Ward's Teacher Resources

The Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Ward's Natural Science — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:47:34 +0000

One of the richest yet least-known annual displays of “shooting stars” starts off the new year. But this time around, it will be sharing the sky with a brilliant source of natural “light pollution” - the Full Moon! Despite its interference, this display will still be worth watching.
Among the meteor showers to grace our skies each year, that known as the Quadrantids outranks nearly all of them, including the famed Perseids in August. Its peak hourly meteor rate is only matched by that of the Geminids in December. Under clear, dark sky conditions, observers can expect to see 100 or more shooting stars per hour at its peak (compared to about 80 for the Perseids). In 2008, the shower will occur between January 1st and 5th, with maximum activity coming on January 4th. The radiant - that point in the sky from which the meteors appear to stream - lies in the constellation Bootes. And although it doesn’t rise until well after midnight in January, meteors can still be seen shooting from over the northeastern horizon after darkness falls.
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What’s that smell? ScholAR Demonstration

Ward's Natural Science — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:16:33 +0000

Purpose
Illustrate the variety of odors that are produced from esters.

Materials

Organic alcohols in dropper bottles (see chart below)
Organic acids in dropper bottles (see chart below)
Sulfuric acid, H2SO4 (18 M)
Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3
Test tubes
Test tube holder
Bunsen burner
or, the Ester Formation Lab Activity

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Under Pressure ScholAR Demonstration

Ward's Natural Science — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:09:18 +0000

Purpose
To illustrate expansion of gases under reduced pressure.

Materials

Shaving cream
Marshmallow
Soda water
Doll’s head
Vacuum pump with bell jar

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Constructing a Dichotomous Key

Ward's Natural Science — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:49:53 +0000

The identification of living or non-living things can be greatly simplified by using a tool known as a dichotomous key. The word dichotomous literally means “divided in two parts”. It therefore stands to reason that a dichotomous key divides a set of objects into two subsets based on the presence or absence of a particular character. Each question within the set leads to another set of more specific questions and so on, until the user reaches a conclusion as to the identity of the object. This form of classification is the one used most often by taxonomists because it offers the user a quick and easy way of identifying unknown organisms.

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Kidney Dialysis Simulation

Ward's Natural Science — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:17:14 +0000

For an organism to survive, it needs to get rid of metabolic waste materials, as well as maintain proper concentrations of various necessary materials. For example, human food consists of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, various salts, and water. As these materials are metabolized, certain waste products are produced, such as carbon dioxide, water, urea and related nitrogenous compounds, salt, and various minerals. If these waste materials remain in the body, they quickly upset the body’s equilibrium (homeostasis), so they must be excreted rapidly and efficiently.

The kidneys are very important organs within the human body because they are essential to maintaining homeostasis. Humans have two bean-shaped kidneys that are found at the back of the abdominal cavity, one found on each side of the spine. Each kidney is approximately the size of a person’s fist. All the blood in the body must pass through the kidneys. The large amount of blood that is passed through the kidneys allows them to do the following: (more…)

Investigate acid-base reactions by creating a volcanic eruption

Ward's Natural Science — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:57:18 +0000

Create your own volcanic eruption and investigate acid-base reactions.

You will need:

Baking soda
Vinegar
A “volcano” –a container to hold the reaction

(Note: a fun related art project is to create and paint your own volcano out of Plaster of Paris or paper-maché with a built-in well to hold the reagents.)

Safety Tips:

Provide paper towels to clean up the resulting eruption – it can be a fizzy mess. The lab’s reagents are harmless, but you should take care to avoid contact with your eyes.