Synthesis of Scientific Concepts Across Courses
Reflection
Energy has been a reoccurring theme in all of our courses. In physics we focused on potential and kinetic energy when we discussed motion. In chemistry we discussed energy in terms of light and heat. In biology we focused on sources of energy required for biological processes and in environmental and earth science, we addressed the energy needed to power geological systems. Finally in biochemistry we again returned to potential and kinetic energy when analyzing chemical reactions. The projects below shows evidence of work I have done that focuses on forms of energy from several courses.
Why these pieces were chosen: Final Chemistry Project
Energy Poker
Piece from quiz in biochemistry
Each of these three pieces illustrates a concept of energy we learned about in our classes.
How this evidence shows growth:
Prior to these classes I didn't link energy up as a recurring theme in all aspects of science. I thought of it in isolation within each discipline. I now feel confident in being able to integrate the topic of energy to show connections across the disciplines. I can show how light energy is used in the process of photosynthesis, how it is released during chemical reactions and how it is converted into energy when captured by solar panels or used as fuel to keep our bodies working. Integrating a single concept would help students make better connections across the science disciplines.
Evidence:
Chemistry - Final Project - finalchemistryproject.htm
In our final project we were asked to investigate an aspect of chemistry that interested us and provided insights into the unfolding of a discovery as it changed through time. I chose the topic of the electromagnetic spectrum and investigated Newton’s fascination and experiments with it.
I developed a lesson to be used with my students that would help them understand that different light sources produce different spectra. The spectrum produced by a luminous object is determined by the wavelengths of light emitted by the object and understand how spectroscopy can be used as an analytical tool.
Environmental Science - Analysis of Energy Poker Game - energypoker.htm
Introduction: An ecosystem consists of species in a biological community (biotic) interacting with each other and with the physical and chemical factors that make up their environment (abiotic). Plants and animals in an environment interact with each other in various ways. The interaction of living and nonliving components affects the qualities and characteristics of an ecosystem. Overall, energy influences which types of plants and animals live in an ecosystem. To investigate the flow of energy in a food chain, we took part in a hands-on activity titled, “Energy Poker.” After playing the game, we evaluated its strengths and weaknesses, shared how we could each individually adapt the game into our classroom, discussed possible extensions of the activity, and comprised a list of further questions.
Biochemistry: In the following document you will see evidence of energy concepts that were discussed in our biochemistry class. In biology we learned about the structure of ATP and in biochemistry we learned how it is used in a chemical process. Other energy concepts discussed were the collision theory.