Mr. Gibson's Science Courses Web-Site

Subplans - Monday March 26th  By clicking on this link you can open my subplans for this date. In the MS word document, if you then click on "view" at the top and select 130%... this will provide you the largest image that will still be viewable in its entirety on the Smart-board Screen. "Freeze" the image and it won't fade when the teacher's station computer goes into hybernation. Otherwise, just shake the mouse to awaken the image again.

Per my notice through AESOP, this link will take you to the MS-word document that you can open on the Smartboard. If in doubt, the students know how. This way you don't have to re-write it on the Smartboard.

Thank-you in advance,

Mr. Gibson

Science-Vision & Perspective  In general, this page sums up how science has been viewed over the ages. I have used quotes from some pretty well known and accomplished scientists to illustrate how science should always be subject to collaborative scrutiny and data-driven change.

Hope you are intrigued and are made to "think outside the box" with some of these the theories and studies.

I) - A mathematical model to many of our observable world's systems developed by Italian mathematician Fibonacci.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nAycC7sGVI

If it does not open directly for you, "paint it" and hold down the control button and left-click on the link.

II) Another geometric sequence called "fractiles" do a very nice job of describing what seems to be "random" or "chaotic" patterns in living and non-living systems.

Nova - Hunting The Hidden Dimension (fractals)

And lastly, a high tech computer animated (using 1000 microprocessors working in tandem) use of the Kobi (1989), WMAP (2000) & Planck (2008) satellites imagining -and- the concepts noted in the above two links to piece together our universe and its pattern of design.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c64Aia4XE1Y 

Due to a weakness in schoolrack, I cannot "grade" your assignment submissions and attach the graded copy with comments and return them to you for your review and subsequent questions.

I can only provide a grade.

So, with that being said -- this is the email address I will be using to link a saved copy of your graded assignments to send back to you.

In all my classes we will create a gmail account for each student and I will record your account name and also record your passwords. We will use this gmail address ONLY for returning graded submitted assignments sent through the schoolrack system.

Any other email accounts will not be part of this process.

Sorry for the downside to schoolrack, but it is what it is.

Mr. Gibson (Wednesday October 6, 2010)

Lab Report Template By clicking on this link you can open a copy of the template to be used for writing up your PRE-LAB reports. A lab, if properly executed is worth at least 36 points. (Depending upon additional questions submitted in a lab's overview... there could be additional points assigned to a particular lab). This pre-lab template gets you zeroed in on what you are going to be doing in the lab as well as tie the exercise [to] classroom studies/lectures. NO ONE should go into a laboratory exercise without knowing what they will be doing -- and what is going on in the lab (this not only optimizes learning but it also provides for the optimum in SAFETY).

Make sure the titles are literally written as a heading for each section's paragraph AND those titles are underlined.

ALL students will ALWAYS turn in individuals reports even if working with a partner!!! (So make sure you have filled out your data sheet as you do the lab for yourself. The excuse of "my partner isn't here today... when writing up your final report won't be acceptable).

Writing A Formal Lab Report - Click on this link to download your guideline for writing your final FORMAL lab report for turning in. Regarding the Final Lab Report - besides the rubric that you must follow for each lab exercise performed you must use the linked Final Report Form [for] your final report.

Mr. Gibson

Lab Report Grading Rubric  By opening this link you will download the grading rubric we will use in this class for lab reports you will be submitting.

Remember, the graded report with comments will be "returned" to you via your gmail account.

Mr. Gibson

An example of a full-value student lab report is on this link: 

eg graded lab report full value

http://www.classmarker.com/logout.php?logout=2  For exams &/or quizzes -- as assigned in any given class -- click on this link to open Class Marker to access your quiz or exam.

This link should take you to their "log-in" page. If so, then use your School-Rack messaged "user name" and the "temporary sign-in code" for that exam.

Log in and follow the test's/quiz's directions in Class Marker. Remember, you can change answers while taking the test (you are allowed 43 minutes maximum in ONE sitting). If you don't answer your all your questions... Class Marker will mark them as being incorrect). If you don't finish your exam in the single session allowed the test will cut off and mark any unfinished portions as being incorrect. See me if this happens.

Last, each test will require a new log-in code that I will provide the day of the test.

Mr. Gibson

 image source: http://www.sciencephoto.com/

Biology & Physiology Tidbits   By clicking on this link you can open a power point that has a series of oddities in nature and about humans.  Probably... more than you will ever want to know about too...  Enjoy!

Mr. Gibson

Lab Safety Rules & Procedures  This link will take you to my Lab Safety Rules &  Procedures "Baker's Dozen Plus One" (14) power point that we will be covering in class room discussions today (Tues. 13-Sept-2011).

These rules and procedures are for YOUR safety and that of your fellow students. They are NOT negotiable and they are strictly adhered to.

Late in the week you will have a quiz on these rules in order to earn your "Safety Certificate". Without the certificate you CANNOT participate in any lab exercise.

Also, on the certificate are three boxes I will stamp on a periodic basis [as to] your certification being still valid to practice lab exercises. If I see behavior or lack of attentiveness during any daily class activities or lab exercises that lead me to believe you are not in control of your actions on a mature level -- I  will stamp a box. Three stamps and again you will have to recertify in order to participate in lab exercises.

Please NOTE!! Even though you may not be certified to participate in laboratory exercises due to non-certification; you WILL still be observing our activities and will be required to complete all lab reports, problems, exam related questions and Glogster summary walls as assigned... it will just be work without the fun.

I do believe you will all be able to certify, but it is up to you as a young man or woman to be able to stay focused and act safely during lab exercises.

So let's go have fun with the "smoke-fire-&-stink" of lab exercises but do so SAFELY!

Mr. Gibson

Thermodynamics Overview  This link will serve as a learing experience and then will be a reference guide of prior knowledge as we go deeper into your respective science disciplines over the course of the school year.

Mr. Gibson

Six Step Scientific Method Template for Lab Exercises  By clicking on this template you will be able to apply the six step scientific method template to organize your thoughts, approaches and studies for experiments, demonstrations, and/or naturally observed events.

Mr. Gibson - Thursday 22-September

4 Laws of Thermodynamics_Concept Circles for studies, experiments, or observations

By clicking on this link you will be able to open up a concept circle template that will allow you to review the constructs of the Laws of Thermodynamics and then apply them to your studies in your field of scientific discipline.

Mr. Gibson