Fri Oct. 11, 2013
Chemistry 1 – Today was spent practicing using the density models. We whiteboarded practice problems that were comparing mass, volume, and density of different particle diagrams.
Group 1 – First Attempt
Group 2 – Starting to figure it out
Physics 1 – Robot Lab 4! The task today:
- Program one robot to move in at least four distinct segments using a position vs. time graph. (not hard)
- Switch the computer software to show a velocity vs. time graph.
- Use the v vs. t graph to program a 2nd robot to exactly match the motion of the first. (hard!)
Shown above are screenshots of two groups attempts. Group 1 was really confident they had it so they went all the way through. Right at the end of the hour when they tested the two they realized we have some work to do. Group 2 first attempted something like Group 1, but only did the first segment, and realized they had it wrong. They worked hard just to get the first segment correct, which they did. But they still have some work to do on Monday to get the rest.
Chemistry 2 – We took our data from the seven unknown solutions and tried to group like solutions together. Each lab group put their groupings on a WB and explained why they grouped them together the way they did.
180 Days of Mr. Wysocki's Classes 
Brad,
What do you use for robots in this activity? I have the students walk the graphs, but programming a robot might be a better challenge.
Another question. Where did you have to go for Chemistry Modeling training? I would like to do it, but haven’t seen any training nearby (I’m in Hayward, just north of you.)
Dave,
I’m using the Scribbler 2 robots. I first heard about them by reading Matt Greenwolfe’s Blog. I received a grant from WSST last year to pay for them!
As far a Chemistry Modeling goes, I’m self taught. I went through UW-Oshkosh’s masters in physics education program that revolves around physics modeling. When I began teaching Chemistry 6 years ago, I knew the curriculum material was on the ASU Modeling site. I made the decision that I would download it and go for it. I haven’t looked back since. Read more about my Modeling Story. I have had people suggest that I run a workshop/training somewhere here in Northwest WI, but I haven’t figured out how to make that happen yet.
Brad