Elementary Science Methods ll: Week #5

 

Elementary Science Methods 2: Week #5

    This week in lab, we began by reviewing the homework for week #4 with the article focusing on formative assessment support for diverse learners. This unit has focused on how we can support play for students that is exciting but not dangerous. We use the energy lens to better understand motion. We engaged in an interactive pendulum simulation to study the different energies present during the swing. Lastly, we explored the last piece of a playground, the surface students will play on top of. The engineering design process taught us how to better design a detailed plan. From here, we created an experiment that modeled preventative measures for a student falling on the playground. As the photos show, we dropped the egg from 1 and 2 meters off the ground onto various surfaces. We found the most success in the 3rd and 4th trials, where the surface consisted of sand, straw, woodchips, and plastic wrap. I found this activity helpful for connecting the learning we have studied in class to real life. 

    I found that our discussion about playground surfaces in the lab connected to the press book reading about pendulums and energy. Thinking about swings on a playground the simulations of pendulums from that chapter really helped me connect my understanding with forces on a swing. It helped me to better understand which forces are acting on the swing as it moves.