PURPOSE OF THE GUIDES: The purpose of the CU Wizards program is to inform, delight, and inspire young scientists to explore science further. Because the Wizards move quickly through their science experiments and explanations in the videos, viewing guides were developed to provide the teacher with pre-viewing information. Activities, experiments, and literacy lessons are designed for students to extend their learning.
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Although the actual audience of the live performance is composed of parents and children of all ages, the shows are designed for a middle school audience and align with the 5th through 8th grade science curriculum. In the shows, most volunteer helpers are elementary or middle school students. The lessons in the viewing guides target middle school curriculum. Elementary and high school teachers should preview the shows to determine if the show is appropriate for their students.
SCIENCE STANDARDS: The Wizard Shows address the Colorado Science Content Standards related to Scientific Investigation, The Common Properties, Forms, and Changes in Matter Energy, The Interrelationships Among Science, Technology and Human Activity, and Common Connections Among Scientific and Other Disciplines. A complete listing of the standards is provided in each guide. For those outside Colorado, please note that the Colorado’s standards are closely aligned to the National standards. The standards listed are for grades 5-8 unless otherwise noted.
CONTENT AREAS: Each Wizard Show focuses on a specific area of chemistry, biochemistry, or physics. Many of the shows introduce students to current areas of scientific research. For example, students can learn about lasers, chemilumenescence, liquid crystals, RNA research, and atomic clocks. The shows also highlight basic scientific concepts like Newton’s Laws of Motion, the chemical nature of matter, the physical properties of matter, and the electromagnetic spectrum. During each show the Wizard highlights the methods and processes of science. Most shows illustrate how advanced technologies enable the scientist to observe scientific phenomena in new and different ways. And, most importantly, each show highlights how scientists think and work.
|
|
Liquid Crystals
Professors Noel Clark and Dave Walba
Section 1. Properties of Light
Section 2. Birefringence and Color
Section 3. Computer Screen Colors
Section 4. Liquid Materials; Birefringence
Section 5. Molecular Structure of Liquid Crystals
Section 6. Magnetic and Electrical Fields; Polarization
Section 7. Soap Film
|
Chemistry of Cooking
Professor David Nesbitt
Section 1. The Physical Properties of Water
Section 2. The Effect of Temperature on Protein; The Chemistry of the Egg
Section 3. Decomposition of Sugar; Testing for Carbon Dioxide
Section 4. Milk Protein and Cheese Making
|
|
Chemistry of Life
Professor Tom Cech
Section 1. Introduction: Chemistry in Action
Section 2. Biochemistry: Protein Synthesis from Chemical Information
Section 3. Inorganic and Organic Oxidation Reactions
Section 4. The Role of Catalysts in Chemical Reactions
Section 5. Characteristics of a Catalyst
Section 6. RNA Studies and Research Implications
|
Speed!
Professor Eric Cornell
Section 1. Introduction: Mathematical Formulas and Terms
Section 2. Speed Measurement Techniques: Fast Kid, Baseball, Slow Kid
Section 3. Speed of Sound: Measurement Technique
Section 4. Speed of Light: Measurement Technique
Section 5. Slow-Moving Organism: Measurement Technique
Section 7. Laser Cooling
|
The Chemistry of Light
Professor Kathy Rowlen
Section 1. Generating Light: Combustion
Section 2. Generating Light: Electricity
Section 3. Combustion Reactions: Color
Section 4. Chemiluminescence
Section 5. Absorbance and Reflectance
Section 6. Combustion
Section 7. Absorbance of Light; Visible Spectrum
Section 8. Flourescence
Section 9. Phosphorescence
Section 10. Triboluminescence
Section 11. Light Emitting Reactions
|
Clocks and Time
Professor Paul Beale
Section 1. Time Measurements; Periodic Phenomena
Section 2. Units of Time; Time Unit Conversions
Section 3. Natural Physical Periodic Phenomena
Section 4. Law of Conservation of Energy
Section 5. Clock Development; Latitude and Longitude
Section 6. Resonance
Section 7. Measurement; Events that Occur Very Fast
Section 8. Resonance and Frequency
Section 9. Measurement: Events that Take Place over Long Periods of Time
Section 10. Time; Chaotic Motion
|
Go With the Flow!
Professors Janet DeGrazia and Brian Argrow
Section 1. Fluids; Properties of Fluids; Density
Section 2. Properties of Fluids: Viscosity
Section 3. Newtonian vs. Non-Newtonian Fluids: Polymeric Fluids
Section 4. Acid vs. Base; pH
Section 5. Chemical Reactions; Flowing Liquids
Section 6. Paramagnetic Fluids
Section 7. Combustion of Gases
Section 8. Evaporation
Section 9. Bernoulli’s Principle
Section 10. Liquid Nitrogen & Ice Cream
|
How Things Move
Professor John Taylor
Section 1. Introduction; Physics & Motion
Section 2. Motion; Friction; Newton’s 1st Law-Law of Inertia
Section 3. Force of Gravity
Section 4. Gravity and Projectile Motion
Section 5. Properties of Forces
Section 6. Unbalanced Forces; Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion; Momentum
Section 7. Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion; Action/Reaction
Section 8. Conservation of Energy
Section 9. Relativity
|
Lasers and Light
Professors Henry Kapteyn and Margaret Murnane
Section 1. Light Generated from Nature
Section 2. Light Generated from Technology
Section 3. Properties of Laser Light
Section 4. Light and Color
Section 5. Laser Light and Color
Section 6. Ultraviolet Light and Infrared Light
Section 7. Uses of Lasers
Section 8. Hologram
Section 9. Lasers and Stop Action Photography
|
The Physics of Sport
Professor James Faller
Section 1. Introduction; Physics of Sport
Section 2. Energy Efficiency; High Jump
Section 3. Efficiency of Motion; Pole Vault and Broad Jump
Section 4. Universality; Motion of Falling Objects
Section 5. Equipment Design; Bicycle Wheels & Basketball Hoops
Section 6. Performance Improvement; Shooting Baskets & Cross-Country Skiing
Section 7. Analysis of Motion; Swimming
Section 8. Understanding Equipment Design: Ice Hockey & Baseball
Section 9. Physical Skill & Talent in Sport
Section 10. Reflection; Creative Thinking
|
Chemistry: Pow! Wow!
Professor Casey Hynes
Section 1. Common Chemicals; Molecular Models
Section 2. Ions and Ionization; Water as a Solvent; Electrolytes Conduct Electricity
Section 3. Single Replacement Reaction; Ions to Atoms
Section 4. Electrical Excitement of Sodium
Section 5. Decomposition of Water; Chemical Reaction Energy Changes
Section 6. Synthesis of Water; Chemical Energy Changes
Section 7. Chemical Energy; Exothermic Reaction
Section 8. Chemical Energy; Endothermic Reaction
Section 9. Single Replacement Reaction
Section 10. Chemicals and Their Colors
Section 11. Color Properties of Nickel
Section 12. Colorful Chemical Reactions
Section 13. Light and Heat Producing Chemical Reactions
|
