Try FreeRice.com, to help fight extreme hunger around the world

 Check out FreeRice.com, where answering any question in numerous categories will donate, through the United Nations, 5 grains of rice to areas of extreme poverty and hunger. Help the hundreds of millions of people who are suffer from extreme hunger by playing this game...and you will even learn some new things, too!  

Ohm's law 'lab' using previously collected data (if class does NOT have equipment)

Lesson for Ohm's law lab                                                                                                                                 Video demonstration of Ohm's law lab                                                                                                             Computer simulated Ohm's law experiment if there is Internet accessibility

Many schools do not have access to all the equipment needed to build their own simple resistor circuits, or the means of measuring resistance, current, and/or voltage. This lab provides actual data collected by students doing the experiment outlined in the provided video. There is a second option using a computer simulation for those classes that have Internet access - students can do a simulated experiment and collect data to do the analysis set of questions. 

Ohm's law is an essential piece of understanding how the most basic circuits work, and the relationship between the 'Big 3' of all circuits: voltage, resistance, and the resulting electric current. 

A Punnett Square with Dice Lesson

 Lesson plan for Punnett square and Dice Game lesson                                                                                     Video to learn about Punnett square use and the math

Punnett squares are useful 'tools' used when studying genetics. The squares allow us to think about the types of genes from the parents for a particular trait - such as eye color, hair color, straight or curly hair, the size and shape of ears - and then determine the probabilities of the offspring inheriting one of those traits. This lesson is useful for students and teachers to determine probabilities and learning how to interpret the results. This is a good lesson for showing a relatively rare use of math in a biology class, as well. 

6 Questions scientists ask when evaluating a new claim of discovery (the process of science)

 To many, science is the process of discovery and trying to find the 'facts' of how the world works. It is supposed to be unbiased, nonpartisan, and pure. But don't ever forget that science is done and practiced by human beings, all of whom are imperfect, have biases, and make mistakes, just like everyone else. We are not 'all knowing' and have all the answers, and we never will. 

Having said this, what is the real story for how scientists go about their work? How do we know whether or not to believe a scientific claim by others? How and why should we evaluate others' work to justify their conclusions, especially when it is something important in the field or something never seen or claimed by anyone before? 

Check out this nice piece, from Symmetry magazine (this is very good if you like particle physics), which uses examples from particle physics to demonstrate how science is actually a little messy, but most importantly human - and 'facts' in science do change! Scientists are willing to change their minds over time as new results, often the result of new technologies and methods and data sets, because discovering real truth is a long, difficult process. There always is and should be debate and skepticism, but also open minds that are willing to accept new results that contradict old ones. There needs to be an open process or peer reviewed publications and presentations at conferences, so other experts can review a colleague's work openly and completely to check for mistakes or misinterpretations of the data. This is why it takes time to do science the 'right way.' 

A good message from a former NASA astronaut: How STEM training + Love can change the world

 There is a stereotype in many places and among different groups of people that subjects and professions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are dry, regimented, rigid, and for geeks and nerds. There is often a sense there is a lack of emotion, and humanity, in these types of studies and professions. 

But unless you are actually involved and participating in STEM areas, it can be difficult to understand the excitement and true passion we have for our areas of interest. And what's more, while it is the job of politicians and others to develop and vote on policies that affect our lives, and also to address the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the next decade, we all must realize and understand that STEM will help provide the solutions to those SDGs, and help make the world better for the next generation of humanity! 

Some of the qualities, concerns, and passions of STEM professionals is beautifully addressed by Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, a former teacher and NASA astronaut, who now spends her days addressing sustainability issues around the world because of her science background. The goals, concerns and personal characteristics of an astronaut are precisely those that we need to tackle the world's most pressing issues. The talents and skills of STEM workers, along with a love for humanity, is the combination that will move the world forward for all of us! This is another way of thinking about the importance of our SEE SAW project, and to encourage and grow the STEM talents in all nations...it is in part to help save our world! By the way, this project is in honor of SDGs #4, 9, 10, and 17, primarily, but again, there is overlap with just about all the SDGs; in honor of our one human race!!  

