Science Magic!

Jeff Weinert, B.S., Med.

[email protected]

What’s important?

• • • • How many are k-3?

How many are 4-6?

7-8?

8-12?

Why is science important?

What are the downfalls of Science Education?

• Why is science hard to teach?

• • • • • • • Preparation Variety of disciplines Materials $$ Contains all the “R’s” Space/storage ???

Science Teacher’s Characteristics

• • My inspiration: Tik Liem, Phd.

Wrote Invitations to Science Inquiry • • • • Enthusiasm High self esteem • “To activate others you must first activate yourself” • Develop the attitude of “You are Important” Creativity Human

Teaching by Demonstration

• • The Discrepant Event The human mind is naturally driven to understand • Leon Festinger, who wrote “The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance” back in 1957 had this to consider… • 1. The existence of dissonance being psychologically uncomfortable, will motivate the person to try to reduce the dissonance and achieve consonance.

• 2. When dissonance is present, in addition to trying to reduce it, the person will actively avoid situations and information which would likely increase the dissonance.

The good ol’ egg in a jar demo

• • • • • Witness demo Discuss in groups Perform hands on Discuss as a class Tie in concepts • http://www.researchsupply.net/bottles.html

• 1000ml Erlenmeyer = $12.75

How to use the Discrepant Event

• • • Present • Show the event without explanation.

Involve • Allow students to pair up to explain the event.

Interact • Students should participate in activities that involve similar concepts with that of the discrepant event.

• Students should present their explanations • • Go over concepts and content.

Have them summarize in a writing assignment.

Use the Kinetic Theory

• • • Start Simple Get a periodic table Show how atoms build molecules (make water) • Demonstrate : ice to water to steam • Have them do it • Follow up with the can crushing demo

Develop your Events

• • • • Build your box of goodies Have ready in separate containers Keep a notebook, just for demos.

Get some good books!

• In my opinion Tik L. Liem is the God of Science demos.

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A Few Easy Demos to Consider

Density • Floating sodas • • • Gatorade bottles floating egg / carrots Cartesian diver • Surface tension • Strawberry Baskets • • • How many drops can you get on a penny Then add soap Float needle or paper clips • Boil water in a paper cup • Balance raw egg

Bibliography

• Educational References • Festinger, Leon, “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance,” Row, Peterson and Co. 1957 • Piaget, Jean, “The Child and Reality: Problems of Genetic Psychology” translated by Arnold Rosin, London: Frederic Muller, 1974.

• Waitley, Denis, “Seeds of Greatness”, Fleming H. Revell Co., 1983.

• • The Ultimate Science Demo Books: • Liem’s books have many demos but are hard to find (K-12): • Liem, Tik, “Invitations to Science Inquiry 2 nd ed.”

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ISBN 1-878106-21-X • Liem, Tik, “Supplement to 1 st

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ISBN 1-878106-01-5 and 2 nd editions” Other great Demo Books: • These ones are more for high school chemistry: • Chemical Magic [Paperback] by Leonard A. Ford; E. Winston Grundmeier [Paperback] By: Leonard A. Ford, E. Winston Grundmeier (Editor) • • • Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers Volume 2 (Chemical...

[Spiral-bound] By: Lee R. Summerlin, et al Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 or 4 [Hardcover [Hardcover] By: Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Chemical Curiosities [Hardcover] by Roesky, Herbert W.; Möckel, Klaus; Russey [Hardcover] By: Herbert W. Roesky, et al • Physics demo books (simple) • • • 75 Easy Physics Demonstrations by Kardos, Thomas [Paperback] By: Thomas Kardos Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations...

[Paperback] By: Robert Ehrlich Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8 - 12 (J-B Ed: Hands On) (Paperback) ...

[Paperback] By: James Cunningham, Norman Herr

• High School Science (biology, physics, chemistry) • Favorite Demonstrations for College Science: An Nsta Press Journals Collection [Paperback] By: Brian Shmaefsky (Editor) • • Elementary • Magic With Science: Scientific Tricks, Demonstrations, and Experiments for Home [Paperback] By: Walter Brown Gibson • • • Elementary teacher's classroom science demonstrations and activities By: David E Hennessy (old but loaded with stuff) Kids Shenanigans by Klutz Press ISBN 1-878257-41-2 The Usborne book of Science Experiments, by Jane Bingham The Everything Kids Science Experiments Book, By Tom Robinson • The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions (and 2), by John E. and Danita Thomas • Kid Concoctions and Contraptions, by John E. and Danita Thomas