Potato Chip Challenge-ALGEBRA class ONLY

What is the Potato Chip Challenge?
A team of students will design and test a container for shipping a single “Pringles” potato chip, via the postal service. Upon arrival the packages will be evaluated and scored using the format in the scoring attachment. The goal is to design the package to have the smallest volume and smallest mass that will protect the chip so that it arrives at its destination undamaged.

Rules and Regulations:
1. Students will use 1 (regular) Pringles potato chip and materials of their choosing to create a device that will protect the chip on its journey through the postal system. Packages must be constructed using single-ply cardboard rather than 2-ply or reinforced cardboard materials. (Cereal box, Kleenex box, etc.) Jewelry boxes and special shipping boxes are not allowed. Students may choose a variety of materials for packing; however, the materials cannot be wood or glass and must not leave a wet or greasy spot on a paper towel.

2. No substance may be applied to the chip and the chip may not be altered in any way. The chip must be edible when received by the evaluating school.

3. An entry form must be completed for each package. (See entry attachment). You will be receiving a separate entry number for each package you have elected to send. Entry number must be on every package sent. Entry forms must be sent in a separate envelope, so that special unpacking instructions can be read prior to opening. If special unpacking instructions are needed they should be written on the entry form. Add “CODE P” to the outside of the package to indicate that special unpacking instructions have been provided on the entry form.

4. The package must have a mass of less than 300 grams in the “ready to mail” form, which means that it is loaded with a chip, wrapped in paper, and sealed with tape. Students into account the mass of the chip, mailing paper and tape as they prepare their chip containers to make sure they don’t go over the limit.

5. Package must be clearly labeled on the outside with the sending school and group. Teams are not allowed to write anything on the outside of the package except the To/From addresses, team number, and "CODE P" if needed. Teams cannot indicate any special handling requirements (“Fragile” or “Handle With Care”) or anything that would provide clues to the contents of the package on the outside of their package.

6. Packages must be mailed via U.S. Postal Service (Standard Service) or comparable postal system. Choose the cheapest option available. FeDEx, UPS, and other specialty services are not allowed.

Scoring Procedures:
Once the package is finished, the following measurements must be made by the sending team and recorded on their entry form:
(1) Mass of the package rounded to the nearest tenth of a gram. Measurements will need to be converted to kilograms before calculating the score.

(2). Volume of the package in cubic centimeters. (Measurements should be taken to the nearest tenth of a centimeter. Round the final answer to the nearest cubic centimeter.)
Once the package has been received, receiving teams should find the entry form for that package. If "CODE P" is indicated on the outside of the package, they should review the unpacking instructions on the entry form. Receiving teams will need to determine the "Intactness Score" of the chip using the following scale and record that information on the entry form.


INTACTNESS SCORE (I.S.):

PERFECTLY INTACT - like it just left the factory = 100 Points
SLIGHTLY DAMAGED - cracked, but still in one piece = 50 Points
CHIPPED CHIP - chipped along the edges with 90% of chip intact = 40 Points
MODERATELY DAMAGED - cracked with < pieces =" 20">
SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED - chipped and cracked <20 pieces =" 10">
POTATO DUST - too many to count >20 pieces = 1 Point


Overall Score:
Receiving teams should use the information on the entry form to calculate the final score. The highest overall score for a package will be the one used to determining the winners. In the case of a tie, the package with the smallest volume will be declared the winner.

Overall Score = Intactness Score (c) ÷ [Mass in kg (a) x Volume in cm3 (b)]


Scoring Examples:
Example 1:
Mass = 145 g (or 0.145 kg)Volume = 240 cu. cmI.S. = 100 (perfect chip)
SCORE = 100 ÷ [0.145 x 240] = 2.87

Example 2:
Mass = 250 g (or 0.250 kg)Volume = 320 cu. cmI.S. = 100 (perfect chip)
Score: 100 ÷ [0.250 x 320] = 1.25

The Carbon Cycle Game

Congratulations! You are now a Carbon Atom! Click the link ("The Carbon Cycle Game" listed under "Important Links") to create your journey through the Carbon Cycle.

Make sure to follow the directions listed below:
1. Read the directions in the middle of the page and begin the game.

2. Copy the information for each of the six carbon reservoirs that you visit along your journey. Make sure you visit all 6.

3. Copy the questions/answers into your notes along your journey. Make sure that you visit all of the question marks.

4. When finished with the game, open a Word document.

5. Write 2-3 paragraphs about your journey as a Carbon Atom. Be sure to include all of the places that you have visited along your journey, and include facts about each stop.

6. Answer the following questions after your detailed journey in the Word document:
How many stops did you make on your trip?
Will your journey ever end?
Do you think that everyone in your class had the same journey as a Carbon atom? Why or why not?
What would happen if humans burned even more fossil fuels than we do today? How would this affect the amount of carbon in each of the six reservoirs?

