Jenna Dyer

  What did you learn this week?  This week, we learned about density and how it affects whether something floats or sinks in water. We also learned how to calculate density, which is mass divided by volume. We did an experiment with M&M's to see how different things affect how the color spreads. We put the M&M's in hot water and waited for a minute, then measured how far the color spread in centimeters. We did the same with ice water and found that the color spread faster in the hot water. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew?  Yes, I can relate what I learned to what I already knew. For example, I already knew that things float or sink depending on their density, but learning how to calculate density using mass and volume helped me understand the science behind it better. The experiment with the M&M's also made me realize how temperature can change the way things behave, which ties into what I know about how heat affects molecules ...

  What did you learn this week? This week in lab, I learned about the different properties of matter and how they can change depending on what the material is. We tested things like clay, wax, crayons, erasers, chalk, pennies, tin foil, and wood. We also checked if they would float or sink, their size and weight, if they were magnetic, and if they could conduct electricity. One surprising thing was that some objects I thought would be magnetic, like the coin, weren’t attracted to the magnet at all. It was interesting to see how different materials behave in these experiments. I also learned about how different pennies have different weights and masses, and it could be due to when the pennies were made.   Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew?  Yes, I can relate what I learned this week to what I already knew. For example, I already understood basic ideas like mass, volume, and why some things float or sink. But the experiments we did in the...

What did you learn this week?  This week, I learned about many different topics based off of the different experiments we did. First, I found out that when baking soda and vinegar mix, they create carbon dioxide gas, which causes fizzing and bubbling. This reaction also makes the mixture cooler because it absorbs heat from the surroundings. I also learned how water temperature affects how quickly things dissolve. For example, M&Ms dissolve faster in hot water because heat speeds up the process. Another thing I learned about was condensation . When a cold soda can is exposed to warm air, water vapor in the air cools down and forms droplets on the outside of the can. These observations showed me how everyday things are connected to science and helped me understand how reactions, dissolving, and condensation work. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew?  What I learned this week connects to some things I already knew. For example, when baking soda ...

  What did you learn this week?  This week, we learned about evolution and its four main drivers: natural selection, genetic drift, migration, and mutation. Natural selection is the only one that isn’t random because it helps organisms survive. We did a preying on beans activity to see how natural selection works. We also visited the School of the Wild and acted as students in their lessons. In the lab, we talked about mutations and genetic drift, which is when allele frequencies change randomly. Migration can change the biodiversity in populations over time. We also learned how adaptation relates to natural selection. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? Yes, I can relate what I learned to what I already knew. I knew natural selection was important, but I learned it’s the only driver that’s not random. I also knew about mutations, but now I understand how they can affect evolution, especially with genetic drift, which is random. Migration makes se...