2.4.1 From Heidegger to knowledge technologies Because each transformation from one ‘knowledge state’ to another (Figure 2) is an act of interpretation, there is no such thing as objective knowledge representation, or indeed objective classification or codification of any sort (in software or any other medium): there is always a viewpoint. This leads to the view that information and communication systems cannot be thought of as neutral; in their formal structures and operations they embody the goals and perspectives of their deve
2.1 Representation, interpretation and communities of practice Let us start with a thought experiment. Where is the music? The music is in the musical notation. No, the music is in the mind Product Development and the Environment Yogurt Cup Speakers Population Growth in Yeasts Sextant Solutions Cleaning Up with Decomposers Surgical Resident for a Day Make Your Own Recycled Paper Classroom Triangles Form vs. Function How Much Sugar is in Bubble Gum? Buoyant Boats Powerful Pulleys Protecting the Mummified Troll Earthquakes Rock! Images of the Sun Gummy Bear Experiment - Conversion of Bond Energy to Heat Energy and Light Energy Nobody's Perfect Introduction People have always communicated with each other – initially by face-to-face communication through gestures and sounds, then over a distance through written messages and signals in the form of fires, lights or flags. Technology, for instance in the form of electrical signals, has reduced many of the limitations of distance. Communication networks have become very important, and modern society depends on them for the smooth operation of economic and social activities. In this unit we regard a
Activity 2.1
In this activity, students investigate the life cycle of an engineered product and how the product impacts the environment. They analyze a product using a simple life cycle assessment that assigns fictional numerical values for different steps in the life cycle. They use their analysis to compare the impacts of their product to other products, as well as suggest ways to reduce the product's environmental impact based on their analysis.
This lesson introduces students to the role of electricity and magnetism as they build a speaker. In addition, students explore properties of magnets, create an electromagnet, and determine the direction of a magnetic filed. They conduct a scientific experiment and show cause-effect relationships by monitoring changes in the speaker's movement as the amount or the direction of the current change.
This lesson is the second of two that explore cellular respiration and population growth in yeasts. In the first lesson, students set up a simple way to indirectly observe and quantify the amount of respiration occurring in yeast-molasses cultures. Based on questions that arose during the first lesson and its associated activity, in this lesson students work in small groups to design experiments that will determine how environmental factors affect yeast population growth.
The earliest explorers did not have computers or satellites to help them know their exact location. The most accurate tool developed was the sextant to determine latitude and longitude. In this activity, the sextant is introduced and discussed with the class. Students will learn how a sextant can be a reliable tool that is still being used by today's navigators and how computers can help assure accuracy when measuring angles. Also, this activity will show how computers can be used to understand
Students investigate decomposers and the role of decomposers in maintaining the flow of nutrients in an environment. Students also learn how engineers use decomposers to help clean up wastes in a process known as bioremediation. This lesson concludes a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
In this activity, students will become surgical residents for the day. As a team, they will be asked to use surgical instruments to complete a task inside of a black box. They will be able to see inside of the box with the help of a "laparoscope" (webcam and flashlight). This activity is intended to show the students one application of medical instruments, as well as to allow them to see first had how form fits function. They will also realize that an engineer's job does not end with a finished
Students will learn about how paper is made. Working together, students will make their own paper. This activity introduces students to recycling; what it is, its importance, and how it affects their lives.
In this activity, students will use bearing measurements to triangulate and determine objects' locations. Working in teams of two or three, students must put on their investigative hats as they take bearing measurements to specified landmarks in their classroom (or other rooms in the school) from a "mystery location." With the extension activity, students are challenged with creating their own map of the classroom or other school location and comparing it with their classmates' efforts.
Students model and design the sound environment for a room. They analyze the sound performance of different materials that symbolize wallpaper, thick curtains, and sound-absorbing panels. Referring to the results of this analysis, they then design another room based on certain specifications and test their design.
Most of the flavoring in gum is due to the sugar or other sweetener it contains. As gum is chewed, the sugar dissolves and is swallowed. After a piece of gum loses its flavor, it can be left to dry at room temperature and then the difference between its initial (unchewed) mass and its chewed mass can be used to calculate the percentage of sugar in the gum. This demonstration experiment is used to generate new questions about gums and their ingredients, and students can then design and execute ne
Students will conduct a simple experiment to see how the water level changes in a beaker when a lump of clay sinks in the water and when the same lump of clay is shaped into a bowl that floats in the water. They will notice that the floating clay displaces more water than the sinking clay does, a result that will probably surprise them. They will then determine the mass of water that is displaced when the clay floats in the water. A comparison of this mass to the mass of the clay itself should r
Students continue to explore the story of building a pyramid, learning about the simple machine called a pulley. They learn how a pulley can be used to change the direction of applied forces and move/lift extremely heavy objects, and the powerful mechanical advantages of using a multiple-pulley system. Students perform a simple demonstration to see the mechanical advantage of using a pulley, and they identify modern day engineering applications of pulleys. In a hands-on activity, they see how a
Students are introduced to the (hypothetical) task of developing an invisible (non-intrusive) security system to protect the school's treasured mummified troll! Solving the challenge depends on an understanding of the properties of light. After being introduced to the challenge question, students generate ideas and consider the knowledge required find solutions. They watch a portion of the "Mythbuster's Crimes and Myth-Demeanors" episode ($20), which helps direct their research and learning towa
Students learn the two main methods to measure earthquakes, the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph a measuring device that records an earthquake on a seismogram. Students also investigate which structural designs are most likely to survive an earthquake. And, they illustrate an informational guide to the Mercalli Scale.
Skylab's solar experiments captured images of the sun in incredible detail and revealed unknown aspects of the Sun.
This cool science experiment illustrates the conversion of bond energy to heat energy and Light Energy. It is also a good demonstration cellular respiration. At www.RegentsTutor.com the Regents Tutor will help you prepare for your class or Regents Exam. Take online video lessons, interactive exam questions with video answers, review sheets, live chat and other tools to help you improve your grades. Current subjects include Chemistry and The Living Environment (Biology). Check the website for add
This brief OLogy article helps kids understand that even Einstein made mistakes and didn't always finish everything he started. And, more importantly, that both his mistakes and his unfinished work also led to new ways of thinking. The article uses Einstein's Unified Field Theory as evidence of the value that can be found in imperfection.
