Investigations in Science 7 February 5, 2016

What we did this week:

Monday we had our PTA Winter Social in the afternoon. The PTA organized
DJs, trivia questions to win prizes, concessions, and a movie for the students. It
was a great success and the students really seemed to enjoy having the Winter
Social during the school day. I have uploaded a few pictures on my blog from the
Winter Social. Thank you to the PTA for organizing such a great event for the
students.
This week, we learned about the respiratory system and the circulatory
systems. We used the Chromebooks and scientific texts to determine the
functions and path of the circulatory system. We also looked at the different
parts of the heart. We used the Chromebooks to help us see the functions of the
anatomy of the heart.
Wednesday, we completed a lab that was testing to see if exercise affects
our pulse rate and breathing rate. We took our pulse rate when we had been
resting. Then the students jogged for one minute and at the end we took our pulse
rate. Students ran in place for one minute and then immediately took their pulse
rate. Last, we took a two minute break and then took our pulse rate. We were
looking to see if our pulse rate changed with exercise. Throughout the lab, we also
looked at our how our breathing rate changed.
Based on feedback I received from students on Wednesday, I realized that
students needed a little more time reviewing cellular respiration which is a topic we
covered in unit one. Cellular respiration is when we use oxygen and glucose (from
the food we eat) and turns it into energy. As a result, our cells also produce water
and carbon dioxide, which we breathe out. Throughout the week, we have talked
about how we breathe in oxygen with our respiratory system but a number of
students were struggling to make the connection of how we use the oxygen. We
reviewed the topic on Thursday in class.

Friday, we will have an assessment on the circulatory and respiratory

systems.
Announcements:
27th Annual Females in Science and Technology Conference Montgomery
Blair HS sponsors a conference for 7th grade girls to help build and sustain interest
in math, science, and technology. The conference is scheduled for Saturday,
March 19th from 8:45-2:00. The program is completely free of charge, you just
need to provide your own bag lunch and your own transportation. There is only
space for 15 seventh grade girls from Farquhar to attend. In years past, the girls
that have back from the conference have only had positive things to say with the
program. It is extremely hands on and they get to pick a preference sheet of
different activities to choose from: Fossils and skeletons, biology, botany,
forensics, robotics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, rockets and
space, chemistry, and physics. If your daughter is interested, please email me.
Registration is due by February 19th.
The University of Maryland Physics Department is providing an exciting
summer camp opportunity: the Physics of Quidditch Summer Camp. The camp
takes a fun, interdisciplinary approach to exploring concepts in physics through the
literature of the Harry Potter novels and the real-world sport of quidditch. I have
attached a flyer and provided a link if you are interested.
http://umdphysics.umd.edu/events/aboutus-outreach/outreach-physicsquidditch.html
Coming Up:
Topics:
Excretory System
Nervous System
Dates:
February 8-12 Our counselor, Mrs. Finch, will be talking about registration
in Social Studies classes.
February 9-12 NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES due to Outdoor
Education (Grade 6)
February 15 No School
February 17 Honor Roll Celebrations
February 25 Holocaust Speakers Period 3
February 26 Half Day