This video is the first in an upcoming series put out by our friends at the SOS4Love Project! 

Chemistry or Physics Activity - Surface tension experiment

Lesson plan for the surface tension experiment.
Video demonstration of the experiment. 

Surface tension has to do with the intermolecular forces between atoms and molecules at the surface of a liquid. For example, when a drop of water is placed on a table, it doesn't just flow and spread in all directions, but instead forms a 'dome' shape, or nearly a hemisphere. The surface tension of water is strong enough to hold the drop in this shape, rather than forming a flat, spread out puddle of water. This experiment provides a way for students to compare different liquids against each other to determine which have stronger surface tensions than the other liquids. All one needs are different liquids that are available, and any method or piece of equipment that allows you to create individual drops of each liquid.

This experiment complies with Sierra Leone WASSCE 2016 standard: 
Chemistry syllabus: Section A, Topic 7.0 STATES OF MATTER, Part c.i LIQUIDS

Biology Activity - How vaccinations help slow the spread of disease

Lesson plan for how vaccinations help slow the spread of disease. 
Video description for how vaccinations help slow the spread of disease. 

For students who have experienced the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital for them to understand how disease spreads, and what doctors and scientists try to do to try and minimize the spread of disease. Because the COVID-19 virus was a brand new organism in 2020, there was no vaccine any country could use to help slow down the spread. Many groups are trying to produce an effective vaccine, so when it comes back in the future (assuming it will be a seasonal virus, similar to flu viruses being seasonal in many countries) the vaccine can help many people not become seriously ill or die. 

This activity can help students better understand the importance of a vaccine, and how it can help reduce the number of people infected by the virus, and help reduce the number of people who will become sick or die.

This lesson complies with the following standard:
Biology Syllabus: Section A, Part C BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS, Topic 8.d.ii IMMUNIZATION, VACCINATION AND INOCULATION (CONTROL OF DISEASES.)

Biology Activity - Making a 3D model of a cell

Video demonstration of making a 3D model of a cell.

The basic unit for any type of life is a cell. Whether it is a single-cell organism in a lake or pond, or a tree or human being made of trillions of cells, all animal cells have effectively the same structure and components (organelles), and all plant cells have effectively the same structure and organelles. Animal and plant cells are eukaryotes, meaning they have a true nucleus with the genetic material, and various organelles suspended in the cytoplasm of a cell.

This activity uses paper so students can more easily create a three-dimensional model of a cell, and identify the structure of cell and begin to learn what each organelle does for the cell.

Chemistry paper simulation: Relationship between atomic radius and Ionization energy

Link to Ionization Energy vs Atomic Radius lesson.
Video explaining description of the lesson.
Video showing procedures for the lesson. 
This complies with Chemistry syllabus standard Section A, Content 4.0(c)(i) (WASSCE 2016).                                             
An important property of atoms is ionization energy, or the amount of energy required to strip off and free a valence electron from a particular type of atom. But why do some atoms require more energy to remove an electron than others? One factor in this observation is atomic radius. Because the negatively charged electron is attracted to the positively charged nucleus, the distance between valence electrons and the nucleus determines the strength of that attraction, through Coulomb's law of electric force.

This lesson uses nothing but a few pieces of paper to simulate for students this inverse relationship: the smaller the atomic radius, the higher the ionization energy. Enjoy!

A student simulation into charging objects using induction and conduction

Link to the lesson plan for this charging simulation/demonstration.
Video demonstration for this simulation, completed by a student.
This lesson complies with Physics standards Part IV, Topic 25 (1a, 1b, 1c) (WASSCE 2016).

When a charged object, such as a blown-up balloon that one rubs on a sweater, is held near a piece of fur or the hairs on someone's arm, the fur or hair will stick up and point towards the balloon, even if the balloon is not touching the fur or hair. This is a process called induction, where the electric field from the net charge of the balloon polarizes the fur or hair, causing an attractive force. If the balloon actually touched the fur or hair, then charge could physically move from one object to the other; this transfer of charge is called charging by conduction.

With these two processes, students will be given a situation and outcome for some number of metallic objects. Students will need to develop a method for that task to actually be able to happen, and using any physical objects they choose as manipulatives, explain how it could work out!

