Density with Intensity

Authors

Michelle State, Del Valle High School
Laurie McGhee, Del Valle High School

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article presents a guided-inquiry activity where students apply their emerging understanding of density. Students are presented with the question of how different solids and liquids will arrange themselves when placed together. However students are not allowed to physically put them together. With teacher guidance and scaffolding, students determine that they can solve the problem by calculating and comparing the densities of the various substances. This activity would best be used in grades 8-12 in the application phase of the learning cycle, or modified to become a summative assessment for a density unit. This article also discusses the crucial role of the teacher and critical teacher behaviors and interactions to ensure successful implementation of this activity. This article promotes Middle School National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and G, High School National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Publication Date

Winter 2008

Journal Title

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Volume

35

Issue

1

First Page

11

Last Page

15

Copyright

© Copyright 2008 by the Iowa Academy of Science

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

State, Michelle and McGhee, Laurie (2008) "Density with Intensity," Iowa Science Teachers Journal: Vol. 35: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj/vol35/iss1/5