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= = =__Scientific Method Differentiation Projects:__= Quick activity: where you are asked to examine & measure a mysterious bone and figure out which missing person it belongs to... Directions are on pg 24 and 25 of this document: []

**1. New study wonders: [|Was Ötzi's body placed on a burial platform made of stones?] ** **2. Forensic Archeology: Can you figure out an ancient "whodunit?"** Click here: [|http://anthropology.si.edu/writteninbone/comic/#]

The Secret in the Cellar, is a Webcomic based on an authentic forensic case of a recently discovered 17th Century body. Using graphics, photos, and online activities, the Webcomic unravels a mystery of historical, and scientific importance. Online sleuths can analyze artifacts and examine the skeleton for the tell-tale forensic clues that bring the deceased to life and establish the cause of death.

Here are some additional resources that help you learn about how scientists use forensics to figure out facts about unidentified remains:
 * __Live Science -- [] __
 * __BBC diagram of skeleton – [] __

**3. How do real CSI scientists work?** **Read the article -->** [|CSI vs. Real Life]**Then share what you've learned by designing a book for our class library / or create a poster /or online weebly that compares the myths with the reality of real CSI scientists:**
 * you can make a book with an online tool found at []
 * you can make your own weebly website at []


 * 4. Did you know that some people claim that fingerprint identification should not be used in criminal cases? Read about the arguments "for" and "against"** -->[|NY Times article] -- **then you decide what evidence you would present to a jury.** Click below to print the student work guide:

Answer the non-fiction assessment questions below: a. What is the key idea of the video? b. Who are the main people/animals involved? c. What problems has the scientist encountered? d. How could you design an experiment to see if humans & dolphins can communicate?
 * 5. Watch this video from The New York Times** about a scientist who is trying to design an experiment where humans and dolphins can communicate. [|Click here to view the video] & read the article.

Use this game to test your deductive skills and your forensic knowledge. Click on the link below to print the student work guide:
 * 6. [|Forensic Science Interactive Game]-- help Detective Wilson and Detective Marlow solve a gruesome murder!**

[|Hat Snatcher] [|Tugboat Thug] [|Squeak Sneak]
 * 7. PBS Kids.org CSI Games:**

**8. Choose your own webquest to investigate** (make sure you choose the right grade level) []

=__**MEASUREMENT DIFFERENTIATION:**__= PhET Estimation Game -- You can click on the embedded window below to start the training. When you are finished training, ONLY THEN can you start the game itself. (P.S. If the window doesn't show up on your computer, you may not have the right plug-ins... try this link to go directly to the website: []) media type="custom" key="10888870" width="42" height="42"

= __ENERGY LINKS__ = (Don't waste time looking all over the web! Click here to find many good websites for energy research) __ [|Check out The Fun Theory] __ -- Voltzwagon is sponsoring a contest for people who can make "doing the right thing" fun! Watch their three funny videos online & plan your own. Once your story boards are finished, you can begin filming & editing!

[|Webquest: Photosynthesis] (choose one of the 4 tasks to work on)

= **__Acceleration__** = [|BrainPop] watch this movie to learn about acceleration & take the quiz to see how well you understand the topic... then you are ready to find the acceleration of your rubber band car. [|Khan Academy] -- If you need to see an example problem for acceleration, check this out.

= **__Biology Differentiation Resources:__** = [|Animal Diversity Web] (use the search box to find out about any animal you choose!) [|Dendrology (Tree Identification)] (What kind of trees are in our neighborhood? How can you find out?) [|NY Times article: Man-made self-replicating molecule... Is it living or not?] [|Create a DNA fingerprint] (Figure out the mystery with an online lab) [|The Story of DNA] [|Neuroscience for Kids] (you can use the search box in the sidebar to find great articles about psychology... Example: search keyword "dogs" & check out the article about dogs "catching yawns" from humans. Very interesting! PS Be sure to click the button for searching Neuroscience website ONLY, otherwise it goes to a Google search) [|Scientific Name Game] (About.com) [|7th Grade Bacteria Games] .... Flame Tests -- (check out this interesting video) media type="custom" key="10246285"

=__Genetics, the basics:__= [|Online Punnett square animated practice] [|Basic flashcards for our Genetics unit] [|More advanced flashcards for our Genetics unit] (NOTE: There are a few extra terms in here that we won't be tested on.) [|Link to a good summary of Genetics concepts & vocab] [|Virtual online lab activity that will help you learn how to use a Punnett Square]

= __Catapult & Trebuchet Links:__  = [|Castle Kids:] (Tour a mighty make-believe Lego castle, find designs for cardboard or paper castles & learn at the same time!) [|Life in a Medieval Castle] [|The Grey Company Trebuchet Page] (pictures & historical info about trebuchets & other kinds "leverage artillery") [|Trebuchet Physics] [|How to Build Catapults and Trebuchets] [|Siege-Engines.com] (Be sure to check the "Engineering" tab at the top too!) [|Catapult page] (Some easy ones to put together for games & test shots) [|Trebuchet Game] [|How Do Catapults Work?] [|Build a Lego Trebuchet] (instructions, pictures & videos) (good video instructions)

= **__Robotics:__**  = Watch this video to learn how to make a little robot out of a toothbrush [|Online -- "Build A Bot"] [|Electronics Club Website:] (Good place to find out about electronic circuits, symbols & projects) [|Robolab line follower] (video and programming instructions) [|NXT Robotics Tutorials] [|NXT Basic Programming help] [|Robolab Basic programming help] (This includes line following, touch sensors, wait for dark, etc.) Robolab "Inventor 4" Level instructions [|Online 'Design Your Own Robot" interactive] [|Video: Students design a Lego robot for the FIRST LEAGUE competition]  [|Mario Farrari's webpage with loads of Lego RCX ideas!]

= = = ** __Chemistry Links:__ **  = __ [|Balancing Chemical Equations] __ (interactive website) [|The Periodic Table of Videos]: Short videos about every element on the periodic table & other cool chemistry stuff [|The Periodic Table of Relative Abundance]: This periodic table looks weird because each little section is sized bigger or smaller in order to match the amount of the element that is found here on Earth.

= Fun Links: = [|Non-Newtonian fluid] (like our Oobleck!) A real life substance that is flexible and can be molded. When you strike it, it hardens and protects. [|A Pool Filled With Non-Newtonian Fluid] --check out this video of a pool full of Oobleck! [|Your Amazing Brain] (test your brain & find out what you're good at) [|Working Memory Test] (Try it yourself... how many words can you remember?) [|The Developing Brain Interactive Display] [|Extreme Adventure Challenge] [|Science Webquests:] Click here to find a list of interesting online investigations [|Thinkquest Library of Webquests] : (use the search box to find an online investigation of your own choice)

TEACHERS: Sign up your class for [|GAMESTAR MECHANIC], a free program that lets students design their own video game