Recycling

This week we will be learning about recycling and how it impact our lives. This is part of our science TEKS. Why is it important to recycle? Does it really help me? Is it hard to recycle? These are just a few of the questions we will be talking about as a class.  To learn about the basic recycling categories  help Trombone sort the trash in his park into the appropriate bins. Watch the short video below to learn about recycling from Peppa Pig and what her family did to help with recycling.

To test your knowledge of recycling and what to recycle play the Recycle I.Q. game.

States of Matter

What is happening to the ice cubes in the picture to the left? They are melting and going from a solid to a liquid. They are changing states.

This week in class we will learning about the different states of matter; liquid, solid, and gas. This is part of our Science TEKS. Play "States of Matter Who Wants to be a Millionaire" to quiz yourself and your child's knowledge of the different states. Can you get $1,000,000?

How does the process work though? Play this fun game to find out. To review all you have learned about the states of matter watch this short video hosted by Ted Tunes.

"May the FORCE be with you"

This week in class we will discovering how the Earth's surface is constantly changing due to the many different types of forces that act on it. This is part of our Science TEKS. What created the Grand Canyon (right), Carlsbad Caverns, plateaus, valleys, and many other landforms on the earth's surface? 

Earthquakes are one of the forces that create changes in the surface of the earth.  Visit the National Geographic Kids website to experience the multimedia feature "Earthquake!"  If you want to learn more about earthquakes and how the are changing the earth be sure to visit this awesome site. Try to find the other natural disaster that a earthquake can sometimes cause if the epicenter is in a large body of water. 

Erosion from wind, water, and weathering can also alter the surface of the earth. Here are some great games about erosion that are really fun.

Our Solar System

This week in class we are learning about our solar system, the great expanse of space that encompasses the planet earth. This is part of our science TEKS. 

One of the things we will be looking at is learning about each planet and their unique characteristics. Here is a great interactive website that covers each planet. 

Where does energy come from? Life on earth depends on one very important object in our solar system; the Sun.  We will be discovering how the balance of our entire solar system depends on the sun. Watch this cool video to find out some amazing things about the brightest object in our solar system.

After learning about the planets create your very own solar system, but be careful not to let the planets collide.

Welcome!!

Welcome everyone to Mr. Merker's Science Space. Check back frequently for updates with links to cool science websites and great information on the cool things we are discovering in class.