Present • Show the event without explanation. • Involve • Allow students to pair up to explain the event. • Interact • Students should participate in activities that involve similar concepts with that of the discrepant event. • Students should present their explanations • Go over concepts and content. • Have them summarize in a writing assignment.
Use the Kinetic Theory • Start Simple • Get a periodic table • Show how atoms build molecules (make water) • Demonstrate: ice to water to steam • Have them do it • Follow up with the can crushing demo
Develop your Events • Build your box of goodies • Have ready in separate containers • Keep a notebook, just for demos. • Get some good books! • In my opinion Tik L. Liem is the God of Science demos.
A Few Easy Demos to Consider • Density • Floating sodas • Gatorade bottles • floating egg / carrots • Cartesian diver • Surface tension • Strawberry Baskets • How many drops can you get on a penny • Then add soap • Float needle or paper clips • Boil water in a paper cup • Balance raw egg
Bibliography • Educational References • Festinger, Leon, “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance,” Row, Peterson and Co. 1957 • Piaget, Jean, “The Child and Reality: Problems of Genetic Psychology” translated by Arnold Rosin, London: Frederic Muller, 1974. • Waitley, Denis, “Seeds of Greatness”, Fleming H. Revell Co., 1983.
The Ultimate Science Demo Books: • Liem’s books have many demos but are hard to find (K-12): • Liem, Tik, “Invitations to Science Inquiry 2nd ed.” • ISBN 1-878106-21-X • Liem, Tik, “Supplement to 1st and 2nd editions” • ISBN 1-878106-01-5 • Other great Demo Books: • These ones are more for high school chemistry: • Chemical Magic [Paperback] by Leonard A. Ford; E. Winston Grundmeier[Paperback] By: Leonard A. Ford, E. Winston Grundmeier (Editor) • Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers Volume 2 (Chemical...[Spiral-bound] By: Lee R. Summerlin, et al • Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 or 4 [Hardcover[Hardcover] By: Bassam Z. Shakhashiri • Chemical Curiosities [Hardcover] by Roesky, Herbert W.; Möckel, Klaus; Russey[Hardcover] By: Herbert W. Roesky, et al • Physics demo books (simple) • 75 Easy Physics Demonstrations by Kardos, Thomas[Paperback] By: Thomas Kardos • Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations...[Paperback] By: Robert Ehrlich • Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 (J-B Ed: Hands On) (Paperback)...[Paperback] By: James Cunningham, Norman Herr
High School Science (biology, physics, chemistry) • Favorite Demonstrations for College Science: An Nsta Press Journals Collection[Paperback] By: Brian Shmaefsky (Editor) • Elementary • Magic With Science: Scientific Tricks, Demonstrations, and Experiments for Home[Paperback] By: Walter Brown Gibson • Elementary teacher's classroom science demonstrations and activities By: David E Hennessy (old but loaded with stuff) • Kids Shenanigans by Klutz Press ISBN 1-878257-41-2 • The Usborne book of Science Experiments, by Jane Bingham • The Everything Kids Science Experiments Book, By Tom Robinson • The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions (and 2), by John E. and Danita Thomas • Kid Concoctions and Contraptions, by John E. and Danita Thomas