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.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
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.
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.
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