Welcome to Challenge Science

1. Welcome to Challenge Science With Mrs. Hopkins

2. So, who is this “Mrs. Hopkins”? • Married 20 years; three children – Son a freshman at Grand Canyon University, older daughter a 10th grader at Desert Christian High School, and youngest daughter a 7th grader here at EGJH • B.S. Psychology from NAU followed by a Post-Baccalaureate K-8 Teaching Certification • Highly Qualified to teach Middle School Science and Math • Tenyears of teaching experience – 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th-8th grade Science, Math and Music • Love for children and a passion for teaching, especially Science! • Desire to increase STEM interest in students of all ages • (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

3. Class Rules/School-wide Rules: • Be Respectful • Be On Time – if a student is tardy, I will sign their tardy card • Be Prepared • Be Safe - see the Lab Safety Rules! • Follow Dress Code • No Gum • Depending on severity and/or frequency of • breaking any of the above rules, the teacher • may sign Behavior Tracks and/or ascribe any • other consequences as deemed necessary.

4. What we’ll cover this year… (7th) • Beginning concepts – The Scientific Method, Laboratory Safety and Measurement (specifically, the metric system) • Ecology – living things and their interaction with their environment; carbon cycle, flow of energy in ecosystems; systems of survival • Environmental Science – renewable and nonrenewable energy; alternative energy; the water cycle, distribution, movement and quality; conservation of energy and water • Earth’s Interior and its Changing Surface – composition of the earth’s layers, seismic movement and plate tectonics, disasters, weathering and erosion • Geology – the rock cycle; rock, mineral formation and identification, fossil formation • Astronomy – cyclical motion of celestial objects, their features and formation • Overall – a realization and appreciation of the intricate, interwoven systems of the world; seamless, continual, cyclical change; cause and effect • “WHAT IS OUR PLACE/ROLE/NICHE IN THESE SYSTEMS?”

5. What WE’ll Cover this year… (8th) • Beginning concepts – The Scientific Method, Laboratory Safety and Measurement (specifically, the metric system), Technology • Cells – structure, functions and processes of cells; heredity and genetics; genetic engineering • Chemistry – Matter, atoms, compounds, the Periodic Table; Chemical bonds, reactions and equations • Physics – Motion and Forces; forms and flow of energy; transformation and conservation of energy; Newton’s Laws • Technology – design and testing; intellectual, social, cultural impact of Scientific advancements and inventions; the technology design process • Overall – a realization and appreciation of the intricate, interwoven systems of the world; seamless, continual, cyclical change; cause and effect • “WHAT IS OUR PLACE/ROLE/NICHE IN THESE SYSTEMS?”

6. How will students be graded? • I post grades online throughout the week, most by Wednesday (for previous week’s material). • Points are accrued over the quarter – final grade calculated upon percent of points earned: • A+ = 100-97 A = 96-93 A- = 92-90 • B+ = 89-87 B = 86-83 B- = 82-80 • ….C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-…..F = 59-0 • Approximately 33% of points = Tests and Quizzes • 33% of points = Classwork – Lab participation & reports, individual and group work, notebooks • 33% of points = Homework & Quarterly Project

7. Homework woes… • Homework is only given once per week! It is assigned at the beginning of the week and is due the last day of the week (Friday, unless it’s a short week). • Usually takes 30 minutes or less. • No additional homework is assigned the week a project is due or the week of a test! • Therefore…. NO GRIPING ABOUT HOMEWORK • NO LATE HOMEWORK….EVER

8. Late Work and Absences • Communicate with the teacher if expecting an absence or have been absent! We will figure out makeup work and timing TOGETHER. • You may copy notes from a classmate. Some notes and copies of assignments my be online. • If absent on quiz/test day, then expect to make it up on date of return • If absent on a day when homework or a project is due, it is due ON the date of return • Late homework or classwork will result in a 20% deduction for each day late, and 0% if five or more days late. I will NOT remind you – it is up to YOU to turn in late work on your own! Be responsible!

9. Aaaaaah! The Science Project • Project Boards due 2nd week in February. SARSEF is early March! • I am here to help every step of the way! • Submit written steps as many times as you want to perfect them! • Start early and stay on track with due dates = no stress • Parents – the best assistance you can give is helping students come up with a project idea. Check that they are following the due dates set along the way and writing everything into their Science Fair notebook. Offer encouragement!

10. How to contact Mrs. Hopkins & Know what’s going on in Science? • l Email me: lhopkins@tanq.org This is the BEST way to contact me! I will get back with you fast, usually within 24 hrs. • Select “ Hopkins” from the teacher drop-down list the school website. Lesson, homework, supply needs and many notifications will be posted there. I’ll update it weekly.

11. In case you’re feeling generous… • Supply Requests on my main webpage! Any donations are appreciated! Is there anything “Science-y” that you think would be a good addition to our classroom? Models, posters, equipment, art supplies, etc. • When you buy in bulk @ Costco/Sam’s Club, think of our class! • Used supplies are OK – no offense taken! • Did your student bring in their extra required supply?

12. Thank you for being here! We are going to have lots of fun together!Working hard + working together = success