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L.E.A.P.S. ~ Overview of Activities
Chap Name Description Lab Skills Math Skils
Unit 1
1 The Measuring Scale of Science- The Metric System (S.I.) Introduces the Metric System   1. Defines metric abbreviations. 2. Decimal System
2 The Meter, Liter, and Gram Introduces units in Metric System   1. Using decimals to change units in S.I.
3 Measuring Distance and Length in the Metric System Students measure objects using m, cm, and mm, then compare them. 1. Measuring in the S.I. 1. Using decimals; converting units in S.I.
4 Using Scale in the Metric System 1. Students find distances on a map using a scale. 2. Students make a scale drawing of their classroom. 3. Studentss make scale model of the solar system. 1. Measuring in the S.I. 1. Using scale and the decimal system in the S.I.
5 Measuring Area in the Metric System 1. Students find the area of objects in the S.I. 2. Students measure the area of their hand. 1. Measuring in the S.I. 1. Averaging, labeling area correctly.
6 Measuring Mass in the Metric System 1. Students make predictions and find the mass of solid objects. 1. Using a triple beam balance. 1. Adding - Reading the triple beam balance. 2. Subtracting - Finding the mass of water.
7 Measuring Liquid Volume in the Metric System 1. Students learn to use a graduated cylinder and measure in mL. 2. Students learn the relationship between a cc, ml, and a gram. 1. Measuring volume with a graduated cylinder. 2. Measuring mass with a balance. Measuring and labeling volume in the SI.
8 Measuring solid volume in the Metric system 1. Students learn to find the volumes of regularly and irregularly shaped objects. 2. Students find the volume of popcorn. 1. Measuring volume with a graduated cylinder and beaker. 1. Subtraction - Finding the volume of soild objects. 2. V = L x W x H
9 Finding the volume of a Gas 1. Students use scientific method to predict the amount of gas in Alka-Seltzer tablet produces. 1. Using a balance. 2. Using a graduated cylinder. 1. Predicting from a table.
10 Graphing 1. Students learn to make and analyze bar and line graphs.   1. Making and analyzing bar and line graphs. 2. Interpolating, extrapolating.
Unit 2
11 Finding the Density of Water 1. Students determine an average density of water using D = Mass/Volume. 1. Using a balance and graduated cylinder accurately. 1. Averaging 2. Rounding Off 3. Graphing 4. Interpolating and extrapolating 5. D = Mass/Volume
12 Finding the Density of Liquids 1. Students find an average density for water, alcohol, and Karo syrup. 1. Using a balance and graduated cylinder. 1. Averaging 2. Rounding Off 3. Graphing 4. D = Mass/Volume
13 Making a Soda Straw Hydrometer 1. Students make a straw hydrometer using BB's and clay. 1. Measuring accurately 1. Comparing known with unknown quantities.
14 Finding the Density of Solids 1. Students find the density solid objects. 1. Using a balance, graduated cylinder, and ruler. 1.V = L x W x H 2. D = Mass/Volume
Unit 3
15 The Three Laws of Motion 1. Students make flip card cartoons of Newton's three laws. 1. Drawing  
16 Gravity 1. Teacher Demonstrations of Gravity 2. Students determine the acceleration of a marble on different inclines. 1. Measuring 2. Timing 1. Graphing distance vs. time.
17 Pendulum 1. Students determine which factor effects the period of a pendulum. 1. Measuring 2. Timing 1. Graphing # of oscillation vs. release height, mass, and pendulum length.
18 Friction 1. Students determine the friction of 3 different surfaces. 2. Students determine the friction of string, fishing line, and wire using a baloon jet . 1. Measuring 2. Massing 1. Percent
19 Work and Power 1. Students calculate the power they use in watts to run up stairs. 1. Measuring 2. Timing 1. Work = Force x Distance 2. Power = Work/Time 3. Joules/Sec = Watt
20 Pulleys 1. Students determine the mechanical advantage of 4 pulley set-ups. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 1. Work= f x d 2. Newton-meter 3. Mech Advantage = Mass/Force
21 The Inclined Plane 1. Students determine the forece saved and mechanical advantage of 4 inclined planes. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 1. M.A.= Length/Height 2. FR x LR = FE x LE
22 Lever 1. Students determine the M.A. of levers. 2. Students predict mass necessary to balance levers. 3. Students predicet where a 100g weight should be placed to balance a lever. 1. Predicting 2. Measuring 1. M.A.= Length/Height 2. FR x LR = FE x LE 3. IMA =Effort Arm /Resistance Arm
23 Spring Calibration 1. Students determine the stretch of a spring vs. weight. 2. Students determine stretch of spring with an unknown object. 3. Students make a graph, interpolate the weight of unknown object. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 3. Predicting 1. Graphing 2. Interpolating
24 The Measurement of Speed 1. Students determine their own speed over a 50 m course. 1. Timing 1. Speed = Distance/Time
25 Buoyancy 1. Students make a boat from plasticine clay, then determine how many pennies the boat will hold before it sinks. 1. Measuring volume 1. Calculating Bouyancy and Force
26 Magnetic Force 1. Students determine attractive force of 2 magnets by placing one on a balance, and bringing the other one closer. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 1. Graphing
Unit 4
27 Waves and Light 1. Two teacher demonstrations of waves 2. Students make and use a pinhole viewer. 3. Students learn relationships between wavelength and energy. 1. Students make viewer  
28 Light and Color 1. Teacher demonstration of prism 2. Teacher demonstration of primary colors of light 3. Students make and use a prism 4. Students make and use a spectroscope 1. Students make a prism and spectroscope.  
