Welcome to Physical Science ENERGY – PYHSICS MATTER - CHEMISTRY

THREE QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT WANT ANSWERS TO… 1) Who am this teacher? 2) Why do I have to be here? 3) What is Physical Science?

1) My name is Mrs. Staron I have one daughter, Amanda, who is a middle school librarian in Sheboygan. I have 2 cats, Ibra (Ibby) & Solcintra (Sollie). I enjoy reading science fiction, and had at one time one of the largest private libraries of SF in the US – over 3000 books I am a musician, and I play the mountain dulcimer. I love to travel! An accident in the 1980’s wrecked my knees, and even with new knees, the scooter is important to help me get around – and unfortunately, you can’t try it (insurance)… Please don’t sit on it, or play with the controls. I graduated from Appleton East in 1968, and from UW-GB in 1972 with a BS (in biology, physical science & geology) & worked on a MS in statistics and computer science. I’m certified to teach science from grade 7 – 11, and also ED (which I taught here at Preble for 5 or 6 years).

2) Why am you here? GBPS requires 3 science classes to graduate: Physical Science & Biology & one other. Colleges usually ask for 3 years of high-school science for entrance. I believe science is a way of thinking. It forces you to be organized (like math does) and helps teach you to think in an orderly manner.

The universe has rules. Science discovers these rules.

What is Science? Science refers to a system of knowledge and methods for acquiring that knowledge. Uses observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena. Refers to the organized body of knowledge people have gained using that system. Often describes any systematic field of study or the knowledge gained from it. (ex. Natural sciences: physical, chemistry, Earth science)

Standard System of Measurement International System of Units (SI) Seven standard units; we’ll use 3 or 4. Length – meter Volume – liter Mass – grams Temperature – degrees May be modified with prefixes – we’ll use: Milli – 1/1000 Centi – 1/100 Deci – 1/10 Kilo - 1000

3) What is Physical Science?   Physical Science is the study of matter and energy.

MATTER Matter is anything that has mass & takes up space ( has volume). Examples: rocks, soda, pet snake NOT matter: courage, love, red

ENERGY Energy is particle movement or the capacity for doing work (moving stuff, including particles) Examples: heat, light, wind, Renewable thrown baseballs Energy

Everything we perceive around us is Therefore, the 2 semesters of physical science are: Physics – the study of energy and its changes and Chemistry – the study of matter & its interactions   Everything we perceive around us is either matter or energy.

PROBLEM… Statistics show that 93% of accidents in the science classroom or lab are caused by FAILURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. 70% of those accidents are caused by freshman. So please follow directions!

EVERY ONE OF YOU CAN PASS! It is important that you keep up with the work. You do that by being organized, so things don’t get lost & are turned in ON TIME. You do that by participating – in discussions and labs. You do that by spending some time in thought – thinking about what’s going on in class. You do that by fully completing all the things that I hope will help you learn the material.

3 Things to do to Succeed 1. Pay attention 2. Follow directions (ask if you’re not sure!) 3. Persist! (Keep trying)

SUCCESS It’s been said that success takes 3 things: Finding out what you need to do. Being shown how to do it. Doing it. I’ll help you with the first 2; you need to do the third.