Mosaic Freeschool

  • Home
  • Classes
    • Classes '22-'23
    • Past Classes
  • Facilitators
    • Mosaic Facilitators
    • Educator Network
  • Enroll
    • Admissions
    • Registration
    • Payment
  • Contact
  • Opportunities
  • Home
  • Classes
    • Classes '22-'23
    • Past Classes
  • Facilitators
    • Mosaic Facilitators
    • Educator Network
  • Enroll
    • Admissions
    • Registration
    • Payment
  • Contact
  • Opportunities

Mosaic Minutes

Astronomy Class Summary 10/20/14

10/21/2014

 
with Leigh Ann Yoder

The Goldilocks Principle

Venus is too hot! Mars is too cold! Earth is just right!

In class the students were introduced to the atmospheric differences between the three "sister" planets in a graphic and hands-on way.  We began by discussing the greenhouse effect which is the effect of the atmosphere to trap heat. We also discussed the trace gases in our atmosphere known as the greenhouse gases, and how they function much like the glass plates found on a greenhouse used for growing plants.


We used a table to show the percentages of the main atmospheric elements on all three planets. Students then modeled this data using jelly beans. Modeling allowed them to think about a concept that could not be observed directly. After completing the models, we needed to address the effect of atmospheric pressure on our three planets. Earth's atmospheric pressure is 1/90th that of Venus and 100 times that of Mars. Again, by modeling with our jelly beans, students were easily able to understand the concept and its effects.
Picture
Picture
Picture
We discussed that many scientists believe that the composition of our atmosphere is due to the presence of life, and that life creates a dynamic balance. If life were to disappear would our planet come to resemble Mars or Venus?

We finished by creating another table to compare the temperature on the planets if we eliminated the greenhouse gases, and their actual temperatures. Using this table again reinforced the importance of these trace elements in our atmosphere.
Picture
Picture
Next week Ranger Bob will be visiting us again as we take a walk with Galileo! Please have your student at Mosaic by 9:55.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Homework

Required:
ECA Chapter 5
Lending Library Book
Moon Log

Optional:
ACG - Complete the Book
NB - pg. 55, 56, 60, 62

Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Afternoon Enrichment
    Closures
    Clubs
    Early Elementary
    Mosaic Texas
    Odyssey Of The Mind
    Out Of This World
    Philosophy
    Tesserae Fall 2012
    Tesserae Fall 2013
    Tesserae Fall 2014
    Tesserae Spring 2013
    Tesserae Spring 2014
    Tesserae Spring 2015
    Tesserae Spring 2016

    Archives

    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from nojhan, Clay Gilliland, mynameisharsha, kim siciliano salem, matthewvenn, photogirl7.1, El Bibliomata, ~Brenda-Starr~, Anne Worner, Heather Bickle, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Black.Dots., marta.b, Felipe Venâncio, A. Galassi, bibliojojo, Bibliothèque - Les Champs Libres - Rennes, Robert Hensley, opensourceway, Greenland Travel, est1996x, John-Morgan, camnjeanacess, plindberg, chrisjtse, Vox Efx, philosophygeek, utpala ॐ, Cea., Phil Roeder, andreazgarcia, stevecadman, laynasaur, Steve A Johnson, mattk1979, Tattooed Hippy, spacepleb, Mateus Hidalgo, Todd Binger, TRF_Mr_Hyde, ComputerHotline, Hampshire and Solent Museums, Ben Sutherland, philip_sheldrake, WeeLittlePiggy, echiner1, gruntzooki, emmeffe6, saoire, symphony of love, ups2006, Dave_B_, bobsfever, Kelly Short6, RichardBH, frau-Vogel, Skype Nomad, giopuo, Tomi Tapio