Transcript NanoLeap: Exploring the Mystery of the Gecko Physical Science Lesson 1

NanoLeap: Exploring the
Mystery of the Gecko
Physical Science
Lesson 1
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
NanoSize Me
Tricky Feet
Videos:
http://www.mcrel.org/nanoleap/multimedia/index.asp
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
1
Data Table
Observations
Makes use of senses
Makes use of instrumentation
(when possible)
Uses illustrations and labels
Are statements and not
questions
Qualitative: Description of
characteristics
Quantitative: Numeric or
measurements
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
Interpretations
Explains how/why based on
what you scientifically observe
May show diagrams or
illustrations of how you think
something works
Bases explanation on scientific
observation, experience, or
something learned earlier
(extant data)
Are statements and not
questions
2
Observations
Make observations about the following images.
Image 1.2
Image 1.1
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
Image 1.3
3
Interpretations
Make interpretations about how the organism is
“sticking” or “adhering” to a surface.
Image 1.2
Image 1.1
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
Image 1.3
4
Questions
1. What do the images have in common?
2. What do you observe about the surfaces and
textures in these images?
3. What might you interpret about the surfaces on
which you observed the gecko climbing?
4. What additional information do you need to know
in order to understand what makes a gecko adhere
to surfaces?
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
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More Questions
5. What are some possible methods for the gecko to adhere to a
surface?
6. Describe how you made your observations in today’s lesson:
a. What tools did you use?
b. Were your observations at the visible or invisible scale?
c. What is the dominant force at this visible scale?
7. What variables affect the force between the animal and the
surface?
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
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Making Connections
1. Describe one or two ideas that you learned
during this lesson.
2. How do you think the gecko sticks to the
ceiling?
3. What should we explore next?
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
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Flow Chart
1. How Can a Gecko
Walk on a Ceiling?
Scale: Visible
Dominant Force:
Gravity
Tools: Eye
5. What Types of Forces
Can Hold Objects
Together?
2. What Do We Mean
When We Speak
About Surfaces in
Contact?
3. What Are Your Ideas
of Small Sizes?
4. What Do We Learn
When We Look More
Closely?
6. How MUCH Force Is
Needed to Make an
Object Stick? What
Factors Affect the
STRENGTH of Force
Acting?
7. How Do We Measure
Forces at the Nano
Level? Why Is Merely
LOOKING not
Enough?
8. How Can a Gecko
Walk on a Ceiling?
How Can a Gecko Walk on a Ceiling?
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