Summer Engineering Experience for Girls (SEE)

When: 7/15/13-7/26/13

Where: Carnegie Mellon University

Do you enjoy:

• Math and science? 
• Learning about engineering?
• Hands-on activities, and designing and building things?
• Problem solving and working in teams?
• Developing your thinking skills to solve real-world problems?
• Making the world a better place?

If you answered yes to these questions, if you are a girl, and if you will be entering 8th or 9th grade in Fall 2012, then the Summer Engineering Experience for Girls (SEE) is the program for you!

Website : Click here to learn more (Application deadline - May 3rd, 2013)

The Giver Chapters 19-23 Terms

The terms for The Giver Chapters 19-23 have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms will be on Friday, February 22nd.

CH 10: Weathering and Soil Formation Key Terms

What Rock is it?: 2012-2013

The Supernova students spent some time identifying various rocks in science class based on their physical properties. 

The Giver Chapters 14-18 Vocabulary Terms

The Giver vocabulary terms from Chapters 14-18 have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms will be on Tuesday, February 12th.

Bonus: Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest

It is time to submit your entries for the Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest. One of the most significant moments in Major League Baseball history was when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. In celebration of the anniversary, the Pittsburgh Pirates have invited CMS to participate in their art, essay, and poetry contest. Any student who wishes to participate is to see Mrs. Porter for a copy of the contest rules and entry form. All submissions are due to Mrs. Porter by Friday, March 8th. Any student who participates and follows all contest rules will receive bonus points towards their third quarter English grade.

Winning prizes include (subject to change & amp; availability):

- Pittsburgh Pirates complimentary game tickets

- Special on-field pregame recognition

- Autograph item(s)

- Pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities

- Complimentary Food & Beverages

- Pirates Promotional package You can review the winning submissions from last year by clicking this link.



This was originally posted on Tuesday, December 4th.

Students of the Month: January

The Supernova teachers would like to congratulate the following Supernovas for earning student of the month honors for the month of January.

Social Studies: Alyssa B.

English: Megan V.
Science: Izzy S.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Brittney C.

The Giver Terms for Chapters 10-13

The Giver terms for Chapters 10-13  have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms will be on Tuesday, February 5th.

Science Class: 1/28/12-1/30/12

Homework Reminder: Chapter 4 Vocabulary (14 Words) - Due 1/31
a. Write the word and definition for all 14 words on the back of your vocabulary graph or a separate sheet of paper.
b. Complete the vocabulary graph for one of the vocabulary words.
Note: This assignment is to be done on your own time.  You can earn 1 bonus point if you color your illustration.

Please complete the following steps in order. Please remain silent and on-task during the entire class period.  

Note: If you owe ANY work, you are to complete the work that you owe before beginning the assignments listed below.  Periods 8/9, 10, and 11 will take the CH 7-3 & 7-4 exam before completing the steps below. 

1. Complete the "Mountain Scavenger Hunt."  (Due 1/30)

Mountain Scavenger Hunt Website

Mountain Scavenger Hunt Digital Copy

2. Complete: "Web Activity: Rocks & the Rock Cycle." This assignment will take at least two days. You may take the quiz at the end of this activity as many times as you like. This assignment is due February 4th.

3. Complete the homework described at the beginning of this post if you have not done so already.

4. Pick from the following options once everything else is complete.

Option 1: Complete a "Read & React" paper for bonus.

Option 2: Examine the rock kits near the windows. The rock kits are separated by rock type: metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous. Use the rock description key to learn about each rock. Please remain silent and limit to three students at a time.

Option 3: Click here to visit some enrichment websites on rocks.

Option 4: Google Earth - When the website opens, click on the "View in Google Earth" link. Click here to explore volcanoes around the world.

Option 5: Click here to explore various science simulations. See Mr. Wolf for a username and password.

Option 6: Video - How the Earth Was Made: Hawaii. If you choose this option, you must use headphones.

Option 7: Click here to explore various volcano websites.

Science Class: January 22nd, 2013

Please complete the following steps in order. Please remain silent and on-task during the entire class period.

1. Turn in - "Fun Dough Lab: Stress and Faults" (Due Today)

Note - If you were absent for the lab and do not have Play-Doh at home, please see Mr. Wolf for the materials to conduct the lab at this time.

2. Finish the "Plate Tectonics: Online Activity".  Turn the packet in once it is complete. The packet is due on January 23rd (Tomorrow).

3. Complete the "Mountain Scavenger Hunt".  The activity will be due on January 30th.

• Mountain Scavenger Hunt Website
• Mountain Scavenger Hunt Digital Copy

4. Pick from the following options once you complete all the other steps:

Option 1: Click on the link below to explore various websites to further your understanding of plate tectonics.

"Enrichment Websites: Plate Tectonics"
(Note: Click on the GREEN links when visiting the enrichment websites.)

Option 2: Complete a "Read and React" paper for bonus points.

Play-Doh Lab: Stress and Faults (12-13)

Mr. Wolf's 8th grade science classes used Play-Doh to model and identify various types of stress and faults.

The Giver Terms for Chapters 6-9

The Giver terms for Chapters 6-9 have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms will be on Tuesday, January 29th.

The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Information from the website:
Do you have what it takes to be America's Top Young Scientist? Discovery Education and 3M are looking for students in grades 5-8 who are enthusiastic about science. The top 10 students will receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN to compete for the chance to win $25,000!

http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/registrations/enterNow.cfm

Science Class: January 9th-11th

Please complete the following steps in order. Please remain silent and on-task during the entire class period.

