Science Teaching tips from Lee Trampleasure – Page 3 – Bringing over 30 years of public and private high school teaching experience to help you.

January 19, 2017

Extra time on quizzes: Why you need individual work

Today was a great day. My students had a short quiz, and I wanted to make sure they all had plenty of time to complete it. I thought it would take them about 20 minutes to finish it (most finished in 15-20 minutes), but wanted to allow plenty of time for students who require ‘extra time’ (whether LD diagnosed and...

Education and schools/Science Education Comments: 0

December 2, 2016

The periodic spiral of the elements

Video of a periodic table rotating to show that the periodic table is not flat; that the Alkali metals are next to the Noble gasses.

Chemistry Comments: 0

November 22, 2016

Excel spreadsheet for calculating molar masses and percent composition

Over a decade ago I made a Quatro-Pro spreadsheet to make quick calculations from masses on the periodic table. Well, now Excel rules the roost, so I created a similar version using Excel. The fundamental element of the spreadsheet is that the cell with each mass is given a name that is the symbol for the element. So, for example,...

Chemistry/Science Education Comments: 2

June 11, 2016

Physics/Chemistry of Espresso Machines: Part 1

Here’s an activity based on observing espresso machines in action. Watch the following video showing the milk steaming container (with a short sidetrack to the espresso pot). What do you notice about the milk as it steams? Can you explain what is happening? Here are some details of how this espresso machine works: The water boiling tank is filled about...

Chemistry/Physics Comments: 0

October 24, 2015

Introduction to Modeling Workshops at NSTA in Reno

A brief description and photos of my workshops introducing Modeling Instruction at the NSTA Area Conference in Reno, NV on October 23, 2015

Modeling/Physics Comments: 0

September 29, 2015

180: Day 26: How does GPS work?

Using PI’s “Everyday Einstein: GPS & Relativity” resources, students are exploring GPS while others are on a Kairos retreat.

180/Geology/Earth Science/Physics Comments: 0

September 28, 2015

180: Day 25: Faculty/staff retreat

Learning to take “phone-free” time as an opportunity to practice sketching.

180 Comments: 0

September 27, 2015

180: Day 24: Fundraising for the whole school

SHCP’s annual Walkathon fundraiser develops community, not just funds.

180/Education and schools Comments: 0

September 22, 2015

180: Day 21: Final suggestions/tips for buggy collision challenge.

Last blocks with buggies: Here’s another close up of the target sheets I use with my students. The complete the top, then find where on the row of four metersticks they need to place their prediction. I give not help at this point, and often ask “Are you sure it’s in the right place?” (even when it is). I try...

180/Modeling/Physics Comments: 0

September 21, 2015

180: Day 20: “One train leave a station at 2:30, and another train leaves…

Here’s a classic physics problem: One train leaves a station at 2:30 at a speed of 40 m/s, and a second train leaves another station at 50 m/s. The stations are 40 km apart, and the trains are heading toward each other. At what time and position will the trains collide? These days, many teachers use this as a chance...

180/Modeling/Physics Comment: 1