still in the water
After taking a survey of how much we knew about the ocean, the 4th graders discovered that about only 5% of the ocean has been explored. The students were introduced to NOAA, and some of the different technologies that are used to find out more about the ocean.
Here, the 4th graders are using on of the many technologies used to discover more about the ocean - sounding poles. These are used to find out the topography of specific sites in the ocean. This actual NOAA site contained boulders and cliffs.
Next, groups use a virtual lab to understand a little more about buoyancy force. This lab required them to find the mass of various objects and compare the it with the amount of displaced water in order to predict if the object will float or sink.
Glencoe Fluids and Forces Virtual Lab
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/CT01/CT01.html
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/CT01/CT01.html
Now we're ready to take a look at all of the submersible parts, Instruments such as lights, a battery, sonar, a video camera, and more. Groups got to test a few of the instruments in the water to see what they would do. These tests will help the students when they get ready to design their submersibles.
After banding all submersible parts together groups will try to do their best in three areas:
1. Volume Score - Smaller submersibles that are can do the job are more cost effective than larger ones.
2. Instruments Score - Can groups find the correct balance needed to include some heavier instruments that are worth more points and still have their submersible float?
3. Package Pick-Up Score - Can the group's submersible pick up packages with extra weight and continue to float?
Each group will continue to improve their submersibles until they have met their goals!
1. Volume Score - Smaller submersibles that are can do the job are more cost effective than larger ones.
2. Instruments Score - Can groups find the correct balance needed to include some heavier instruments that are worth more points and still have their submersible float?
3. Package Pick-Up Score - Can the group's submersible pick up packages with extra weight and continue to float?
Each group will continue to improve their submersibles until they have met their goals!
Wow! These 4th graders continued to improve to earn the best scores possible! The high score from last year's group was even broken twice! After discussing why our best submersibles were so successful, we established the role density played in this unit. The 4th graders did a fabulous job every step of the way!