1. Ensure all the questions from the "Sea-floor Spreading Lab" are complete. Also, make sure that you identified what feature occurs at the corresponding location on the ocean floor for questions 1 and 2. This would either being a mid-ocean ridge or a trench. Place the lab questions in the bin near the teacher's computer.

2. Click on the link to complete the "CH 7-1 & 7-2 Quia Activity" using the Quia website. You are allowed to take the activity up to three times. If you do not score a 30 out of 30 (100%), retake the activity until you score a perfect or you have used all three attempts. Only your best score will be recorded in the gradebook.

Note: You may use your notes, book, and internet to help you with the activity. You are not allowed to communicate the answers with other students. The school’s cheating consequences will be followed if you are caught sharing answers. See your student handbook for more information.

3. Finish any work that you currently owe. Mr. Wolf will be around to let you know if you owe any work.

4. Complete the "Plate Tectonics: Online Activity". Ensure you have a copy of the activity. This activity will take longer than one class period. Turn the packet in once it is complete. The packet will be due on January 23rd.

5. Pick from the following options once you complete all the other steps:

Option 1: Click on the link below to explore various websites to further your understanding of plate tectonics.

"Enrichment Websites: Plate Tectonics"
(Note: Click on the GREEN links when visiting the enrichment websites.)

Option 2: Complete a "Read and React" paper for bonus points.

The Giver Terms for Chapters 1-5

The Giver terms for Chapters 1-5  have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms will be on Wednesday, January 16th.

Penn State Weather Camp (June 23rd-June 28th)

Click on the following link to view information about Penn State's Weather Camp.

http://www.outreach.psu.edu/weather-camp/

The Incredible Edible Earth!: 2012-2013

Under the direction of Mr. Wolf's student teacher for a day, Carlee P., the Supernova science classes spent time creating edible physical models of the Earth's interior. These models didn't last too long because of hungry Supernovas! Fortunately, the real Earth is not in danger because, unlike our models, it does not consist of SunButter, jelly, chocolate chips, grahams crackers, powdered sugar, and honey.

Layers of the Earth Rap Song

The Science Behind December 21st, 2012

A lot of excitement and attention has been generated in the media about the date of December 21st, 2012. Please click on the following link and/or view the video to learn what NASA has to say about what will happen on this date.

2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End?

Video: 12-21-2012 Just Another Day

C-MITES: Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary and Secondary Students

C-MITES offers several enrichment programs for students throughout the calendar year.  Click on the link below to learn more about the student programs and the registration process.  

http://www.cmu.edu/cmites/

Students of the Month: December

The Supernova teachers would like to congratulate the following Supernovas for earning student of the month honors for the month of December.

Social Studies: Reid T.

English: Raven S.
Science: Abby B.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Kelsey B.

How to Work on Your PowerPoint at Home (Edmodo), Sharing Options, and Energy Pathfinder

PowerPoint Due Date: December 13, 2012

Working on the PowerPoint at Home:

Throughout the energy research debate, you may want to work on your PowerPoint at home. You can use the codes below to join our science class on Edmodo.

Period 2: 1r3t9v

Period 6/7: 4f96ve

Period 8/9: 67h869

Period 10: qtokl3

Period 11: a1roul

Once you join the class, you can add the PowerPoint to your "backpack." After you finish working on it at home, make sure you upload the current file to your "backpack" so you will have it available at school.  You can also save other file types and various links to your backpack.  

Sharing and Submitting Options 

Option 1: You can share with your group members by attaching your current version of your PowerPoint, links, pictures, and other files to a "Post" on the class homepage using Edmodo. Use the codes above to join our class. You can also submit the final version of your PowerPoint using the "Final Energy PowerPoint Submission" assignment. 

Option 2: You can save and submit your most recent PowerPoint on the "Accell" share drive on the school's network.  

• Click on "My Computer" 
• Click on "Accell" 
• Click on the folder titled "Mr. Wolf" 
• Save the file in the folder for your class period.

Energy Pathfinder

Please use the following pathfinder to help you get started with your research.  The pathfinder can also be accessed from the library's website.

http://cmspathfinders.wikispaces.com/Energy

Pittsburgh Pirates Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest

It is time to submit your entries for the Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest. One of the most significant moments in Major League Baseball history was when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. In celebration of the anniversary, the Pittsburgh Pirates have invited CMS to participate in their art, essay, and poetry contest. Any student who wishes to participate is to see Mrs. Porter for a copy of the contest rules and entry form. All submissions are due to Mrs. Porter by Friday, March 8th.  Any student who participates and follows all contest rules will receive bonus points towards their third quarter English grade.

Winning prizes include (subject to change & availability):

-          Pittsburgh Pirates complimentary game tickets

-          Special on-field pregame recognition

-          Autograph item(s)

-          Pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities

-          Complimentary Food & Beverages

-          Pirates Promotional package                                                                                                      You can review the winning submissions from last year by clicking this link. 

Students of the Month: November

The Supernova teachers would like to congratulate the following Supernovas for earning student of the month honors for the month of November.

Social Studies: Olivia T.

Science: Matt P.

English: Katie W.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Alexis S.

Rube Goldberg Videos: 2012-2013

Assessment Anchor - S8.C.3: Principles of Motion and Force

Below is a link to Mr. Wolf's SchoolTube channel for viewing Rube Goldberg videos.  Once you click on the link, it would be helpful to sort the videos by "Most Recent" in order to see the videos from this school year.

Mr. Wolf's SchoolTube Channel: Rube Goldberg Videos

While working on the project, the students experienced forces such as gravity and friction. They also utilized simple machines to make their work easier by changing the size and/or direction of the applied force.  The students had the option to create a video or make a poster.  The project packet is shown below.

Rube Goldberg Project