Learning Objectives:
- Core Concepts: Newton’s laws, chemical reactions, wave properties, energy transfer, resistance, and body physiology.
- Data Skills: Multi-variable experiments, comparing multiple datasets, and interpreting live data in real-time plots.
Session Grouping:
- Bootcamp (Sessions 1-2): Reviewing scientific method and multi-variable plotting.
- Investigating Advanced Physics & Chemistry (Sessions 3-7): Explore forces, pressure, energy, and chemical reactions.
- Body & Electrical Measurements (Sessions 8-9): Measure human physiological data and electrical properties.
- Capstone Project (Session 10): Students plan, execute, and analyze data from their own complex experiment using MeasureLab.
Data Analysis Skills:
- Multi-Variable Analysis: Students detect trends across multiple variables, identify correlations between them, and make sophisticated data-driven conclusions.
Session 1: Advanced Speed and Acceleration Analysis
Details:
Students conduct an in-depth investigation of motion by measuring the speed and acceleration of a cart on an inclined plane using photogate sensors connected to MeasureLab. They vary the angle of inclination and mass of the cart, recording time and distance data to calculate acceleration. Students analyze the relationship between acceleration, slope, and mass, applying Newton’s laws of motion and discussing concepts like friction and net force.
Session 2: Exploring Chemical Reactions and Conservation of Mass
Details:
Students conduct chemical reactions, such as combining baking soda and vinegar in a closed system connected to the pressure sensor. They measure changes in mass and pressure to understand the Law of Conservation of Mass and gas production during reactions.
Session 3: Investigating Waves and Oscillations
Details:
Using a string attached to a motorized shaker controlled by MeasureLab, students create standing waves. They adjust the frequency and observe wave patterns, measuring wavelength and frequency with the distance and timing sensors. This session deepens understanding of wave properties.
Session 4: Expansion of Air with Heat
Details:
Students revisit the concept of gas expansion with heat at a more advanced level. Using the pressure sensor and temperature sensor, they heat a sealed container of air and record precise pressure and temperature changes. They apply the Ideal Gas Law PV=nRTPV = nRTPV=nRT to calculate the number of moles of gas and analyze the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature, discussing real-world applications like hot air balloons and engine efficiency.
Session 5: Investigating Thermal Conductivity
Details:
Students measure how different materials conduct heat by heating one end of rods made of various metals and measuring temperature changes along the rod using temperature sensors. They compare thermal conductivity and discuss applications in real-world contexts.
Session 6: Investigating Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle
Details:
Students delve deeper into buoyancy by measuring the buoyant force on objects submerged in liquids of different densities (e.g., water, saltwater, oil) using the load cell in MeasureLab. They calculate the volume of displaced liquid and verify Archimedes’ Principle quantitatively. Students discuss factors affecting buoyancy and explore concepts related to ship design and submarine functionality.
Session 7: Human Physiology—Analyzing Heart and Muscle Activity
Details:
Students expand their understanding of human physiology by using ECG (electrocardiogram) and EMG (electromyogram) sensors connected to MeasureLab to measure electrical activity in the heart and muscles. They perform controlled physical activities and analyze how different exercises affect heart rate and muscle response. Students interpret ECG and EMG waveforms, linking them to biological processes and discussing the importance of bio-signals in medical diagnostics.
Session 8: Investigating Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Details:
Students build circuits with resistors of varying resistance values. Using MeasureLab, they measure voltage and current across each resistor, verifying Ohm’s Law V=IRV = IRV=IR and plotting V versus I to determine resistance.
Session 9: Building and Programming a Light Sensor System
Details:
Students enhance their electronics skills by building a light sensor system using a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) and integrating it with MeasureLab. They program the system to respond to light changes, such as triggering an alarm or activating a motor when light intensity drops below a certain threshold. This session introduces concepts of programming logic, automation, and real-world applications like security systems and smart lighting.
Session 10: Capstone Project—Design and Conduct an Experiment
Details:
In this final session, students apply their accumulated knowledge to design and execute a comprehensive experiment using MeasureLab. They choose a complex scientific question or problem relevant to Grade 7 topics.