NMHS Week 4: Science

I liked the format of my week 3 reflections, so I though I would keep it for my week 4 reflections, it allowed for good discussion flow as it focused on subject areas separately across the week.

Monday Double

Having marked their Inertia Prac Reports last weekend, I gave some feedback on which points people needed to improve on most. This included in particular a focus on variables:

and I also went through briefly how to decide on which kinds of graph to construct: for two numeric variables make a scatterplot, for one numeric and one categorical make a bar chart. I then introduced the bouncing balls prac and gave them the rest of the class to design how they wanted to conduct it: to choose their variables, and write their aim/hypothesis, materials, and method.

One student in particular came up with a completely original idea of testing the efficiency of a ball, then inflating it and testing it again to investigate the effect of inflating it which I thought was brilliant so I organised to get a ball pump for her to use in the following class.

Thursday Double

I planned Thursdays double, started the session by showing the class an example of how to calculate efficiency:

and then, after making clear some rules (no throwing the balls, etc.), let them start the bouncing balls prac. I had some printed copies of the scaffolding document ready for anyone who struggled. A few groups asked for the scaffold, but not all. The inflation version of the prac went perfectly.

Friday Single

I planned Friday single, and had one or two groups having to repeat or complete their prac, but otherwise got everyone writing up their prac reports, and they made good progress on them.