Freezing and melting of water with Vernier Labquests

In my Science Seminar class, we are taking a look at how energy works. Energy is the capacity to do work or give off heat. All matter has kinetic energy because the atoms of a substance are constantly in motion, the measurement of that motion is what we often call the temperature of a substance. Yesterday we discussed how matter changes state when heat is applied to a substance and the relationship between kinetic and potential energy during this process. Today we conducted an experiment to verify that by completing Vernier's Freezing and Melting of Water using their LabQuest equipment. I've used this lab before and get good results. I would highly recommend purchasing their lab books if you have access to their equipment for use. I also use their probeware whenever a lab calls for a thermometer or pH probe. The equipment is easy to use and helps to develop student lab skills by the use of technology in the classroom.

Here are some pictures showing the various stages of this experiment.


The set up showing the students freezing the water.



Once the ice is frozen as shown the next step is to collect data as it is melting.



Last step in the melting process - LabQuest unit shown here.

Botany Scavenger Hunt

In the spring one of my favorite activities is to take out the students for a Botany Scavenger Hunt as a culmanating activity/assessment. I challenge them to find examples of: fungi, pteriophytes, bryophytes, gymnosperm, and angiosperm (both monocot and dicot). What is so difficult for me to understand is how little experience students have with the outdoors. Many are very unfamiliar with common types of plants which grow in their back yards. They love to ask to go outdoors but often complain once they get out there about the temperature, the sun, or the bugs. They are more apt to want to be on their phones texting their friends who are back in the building. I guess the more we get them outdoors the more adapted they will be. 
There are some who are genuinely interested in learning more about the world around them. When we returned indoors I had them mount their specimens onto paper and label. It was more amazing to see them arranging their samples and creating works of art - at least I think they are works of art. Here are a few examples for you to enjoy.