BACKGROUND

Teacher Information File

TEACHER DEMONSTRATION - Grade 7

1. Use the following two slide sets to demonstrate the effect of gravity on how water and food colouring mix together. Print the slides on overhead transparencies or display them from the computer on a TV monitor or projection device.
2. In Slide Set #1, water and food colouring are mixed on Earth and sedimentation occurs. In Slide Set #2, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Marc Garneau mixes the same two liquids in orbit on the Space Shuttle and sedimentation does not occur.
3. Each slide set is followed by a Flash animation.

STUDENT READING SELECTION - Grade 7

Note: The Student Reading Selection may be too difficult for grade 6 students.

1. Distribute copies of the Student Reading Selection, Scientists are Using Space to Explore Nature
2. Have students complete the fill in the blank activity as they read the selection.
3. On the overhead, large chart paper or blackboard record ideas elicited from students to create a mind-map of facts that support the concept that stronger alloys can be created in an orbiting laboratory e.g.
   
   
   
   
4. Working in pairs have students complete a similar mind-map supporting the concept that purer crystals can be created in an orbiting laboratory.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES - Grade 7

Catching a Few Rays

Activity to determine the power output of a typical solar cell

Crystal Growth

Experiment to demonstrate a few of the difficulties involved in growing large crystals on Earth -and also show how the molecules of a substance are forced to arrange themselves in characteristic patterns.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES - Grades 5 and 6

Too Much Hip Hop

Demonstration to simulate the effects of calcium loss in human bone tissue

Time to Hit the Sack

Experiment to measure reaction time to a visual stimulus.

Where Do You Think You're Going?

Two experiments to demonstrate how the brain uses visual cues for spatial orientation

The chart that follows identifies four levels of achievement for assessing students' Understanding of Basic Scientific Concepts. Levels 1 and 2 describe performance that is approaching the standard for the grade; level 3 describes the standard for the grade; and level 4 describes performance that is above the standard. In numerical terms, all four levels are at passing level for the grade. Level 1 corresponds to a mark of 50%-59%; level 2, 60%-69%; level 3, 70%-79%; and level 4, 80%-100%. Student performance that is not approaching or is significantly below the standard would receive a failing grade.

The student:

Criteria	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
	approaching the standard		the standard	exceeding the standard
Understands basic scientific concepts	shows understanding of few of the basic concepts	shows understanding of some of the basic concepts	shows understanding of most of the basic concepts	shows understanding of all or almost all of the basic concepts
	demonstrates significant misconceptions	demonstrates minor misconceptions	demonstrates no significant misconceptions	demonstrates no misconceptions
	gives explanations showing limited understanding of the concepts	gives partial explanations showing some understanding of the concepts	usually gives complete or nearly complete explanations showing understanding of the concepts	always gives complete or nearly complete explanations showing understanding of the concepts
	communicates with little clarity and precision	communicates with some clarity and precision	generally communicates with clarity and precision	consistently communicates with clarity and precision
	rarely uses appropriate science terminology and units of measurement	sometimes uses appropriate science terminology and units of measurement	usually uses appropriate science terminology and units of measurement	consistently uses appropriate science terminology and units of measurement

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© 2001

Prepared by YES I Can! Science Team