The Science Fair
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Chicago, Illinois, United States
About the store
For the past seven years, I have taught Physics in a self-contained setting for junior students with disabilities ranging from mild cognitive impairments to specific learning disabilities. Additionally, I teach in a co-taught setting to allow students with disabilities to access the general curriculum. These experiences have allowed me to gain great insight into how to create differentiated, rigorous activities for students that build confidence, address both NGSS and Common Core standards and pique student interest daily.
In addition to my science experience, I taught Theory of Knowledge as part of the International Baccalaureate program.
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Distance vs. Displacement Lab
This is a fun, interactive lab that gets kids out of their seats and experiencing the difference between distance and displacement for themselves. The lab begins with a pre-lab reading that covers the definitions of distance and displacement, along with real-life examples. Following the reading, students perform a lab that allows them to measure distance and displacement of paths that they create. Students work in groups, get practice using appropriate measuring tools and will be able to visuall
6th - 10th
Physical Science, Science
Also included in:Â Introduction to Motion Bundle
Mass vs. Weight Mini-Lab and Reading
Struggling to explain the difference between mass and weight? This activity will drive that difference home for kids with two activities. First, students read about the difference between mass and weight, citing information from the text and defining the terms as they go. Following the close read, students will participate in an interactive exploration of how mass and weight are impacted by traveling to different planets! This is a great lesson to explain a tough-to-grasp concept. I like to end
6th - 10th
General Science, Physics, Science
CCSS
RST.9-10.1
Also included in:Â Newton's Laws of Motion Bundle
Circuit Drawing Practice Worksheet
Circuit drawing can pose a challenge for some students but this scaffolded practice will boost student understanding! Made to be used with Electricity Circuit Drawing Note Stations Graphic Organizer (although it can be used with whatever form of notes your students have on circuit drawing symbols), students will learn how to draw electricity diagrams in three stages. First, they will label diagrams. Then, students will fill in missing circuit symbols and finally, create their own circuit diagram
7th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Unit Bundle
NOTE: Due to Flash being deactivated, some activities and learning experiences have been updated. Teach students all about simple machines through the lens of scientific innovation and Rube Goldberg machines! This bundle includes various activities, internet activities, readings and labs that will expose students to the function of simple machines and Rube Goldberg machines. Included in the bundle is the following, which can be purchased individually at The Science Fair: Scientific Innovation
7th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Introduction to Motion Bundle
This bundle includes the activities to introduce students to the concepts of motion, specifically distance vs. displacement and speed. Additionally, the bundle includes a summative research project that asks students to research a real-life application of speed through the lens of transportation safety. The research task and organizer for their research is included. The activites in this bundle can also be purchased individually at the links below: Distance vs. Displacement? Web ActivityDistance
6th - 11th
Physics, Science
Newton's 1st Law of Motion Padlet Exploration (A and B versions!)
This is an interactive, fun way to introduce Newton's 1st Law of Motion. The document includes two differentiated version of the same exploration that is done on Padlet, a free interactive corkboard website. Students will explore how Newton's 1st Law of Motion works through videos, animations and comprehension questions. The document includes the link to the Padlet as well for review and easy access--it can also be made into a shorter TinyUrl if needed!
6th - 10th
Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Newton's Laws of Motion Bundle
Potential vs. Kinetic Energy Web Exploration
Introducing students to kinetic and potential energy? This web exploration allows students to explore kinetic and potential energy through the lens of roller coasters. The web exploration, presented on Padlet, features videos, animations, pictures, text and a simulation. Easy to follow and fun to interact with, it is a great way to get students thinking about KE, PE and energy conservation. As always, a link to the Padlet is included in the document.
7th - 11th
Engineering, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Roller Coasters! Kinetic and Potential Energy Unit Bundle
Christmas Lights Mystery Circuits Lab
Students will explore the difference between series and parallel circuits in a Christmas-themed circuitry lab! Your students will have to build both series and parallel circuits, remove bulbs to figure out how it impacts the flow of electricity and draw conclusions about real-life situations. A great lab for when you are learning about electricity during the holidays!
7th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Energy Poverty, Electricity and Circuitry Unit Bundle
Virtual Rube Goldberg Design Challenge
One of my personal favorite activities to get students involved in simple machines but remote! Teams of students get a virtual box of everyday items and are required to complete mini-Rube Goldbergs using these materials on Google Slides. Increasing in difficulty as the levels progress, students must work together to apply these simple machines to accomplish each task. For example, the last challenge requires students to turn the page of a book. Simple, right? Until you can only use a spoon, stri
6th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Remote Learning Bundle
Roller Coasters! Kinetic and Potential Energy Unit Bundle
NOTE: Some websites that are access as part of this resources use Flash, which was scheduled to no longer be supported as of December 2020. The online resources are still active as of 12/30/2020 but please be aware! Teach students all about kinetic and potential energy, as well as energy transformation, through the lens of roller coasters! This bundle includes various activities, internet activities, readings and labs that will expose students to these concepts and allow them to practice them in
7th - 11th
Engineering, Physics, Science
Virtual Roller Coaster Design Tasks
Students will apply their understanding of potential and kinetic energy to explore different roller coaster designs and how that impacts the energy in a system. Students will observe PE vs. KE graphs to identify what energy is present where in a roller coaster, along with how energy transforms and is lost throughout a roller coaster. Finally, students will apply their understanding of energy transformation to design a basic roller coaster and respond to analysis questions using their own design
6th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Newton's 2nd Law of Motion Agar.io Lab
In this fun and high-interest lab, students will explore how Newton's 2nd Law works through the student favorite, Agar.io (http://agar.io/)! Students will play the game and answer application questions based on their game experience. Included in this document are two versions, A and B, modified for varying student levels.
