Monday Assignments 10/12/2015 and Tuesday Assignments 10/13/2015 and Wednesday update

Here are your assignments that I expect you will have finished by the next class. Some you have already completed, but let's make sure. I've added some follow up activities that entail using your book.

• Gravity and Orbit Simulation
  Students will explore the Gravity and Orbit simulation to develop a testable question, gather and analyze data. Work in a group and develop TESTABLE QUESTIONS. Have another group review your questions. Then pick a question, develop a hypothesis, and gather data. Use observations to write a concluding statement.

• Modeling Elliptical Orbits
  In this investigation, you will make models of planetary orbits. Johannes Kepler revolutionized astronomy when he proved that planetary orbits are ellipses, not perfect circles. His first law of planetary motion states that planetary orbits are ellipses (ovals) that have the sun as one focus and an empty point in space as the other focus.

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY Answer # 6 on p. 119 in FOCUS

• Law of Universal Gravitation Investigation In this investigation, students will use a model of the Earth on a string to explore the relationship between the Earth and the Sun around which it revolves.

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY Do the Math on p. 121 in FOCUS

• Gravity Guided Notes
• Gravity Lesson Review pg. 129
• Achieve 3000 article: Floating Free (w/analysis sheet)

NEW ASSIGNMENTS 

Focus Unit 3 Lesson 1    (3-1). Complete # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 12. Be sure to read all of the passages.

Read and take notes on http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2009/02/25/our-solar-system-galileos-observations-of-the-moon-jupiter-venus-and-the-sun

Your notes should identify a technology and describe how advancements in that technology helped to improve our understanding of the solar system. Your notes should also explain how a scientist modified the work of those who came before him to create more current models of the solar system. Answer #13 p. 111 of Fusion.

Home Learning 

1.  work on your Science Project Log. Everything you do, think about, read about, or talk about for your own project should be in your log. 

2.  FOCUS book pp. 102-103. Check out the timeline. Complete Take it Home #1 Think About It. Discuss your findings and thinking with your parents. Did you share something new with them? Do they see crewed missions to distant places in your future?

3. go to

 http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2015/10/01/whats-up-october-2015 and find out when the next meteor showers are along with what's happening in space this month.