Rotational motion in physics - some examples to try

For any physics classes that do rotational motion, with minimal supplies and materials perhaps some of the activities listed in this lesson could be used as demonstrations or lab examples. The big ideas for rotations is that one or more forces acting on an object or system must create a torque on the object in order to change the rotational motion of the object, that the shapes of objects matter because different shapes have different moments of inertia, and that angular momentum is conserved when there is no external torques acting on an object or system. Give some a try!

Examples of Newton's 1st law of motion: Law of Inertia

One of the "BIG" ideas in physics is Newton's 1st law of motion, which states that objects at rest remain at rest, and objects in motion continue to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external net force. The property of matter that makes matter want to remain in the same state of motion is what we call inertia.

Like most concepts in science, it is one thing to read about the concept or see pictures of examples of that concept out in the world, but usually it is best to be able to observe and measure things yourself - to do the experiment or do a physical demonstration of the concept or phenomenon. So for us to be able to witness the 1st law in person, there are a number of ways to do so. Check out the following video that provides a few examples using simple materials, and then be creative and think of other ways to show the same concept!

Paper airplane lesson in Kenya

One of our Physics lessons has to do with paper airplanes. These are fun and a good inquiry lesson for students of just about every age. Recently, a version of it was used by Koen Timmers at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, where some 190,000 registered refugees live. Koen opened new school buildings and wanted to do a STEM lesson, but had almost no materials with which to work. He turned to SEE SAW and had a successful lesson with about 200 students. Check out the blog on this activity!

https://twitter.com/zelfstudie/status/1232346168493039616

Maths Lessons for EducAid Math Fair

We were so fortunate to have an Evanston alum and math wizard, Anna Pierrehumbert, get in touch with us because she was interested in this project and model for helping others learn mathematics topics. She wrote a number of math lessons that involved collaborative work and active learning of math.

The following lessons can be viewed and used:
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Graphing: Matching graphs game
- Graphing 
- Statistics
- Trigonometry: Instructions for making clinometer for trigonometry lesson
- Trigonometry
- Vectors and transformations cards needed for the lesson below
- Vectors and transformations

These lessons were used in Sierra Leone for the EducAid Math Fair!!

Physics Activity - Rubber band launcher (for projectile motion)

Link to Rubber band launcher training video. 

This activity is based on a rubber band device that can launch small objects, such as small marbles or stones, in a controlled manner so students can apply principles of projectile motion studied in many physics classes.

The rules and concepts that help us understand objects moving through the air in a parabolic path are based on fundamental physics principles and mathematical relationships. A constant horizontal speed, combined with a constant vertical acceleration due to gravity, are the reasons why we see the curved path.

With this launcher, students can measure the angle the projectile is launched at, and the horizontal distance it flies before it lands. Students can also stand where the object reaches its highest point, and can try and measure that height. If a timer or stop watch is available, students can time how long the object is in the air. From these measurements, students can try to use the kinematics equations (constant acceleration equations) to figure out the launch speed of the projectile. There are different variations of measurements a teacher can ask students to make, in order to calculate different quantities.

If there is access to the Internet, there is a nice simulation experiment that can be used to study properties of projectile motion; this includes the addition of air friction, which is difficult to consider in a physical experiment.

Biology Lesson: Punnett Squares and Genetics

Link for Punnett Square and Genetics lesson plan.
Link for Punnett Square and Genetics training video.
Step-by-step - How to make a Punnett Square. 

Punnett squares are interesting diagrams that allow us to figure out the probability, or odds, of an offspring having certain traits, based on the parents' genetic contributions. This method considers whether the parents have dominant and/or recessive genes being contributed to the offspring, and then by looking at all the possible pairings of a gene from the mother and another from the father, probabilities are determined from the pool of pairings.

For humans, traits for eye and hair color, skin tone, the size and shape of ears and other body parts, and so on, can be considered and the odds determined from a Punnett square.

This technique and topic also presents a fairly rare instance of mathematics being used in middle school or high school level biology. Punnett squares are a nice application of probability in a math class, and can be used to show connections between some math classes and a biology class.