1. Exploration of Science
Fall 2016
With Mrs. Ramirez

2. 6th Grade STEAM Science Elective
The elective science course provides students with experience using the scientific method in many different areas.
Students study a variety of topics important for future growth and development of a strong science background.
Lab experiments are used to reinforce key topics and give students a hands-on approach to science.

3. Topics/Projects Covered Fall Semester
Metric Measurement/Metric Scavenger Hunt
Scientific Method/Boat Building Competition
Speed, Velocity and Momentum/ Building an Egg Safety Device
Potential and Kinetic Energy/ Mouse Trap Race Car
Renewable Energy / Solar Powered Race Car
Problem Solving Techniques/ Fishbone Affinity Diagram
Computer Science/ Artificial Intelligence

4. Behavioral Expectations
Quietly enter the classroom.
Be in their seats when the bell rings with necessary materials each day
Students need to come to class with their text book and planner
Respect the property of the school and others
Keep cell phones OFF and stored safely away unless instructed by the instructor to do otherwise
Any unauthorized cell phones will be confiscated until the end of the day

5. What will I need for this class?
3-Ring Binder
Graph paper, pencils and loose-leaf paper
Highlighter
Plastic Pocket holder (to hold pencil, erasers, etc.)
Pack of index cards.
Binder Checks will be conducted to ensure students are taking proper notes

6. Grades
Content assessment is compiled from homework, warm-ups, quizzes/exams, projects and labs.
The course will follow the grading scale as
Projects 25%
Labs = 25%
Quiz/Exam = 20%
Homework = 15%
Classwork = 10%
Warm-ups = 5%
Grade will be submitted online via Jupiter

7. Grading- Jupiter Students/parents can view grades online
No longer need to ask me what your current grade is
Progress reports can be printed off
Behavioral progress reports can be sent off to parents
Quizzes/Homework will be taken online

8. MAKE-UP WORK
Students have 1 make-up day for each excused absence without penalty.
Late work will not be accepted
If absent work is turned in past the grace period it is considered late and will not be accepted
Lowest lab and homework grade will be dropped

9. Labs Labs will be performed as part of a team
Lab reports are to be written individually
No two lab reports should be identical/ data is the only exception
Identical lab reports is cheating and students will be sent to counselor, receive a 0 for a grade, U for work habits and a call will be made to the parents

10. Labs Labs will be performed as part of a team
Lab reports are to be written individually
No two lab reports should be identical/ data is the only exception
Identical lab reports is cheating and students will be sent to counselor, receive a 0 for a grade, U for work habits and a call will be made to the parents

11. Lab Teams
Students will be assigned to lab teams. During group activities or labs you will work in these teams. I expect people to cooperate and work together.
Each lab team will be responsible for putting equipment & materials back and cleaning up.
Labs are to be shared through google docs. Any documents submitted after 9 pm is considered late.

12. Submitting Assignments
Every student needs to have a gmail account
Submit class assignments – lab reports/ presentation/video using google drive
Documents will be sent to my gmail address

13. Why use Google Drive?
Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
Open your files from any computer with an Internet connection.
Invite others to collaborate on your documents.
Retrieve your files even if your computer is lost, stolen, or broken.
Your documents will still be safe in the cloud.

14. Creating Files on Google Drive
These are the types of docs you can create and share with Google Drive:
Documents: For composing letters, flyers, essays, and other text-based files (similar to Microsoft Word documents)
Spreadsheets: For storing and organizing information (similar to Microsoft Excel worksheets)
Presentations: For creating and presenting slides (similar to Microsoft PowerPoint slideshows)
Forms: For collecting and organizing data
Drawings: For creating simple vector graphics or diagrams

15. Girls Who Code/Robotics Club
Meeting in S Building Engineering Lab
Meet every Monday and Wednesday at lunch
Girls Who Code is for girls only
Coding using Code.org
Dash and Dot Robots
Robotics Club is co-ed
Vex Robots

16. Parent – Teacher email sciencef134@gmail.com
Contact Information
Parent – Teacher