Project/ Lab Lesson – 7th Grade Science – 90 mins

Instructor: Nicole Najmy

Unit: Geology

Essential Question: How was the Grand Canyon formed?

Objectives:

SWBAT weigh household objects using triple beam balance.

SWBAT measure volume of household objects using graduated cylinder filled with water.

SWBAT calculate density of household objects and show their work.

SWBAT record data into a table in science notbook

Agenda:

Do Now – 15 mins You leave for you summer vacation to Florida with a suitcase half filled with clothing. While you are there you go to Disneyworld and purchase T- shirts for your 15 aunts and uncles and 25 cousins. You pack them into your suitcase and have to sit on it to get it to close. Was your suitcase more dense on your way to Florida or on your way home? Why?

Students will share out their answers to Do Now and class will have brief discussion.

New Material /Guided Practice – Introduction to Density – 25 mins

Teacher will introduce concept of density using visual examples that will be projected on Smart Board. Teacher will demonstrate how we can use a graduated cylinder and triple beam balance to calculate density. Teacher will demonstrate how to use the triple beam balance to weigh a baby carrot. Teacher will demonstrate how to use a graduated cylinder filled with water to measure the volume of a baby carrot. Teacher will demonstrate how to use the formula for density to calculate density (on Smart Board). Teacher will have volunteers come up and do density calculations on Smart Board.

Student Independent Calculations - 45 mins

Students will get into groups and teacher passes out household materials to be calculated: Paper clip, pencil, Styrofoam peanut, checkers chip. Teacher will pass out graduated cylinder, beaker of water and triple beam balance to each group. Students will make a table in their science notebooks (see below)

Object / Mass / Volume / Density
Paper Clip
Pencil
Styrofoam peanut
Checkers chip

Students will weigh each of the objects as a group on the triple beam balance and enter information into their table. Students will measure volume of each of the objects using graduated cylinder filled with water and enter information into their table.

Students will then calculate density in their science notebooks using the formula demonstrated by the teacher and enter information into the table. Students must show their work for density calculation in their science notebook (underneath the table) using the following organizer:

Density Calculations:

Paper clip…

Pencil…

Styrofoam peanut….

Checkers chip…

Conclusion: Students will hand in their science notebooks to the teacher to be checked for completion. Students will clean up/ put away materials. Teacher will explain activity for the next day.