7. When finished, make sure that your name is at the top along with the date and core.

8. Click print.

9. Turn in to Ms. Lindsey when finished.

Important Dates:

October 6th-Picture Day

October 22nd- Parent/Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm

Make sure you stop by the 8th grade hallway. All Periodic Table Projects will be displayed. I'm so proud of my students. Most of the projects were creative and original. You don't want to miss them!!!

HOW to study:

Here are 2 ways of how to study and I challenge you to keep trying these:

1. Make flashcards. Each flashcard would break down the information. For example, in the student’s notes, they should have:
Representative elements-are 8 groups on the periodic table that include metals, nonmetals and metalloids

Representative Elements
8 groups on the periodic tableFlash card #1 for Representative Elements
(Front and Back)

Metals, Nonmetals & Metalloids

What do Representative Elements include? Flash card #2 for Representative Elements
(Front and Back)


2. Make a quiz for yourself. Take each piece of information and change it into a question. Using the flashcard #2 for example. Or the following examples for Transition Metals: (these were written on the board today-many students didn’t copy them down L)

What metals create a bridge from left to right? Transition metals
What are transition metals good conductors of? Electricity
What groups do transition metals include? Groups 3-12
Do transition metals bridge the more reactive metals to the less reactive metals OR the less reactive metals to the more reactive metals? More reactive to less reactive.

Keep going over these several times

Find someone to ask them to you

Go back and study the ones you don't know

Have someone ask you again

Common Assessments=Applying Knowledge

The common assessments for science this year require the students to know and understand the concepts. Students will need to apply their knowledge to the questions.
For example: Students will not be asked: “What are the rows across the periodic table called?” answer: periods.
Rather, students will be asked “What is the purpose for scientists to use periods on the periodic table?”
answer: to know how many electrons an element has.
Therefore, students will need to know where the periods are on the periodic table and know their purpose.

Weekly Glance 9/14-9/18

A glance at the week with HOMEWORK and items to STUDY:

Monday: Take notes on definitions and characteristics of Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids and Periodic Table Basics (groups, periods, atomic mass, atomic number) STUDY these notes for a quiz on Wednesday!
HOMEWORK: Family Ties worksheet-color coding the periodic table in groups and answering 12 questions. Participation points will be given for coloring and a grade will be taken on answers to 12 questions. ***students will need to study from these 12 questions for the Common Assessment on Friday** Study Intro to Chemistry notes, Chemistry Video Quiz questions (blue sheet) and Quiz last Friday

PROJECT: I am giving the students a project to do in creating their own periodic table. This will demonstrate the understanding of groups on the periodic table. Students will need to use pictures from newspapers, magazines, photos from the internet, or actual objects to complete this. This counts as test grade (100%) Students will be given a rubric with the project. No class time will be given to work on project.
ALL projects are due: Monday, September 21st.
Please note: I will not accept a project late for full credit. All projects are due at the start of class on Monday. Late projects will be taken however the highest grade a student can receive will be a 70%.

Tuesday: Grade Family Ties worksheet-Monday night’s homework. Complete Graphic Organizer about Families (groups on the periodic table)
Remember to study vocabulary from Monday’s notes for Quiz tomorrow. Start Studying Graphic Organizer about Families and their characteristics for Comparison Entrance Slip on Thursday and Common Assessment on Friday =Study Intro to Chemistry notes, Chemistry Video Quiz questions (blue sheet) and Quiz last Friday.
Work on Project

Wednesday: Vocabulary Quiz from Monday’s notes. Watch Video on Bonding of Elements and the results of Electrons and Structure. Students will take their own notes throughout video. Video quiz of 10 questions will follow-use of notes is allowed.
Continue to study for Common Assessment-study checklist: Intro to Chemistry notes, Chemistry Video Quiz questions (blue sheet) and Quiz last Friday Vocabulary from Monday, Families Graphic Organizer, Notes on Video and Video Quiz Questions.
Study Families Organizer for Comparison Entrance Slip Thursday.
Work on Project

Thursday: Explore Test-Interest Inventory **Shortened Classes**
Comparison Entrance Slip as soon as class starts-students will only have 5 minutes to complete. If they have been studying it should take them no longer than 3 minutes-it’s that easy!
Review for Common Assessment-students take notes from review
Common Assessment tomorrow-Study! Study! Study! study checklist: Intro to Chemistry notes, Chemistry Video Quiz questions (blue sheet) and Quiz last Friday Vocabulary from Monday, Families Graphic Organizer, Notes on Video and Video Quiz Questions, any other notes from the review.

Work on Project

Friday: Explore Testing 8-10am **Shortened Classes** Common Assessment TODAY

Work on Project Friday night and through the weekend-it’s due MONDAY! J I can’t wait to see everyone’s creations!

Some key words to know for the quiz this Thursday: Mass, Volume, Density, the units for volume and mass, displacement, how to find volume of an irregular shaped object using displacement, the purpose of iodine, how to convert metric system, reading a graduated cylinder, ruler and triple beam balance.