6th - 10th
Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Newton's Laws of Motion Bundle
Simple Machines Rube Goldberg Challenge
One of my personal favorite activities to get students involved in simple machines! Teams of students, which can range from 2 to 4, get a box of everyday items and are required to complete mini-Rube Goldbergs using these materials. Increasing in difficulty as the levels progress, students must work together to apply these simple machines to accomplish each task.
For example, the last challenge requires students to turn the page of a book. Simple, right? Until you can only use a spoon, string a
6th - 11th
Engineering, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Unit Bundle
Heat Transfer Simulation Stations
This resources features six simulation stations that ask students to apply their knowledge of heat transfer to solve various problems. I have always taught heat transfer through the lens of surviving the zombie apocalypse (check out my store for other fun zombie-related resources—they are always a hit with kids) and the simulation stations center around survival scenarios. Students are asked to determine which method of heat transfer applies in each scenario and determine in what manner. A link
7th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Distance vs. Displacement? Web Activity
This lesson reviews distance vs. displacement through a series of interactive, stimulating activities on Padlet. Students will watch a video defining the two terms, examine two animations and then apply them in two popular video clips. Finally, students will practice calculating distance vs. displacement on Google Maps.
The resource contains three versions of the activity at different levels and the link to the Padlet. Documents are easy to edit and modify to fit your school or district!
7th - 11th
Physics
Also included in:Â Introduction to Motion Bundle
Newton's Laws of Motion Bundle
This bundle offers a comprehensive overview of Newton's Laws of Motions. The bundle includes explorations of each Law of motion, including interactive digital activities, calculation practice and real-life application scenarios. Moreover, students will engage with high-interest labs and science stations to further apply their understanding of the laws. The bundle also has a quiz and quiz review to wrap up the unit, along with four homework assignments! The bundle includes individual assignments
7th - 11th
Physics, Science
Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Remote Learning Bundle
Teach students all about simple machines through the lens of scientific innovation and Rube Goldberg machines! This bundle includes various activities, internet activities, readings and labs that will expose students to the function of simple machines and Rube Goldberg machines. Included in the bundle is the following, which can be purchased individually at The Science Fair: Simple Machine Online Guided NotesMy students didn't like traditional note-taking so I created a way to give students inf
6th - 11th
General Science, Physics, Science
Virtual Roller Coaster Lab
NOTE: The website that is access as part of this resources uses Flash, which was scheduled to no longer be supported as of December 2020. The online resource is still active as of 12/30/2020 but please be aware! Students explore how to build roller coasters using the concepts of potential and kinetic energy. They will have to determine the correct design that creates a fun and safe roller coaster. A great way to prepare for creating paper coaster, students will enjoy the game-ification of these
8th - 11th
Engineering, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Roller Coasters! Kinetic and Potential Energy Unit Bundle
Roller Coaster Builder Research Organizer
As a way to explore energy conservation and the ideas of PE and KE, my unit summative was always to have students build a paper roller coaster! This organizer links to a Padlet with several different sources about building roller coasters, how they work and how they are designed. Students pull out information from various articles and ultimately, synthesize their understanding to create a "must have" list, which will aid in their construction of their roller coaster later.
The paper coaster re
7th - 11th
Engineering, Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Roller Coasters! Kinetic and Potential Energy Unit Bundle
Newton's 3rd Law Padlet Exploration
Students will be introduced to and explore Newton's 3rd Law of Motion through an interactive Padlet. Students will examine videos, images and animations to see how Newton's 3rd Law of Motion functions and answer questions based on the various media. The document includes two versions of the assignment that can be easily modified further, as well as the link to the Padlet!
6th - 10th
Physics, Science
Also included in:Â Newton's Laws of Motion Bundle
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About the store
Experience
For the past seven years, I have taught Physics in a self-contained setting for junior students with disabilities ranging from mild cognitive impairments to specific learning disabilities. Additionally, I teach in a co-taught setting to allow students with disabilities to access the general curriculum. These experiences have allowed me to gain great insight into how to create differentiated, rigorous activities for students that build confidence, address both NGSS and Common Core standards and pique student interest daily.
In addition to my science experience, I taught Theory of Knowledge as part of the International Baccalaureate program.
Teaching style
My teaching style stems from my belief that all students are capable of achieving. It takes an understanding of their learning style, their interests and how to engage them to get all students hooked. My teaching style is geared towards high-interest (think zombie apocalypse to learn about light rays), tactile and kinesthetic experiences. Additionally, as a teacher for students with diverse needs, many of my materials and activities allow for modifications to include all in the classroom!
My own education history
Originally from Chicago, I attended a small private school on the Southside that taught me the importance of exploration and inquiry in the classroom. I earned my Bachelor's degree from Grinnell College, a small liberal arts college in Grinnell, IA. My degree was in both English Literature and French. Following college, I participated in an Americorps program which allowed me to tutor at-risk students on the Westside of Chicago, ultimately leading me to join Chicago Teaching Fellows the next year and earn my LBSI certification.
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