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Mars
Colony
SOL: 6.6g, 6.8i, 6.9b, LS.4, LS.12e, ES.4c, ES.7 Students learn to identify, compare
and contrast conditions and needs on the red planet and Earth.
Acting as long duration
explorers, students work in cooperative teams to plan for
their outpost's
survival. Consideration must be given to meeting social structure
needs, power supply, physical demands for food, water and
warmth, as well as exploration. Students plan for use of on
site resources and necessary accompanying equipment and supplies.
Spaceship Earth 
Science SOL - 6.8 d, e, f, g, h, ES.4
Students will understand the unique characteristics of the Earth and why
life exists here. They will model and describe day and night, and how the
Earth’s tilt causes the seasons. The students will
model and observe why and how the phases of the moon occur, and discuss
the relationship between the moon’s gravitational pull and the cycle
of the tides. Students will gather information to be used in school to
create
and interpret a timeline highlighting
advancements in space exploration over the past half century.
 
Scheduling
Tip! Goes well with the IMAX films Magnificent
Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D, Blue Planet, SolarMax, Destiny
in Space, Space Station 3D and
Hubble 3D, the demonstration Energy
U and the traveling exhibit Alien Earths (Oct. 23, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010).
Kitchen Chemistry (for grades 6-8 only)
SOL: 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, PS.1, PS.2, PS.4, PS.5
Students
will describe matter and identify chemical elements from the periodic table.
Students
will distinguish between
physical and chemical reactions, and will identify the
chemicals contained in
simple compounds. Working in groups, students will analyze
many different compounds and perform scientific experiments
to determine the identity of the unknowns. Logical and
critical reasoning, accurate lab technique, precise results and conclusion
reporting are a large part of this lab.

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Space Freeze III: A Cryogenics Demo
SOL: 6.1, PS.2, PS.7
Students will predict and observe physical changes (volume)
as the state of matter changes when temperature is decreased
or increased, with related changes in molecular motion. They
will learn the temperature for nitrogen phase change between
liquid and gaseous states, and that this physical property
is characteristic for nitrogen. Students will compare and
contrast the boiling point of nitrogen on the Celsius and
Kelvin temperature scales.
 
Zap: Electrons on the Move
SOL: 6.2, PS.6, PS.11
Students
will observe and identify the transformation of electrical
energy into other forms of energy, including heat,
light and
mechanical (including sound). Students will compare and contrast
series and parallel circuits. The Van de Graaff generator
will be used to show students how electrostatic charges will
be generated, and how such force attracts or repels objects.
Additionally, they will
discover how a generator transforms mechanical energy into
electrical energy.

Mysteries of Flight
SOL: 6.6b, PH.4a, b, PH.7
Students will explore the Wright Brothers' contribution to
aeronautics, and are given an outline of the diverse history
of human efforts to conquer the air. Applying the concepts
of Newton's laws of motion and Bernoulli's conclusions about
fluid pressures, the operation of aircraft are explained.
They will use basic
applications of aerodynamics, wing design, and aircraft construction
to understand the forces that affect flight.

Virginia's Waterworld
SOL: 6.7, ES.9
Can you locate your watershed on a topographic map? How
important is it to have clean water for humans and the environment? Learn how
the Earth actually helps us filter our water to recycle it. Decide how humans
can help the natural processes around us protect our environment. Find out
how everyone “lives downstream” & what you can do every day
to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Scheduling Tip! Goes well with the IMAX films
Blue Planet,
Dolphins & Whales 3D and Sharks
3D.
Energy U
SOL: 6.2, PS.6
Students will compare and
contrast potential and kinetic energy through demonstrations
and from examples taken from nature. Using ramps and balls,
students will conduct experiments to convert potential energy
into kinetic energy. Students will also compare and contrast
transfers of the same form of energy between objects, and
transformation of energy into new forms. Observing common
tools and equipment, students will identify the energy
transformations that take place, including the transformation
of light into other forms of energy.

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