PENDA over the break

The PENDA assignment that is due on 12/26 is due at 7AM on 12/26. If another set of Penda is assigned by the district then it will be considered due on 01/09/2017 at 7 AM even if a due date of 01/02/2017 is registered. It's not a bad idea to review some Penda, but remember some of you have science projects that still need to be completed.

Happy Winter Break.

BONUS OPPORTUNITY DUE NO LATER THAN 01/10/2017

Directions for the BONUS

Make an ANCHOR CHART poster for one of the topics on the document posted in FOCUS. It’s in the BONUS category. Anchor Charts will be hung out in the hallway and in the classroom. They are visual reminders about science content. It’s important to research your topic and to present it in a way that will help you and others learn and remember content from 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade.

Criteria to earn up to 2 Bonus Points.

2	The content for the learning point is appropriate to 8th grade and is correct. The Chart is a full size poster. It is Colorful, Neat, Creative, and Easily Read from 2 meters away. Although it contains information it should not be so jam packed that it can’t be read and used as a tool for learning. It is appealing and interesting and demonstrates your creativity. There may not be any computer generated pictures on your poster. You may draw or take your own photos. Nothing may be plagiarized (that means copied from a source). If you quote something you must cite it properly and use quotation marks. There may be no spelling errors or cross outs. Submitted by the due date of 1/10/2017 with your name and period on the back.
1.0	Almost meets the criteria for a 2. Not quite up to the expectations for a 2.
0	Shows little or no attempt to meet the criteria for a 2.

THE LIST IS ON FOCUS!!!

Attention Toshiba ExploraVision Teams

Below is a copy of a message I received from Exploravision aka Toshiba. Read it and see how it can help you.

Each project group that has chosen me as a sponsor must begin the registration process. I have to log on and then you can fill out your information, so it has to either be completed in class or after school. See me to schedule an appointment.

NEW: 1-on-1 Coaching for ExploraVision Teams Dear Teachers, Don't let simple errors disqualify the young, STEM-azing minds in your classroom or science club! We are introducing one virtual coaching opportunity to all Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision teams before the final submission deadline on February 6, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST. Need help and have questions? Call us during January 4-18 and we will share advice and review your project! To get started, simply submit your project before January 18 and Call 1-800-EXPLOR9 (Monday through Friday between 8 AM – 6 PM EST) with a list of questions and receive constructive feedback from the experts on the NSTA ExploraVision team. This could also include helpful hints and ways to enhance teams' projects for more advanced students. Login now to start or continue your ExploraVision entry! We look forward to hearing from you! Email exploravision@nsta.org with any additional questions.

TECHNOLOGY IS NOT MY FRIEND!!!!!

Some students have followed the directions and uploaded .ppt and .doc files. Some have not. I can open all of the .ppt and .doc files through Focus. I can not open all of the .pptx and .docx files. When you come to class on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you probably need to bring your presentation on a flash drive. That way if we have technical difficulties, you will have the files you need. There is no access to g-mail in school and we can't access google docs. Be prepared - just in case.

We have had some App Challenge presentations. They have been very informative. I am looking forward to the rest of the App Challenge videos and all of the individual project presentations.

Remember these assignments should all be finished before the second day of class next week.

• Magnetism Gizmo,
• Graph for Chloe's data for a heating curve,
• Phases of Water Gizmo,
• Answer the questions for the graph, and 
• Solubility and Temperature Gizmo.

There will be check ups on some of these, while some will be spot checked. Be prepared. 

Technology is our friend - sometimes!!!!! ;)

Thanks to everyone who followed directions and uploaded their projects.
     
             HOWEVER....

It seems like FOCUS (or my computer) doesn't allow me to open a powerpoint saved as a .pptx or a document that is a .docx.

A few things have opened, but the majority won't. So here's the back up plan.

Power Points should be saved as .ppt (Powerpoint 97-2003). Even it it threatens to mess up your charts, go ahead and save it. I will see your charts as they should be when you present.

Word Documents for the App Challenge have to be saved as .doc (Word 97-2003).

E-Cybermission Team Sign up Deadline is Wednesday 12/07

I received this letter from e-cybermission. It explains what some of you still need to do, but what many of you have already completed. If you are not on a team with either Mr. Geary or myself as your advisor, you must really hustle to complete the directions. Here's the letter...

Hello eCYBERMISSION Team Advisor,   Thanks for participating in the eCYBERMISSION competition this year. We hope eCYBERMISSION will help your students grow as STEM learners and bring STEM alive for them!   I am writing to remind you that the deadline for registration is THIS WEDNESDAY December 7th at 11:59pm ET. If you plan to compete, you MUST do the following before the deadline: 1.       Have all of your participating students complete all 4 steps of the registration. 2.       Have all of your participating students assigned to you as a TA. 3.       Have all of your participating students placed on teams.   Any students who are not on teams at 11:59pm ET on Wednesday December 7 th 2016 will be unable to compete this year.   Log in here to make your final updates: https://www.ecybermission.com/Advisor/Login Students can log in here: https://www.ecybermission.com/Student/Login   If you need help or have questions Mission Control will be available: ·         Tuesday, December 6 th – 9 am – 5 pm ET ·         Wednesday, December 7 th – 7:30 am – 11:59 pm ET   Contact Mission Control at 1-866-GO-CYBER or missioncontrol@ecybermission.com. You can also contact your POC with questions.   Thanks again and good luck this year!

Supermoon December 2016: When, Where & How to See It

Supermoon December 2016: When, Where & How to See It

Science project update

I added an assignment that is for an upload of your science project in the grade book. You should be able to just click on the upload and add your file.  Everyone should read the following.

• Each student who completed the App Challenge should upload the essays and a link to their video. This means that every member of the group must have an upload. 
• Students who have completed their individual project should upload the power point for their projects. 
• Other projects do not need to be uploaded at this time, but as a courtesy will you please upload a word doc that includes the names of everyone in your group and which project you are doing. Thanks.

All uploads should be finished by 4pm on Wednesday, 12/7.

Team sign up deadline for e-cybermission

Don't forget that you must be on a team by December 6 in order to do e-Cybermission. Not on a team by then=no entry:(

See either Mr. Geary or me to get on a team.

Update for ABSTRACT for Individual Project

You will find the ABSTRACT form at www.nefrsef.org under the Rules and Forms tab. The directions for Abstracts are there also. Please complete the form and print it out. Submit 2 copies in class. MAKE SURE YOU SAVE the information for the abstract as a WORD doc if you can't save it as the entire abstract.

Assignment update and LAB ALERT!!!

Everyone should be finished with the MAGNETISM Gizmo before next A (Monday) or B (Friday) since you have had  time in class for this task. If it's not finished you will not be eligible for solubility LAB until it's finished. Lab will not be extended to wait for anyone. Be PROACTIVE. Remember, we are using a special log-in and password until further notice.

For this LAB you must have closed toe shoes and if you have long hair you must have a hair tie. Please don't wear your best clothes that day, but everything we use is organic and will wash out of clothing.