29 Reflection and Refraction 1. Students observe refraction of liquids. 2. Students compare reflection and refraction. 3. Students study reflection in 2 mirrors. 4. Students study reflection in 1 mirror. 1. Measuring 2. Comparing 3. Predicting 1. Graphing
30 Lenses and their Uses 1. Students determine the focal length of a convex lens. 2. Students calculate the magnification of a lens. 3. Students make a refractor telescope. 1. Measuring 2. Making a telescope 1. Calculating magnification.
31 Sound 1. Students determine relationship between high pitch--short wavelength and low pitch--long wavelength using rulers. 2. Students make string telephones with various materials, and compare them. 1. Measuring 2. Comparing  
32 Temperature and Heat 1. Students measure the temperature of 3 liquids as they are heated. 1. Measuring temperature 2. Timing 1. Graping 2. Interpolation
33 Spicfic Heat of Metals 1. Students compare heat abosorption and loss of lead and aluminum. 1. Measuring temperature 1. Heat calculations 2. Graphing
Unit 5
34 Magnetism 1. Teacher demonstration of magnetic poles. 2. Students determine if induced magnetism can be increased. 3. Students make a picture of a magnetic field using spray adhesive. 1. Comparing 2. Students make picture 3. Observation 1. Graphing
35 Electrical Charges 1. Teacher demonstration of electrical charges. 1. Observation 2. Predicting 1
36 Electricity and Magnetism 1. Students determine how many wire wraps on an iron bar pick up how many paper clips. 2. Teacher demonstration of a Galvanometer. 1. Observation 1. Graphing 2. Interpolation
37 Making an Electric Motor 1. Students make a simple electric motor. 1. Constructing the motor.  
38 Electrical Circuits 1. Students make working flashlights using 4 methods. 1. Constructing the flashlights.  
39 Atoms 1. Students make atoms mobiles. 1. Constructing the mobiles. 1. Determining protons, neutrons,and electrons.
40 Chemical Reactions 1. Students observe and describe 3 chemical reactions--color change, gas production, and a precipiatate. 1. Measuring 2. Observing  
41 Convervation of Matter 1. Students mass 3 reaction-- before and after reacting-- and determine if there are any changes. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 3. Observing 1. Subtraction-determining if there are mass differences before and after the reaction.
42 Glueball Chemistry (and Physics!) 1. Students make a polymer from Elmer's glue and Boraxo, find densities of all. 2. Students compare bounce heights for ploymer balls. 1. Measuring 2. Massing 1. D = M/V 2. Graphing
43 Concentrations and Dilutions of Liquids 1. Students make a straw pipette. 2. Students serially dilute food color until they can't see it anymore. 1. Measuring volume 1. Powers of 10
44 Making Concentrations with Solids. 1. Students make concentrations of salt water. 2. Students find the concentration of salt in an unknown solution. 1. Measuring volume 2. Mass 1. Percentages
45 Acid and Base Indicators 1. Students use 4 indicators to test various acid and base indicators. 2. Students extract phenolp. from Ex-Lax. 1. Measuring 2. Comparing 3. Observing 1. Powers of 10
46 Growing Crystals under the microscope 1. Students observe the formation of 4 different crystals under the microscope. 1. Observing 2. Comparing  
47 Ink Chromatography 1. Students separate black ink using different solvents. 2.-Students determine the Rf of the inks. 1. Measuring volume 2. Observing 3. Comparing 1. Calculating Rf
48 Carbon Dioxide 1. Students determine whether CO2 supports combustion. 2. Students determine if CO2 causes limewater to turn a different shade. 3. Students determine whether CO2 is heavier than air. 1. Measuring volume 2. Massing 3. Comparing 4. Observing 1. Calculating the difference between the mass of air and CO2.
49 Production of Hydrogen Gas 1. Students determine whether longer strips of Mg metal produce accordingly more H2. 1. Measuring length and volume 1. Graphing
50 Determining the Percentage of Oxygen in the Atmosphere 1. Students determine the % of O2 in the atmosphere. 1. Observing 2. Measuring 1. Calculating % 2. Calculating % error
51 Production of Oxygen Gas 1. Students make and test oxygen. 1. Observing 2. Measuring  
52 Batteries 1. Students make and test a battery. 1. Observing 2. Measuring 1. Graphing
53 Electrical Conductivity of Solutions 1. Students make a conductivity tester and use it with different solutions. 1. Observing 2. Measuring  
54 Electroplating 1. Students electroplate copper. 1. Observing 2. Measuring 1. Graphing


Last Updated on 3/24/99
By Steve Wavra
Email: wavra@sdsc.edu