NAUKI PRZYRODNICZE NA SCENIE - Science on Stage

NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN SCIENCE TEACHING
Maria Dobkowska, High Schools No 62 in Warsaw – Warszawa

Main task: effective science teaching with ICT. We will present several examples of lessons using filmed experiments, animations, interactive simulations, interactive exercises and movies shot with an infrared camera. As an element of classroom practice, we propose an educational use of technology-enhanced learning, particularly if traditional methods and tools for teaching science subjects are ineffective and are not helping students to overcome educational barriers. Participants in our workshop will find answers to why when and how ICT tools should be used in science education.
  

HOW TO BREAK A MOBILE PHONE
Dominika Domaciuk, Unia Lubelska III High School – Lublin

Sometimes pupils do not respect the rule to not use mobile phones in lessons. If we notice this, we can carry out an entertaining and informative experiment. All we need is a mobile phone, some thread, a pencil and a box of matches. We begin by choosing an expensive or stylish model of phone. Having chosen one, we wrap the thread of about 1.3 m long around it. Next, we hold the thread and the mobile horizontally and place the pencil below the thread in the middle between one hand and the mobile. We let the mobile dangle freely about 70 cm above the ground. What would happen if we let go of the thread? The mobile, of course, would hit the floor. But what can we do to prevent it from breaking?
 

POSTERS OF HEVELIUS
Cezary Filipiuk, High School – Pszczyna

In 2011 we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of Johannes Hevelius. In order to mark the occasion, we prepared the exhibition "Hevelius and the Times He Lived in", which presents four posters and two replicas of famous experiments: Galileo and Spheres in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pascal’s Barrel
   

FROM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY
Urszula Grabowska, Stanisław Kielich Gymnasium

We are going to present our project "From junior high school to university". We will be using a multimedia presentation, a poster and leaflets. Within this school project, our students give performances on the subject of science (mainly physics) for the annual School Patron Day. They use texts and images explaining scientific laws, rules and theories. An essential element is presenting the influence of scientific studies on the development of civilization. Combining science with art – images, music and words – is an integral part of all activities. At the same time, it is a great opportunity for us to improve our skills in using multimedia and other technical devices.
  

THUNDERSTORM
Jerzy Jarosz, Institute of Physics, Silesian University – Katowice

The Thunderstorm project introduces some concepts and physical principles related to atmospheric discharges observed in nature. Phenomena associated with lightning strikes are demonstrated and explained using equipment consisting of a two-dimensional model of charged clouds, ground and various objects like trees, buildings, humans and animals. Basic phenomena that can be demonstrated in the project are:

• Lightning strikes, their random occurrence and complicated paths of electric discharges

• Increased probability of striking high objects like trees, buildings, etc.

• Role of sharp objects like edges and rods in initiating and creating the discharge path

• Lightning conductors and lightning protection systems

• Corona discharges

• Step potentials due to a direct lightning strike Additionally, this project also presents a model of an electrostatic precipitator using the corona discharge effect.
 

CHEMICAL EXPERIMENTS PERFORMED IN THE CLASSROOM
Danuta Jesiak, High School – Oborniki

I would like to present some chemistry experiments which can be performed in the classroom using the Small-Scale Chemistry technique. The main topic will be "Preparation and properties of gases: oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide". I will also present the method for creating the solubility chart. This project was developed to help chemistry teachers to safely illustrate simple chemistry concepts in front of the class and with minimal materials. I am using materials available in day-to-day life which you can buy in any pharmacy or grocery store or find in the kitchen. I will prepare a poster about interesting experiments performed by my students at various science festivals.
  

DOUBLE RESONANT SOLID STATE TESLA COIL
Robert Malocha, High School of Electronics and Telecommunication – Olsztyn

The demonstration shows a double resonance solid state Tesla coil (DRSSTC). I present the principles of the DRSSTC and explain the differences between the classic Tesla coil and my model. During the demonstration I will first describe all the essential elements of the device and then generate sparks half a metre long. The phenomenon is best observed in the dark.
  

EXPERIMENTS WITH DRY ICE
Aneta Mika - Stefan Czarnecki High School – Szczecin

The project presents a set of experiments with dry ice. The aim of the experiments is to demonstrate both the process of sublimation itself and the energy processes accompanying phase transition of substances. Moreover, the audience will be able to see other experiments on energy conversion such as a candle pendulum and an underwater vehicle propelled by carbon dioxide. We will also prepare a set of simple experiments for children. The experiments, from different fields of physics, will include finding the centre of mass of a coin, creating a cloud in a bottle, playing music using pipes as instruments, and constructing a kaleidoscope. At the poster session, we will present a poster about Science on Stage festivals at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland.
 

ARE WE AFRAID OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?
Ewa Pater, High School - Świnoujście

"Are we afraid of nuclear power plants?" shows the results of research conducted with my students. I will take a computer with the software and the interface counter GM and present measurements of ionising radiation. I will print out the poster presenting:

• The location of our experiments
• Ionising radiation results
• Research on the electronic microscope and the results
• Research on the spectroscope
• Results of radiation tests for tobacco from different cigarettes
• Results of radiation tests for percolated air in the basement

I will present another poster depicting the results of a poll of students, parents and grandparents. The questions are interesting and significant. It turns out that we do not sufficiently understand the threat of radiation. I will share some poll patterns. I would also like to carry out an experiment showing waves in a glass and how sound can break glass.
 

STUDENT'S CHAIR AT HIGH SCHOOL NO. 1 IN LESZNO
Zbigniew Trzmiel, 1. High School – Wieluń

Anything that distracts a driver increases the risk of an accident and poses a threat to other road users. You should always be in proper control of your vehicle. We will use a special device, the Reflexometer, to measure the reaction times of drivers who use mobile phones while driving. The device measures two values: reaction time and wheel movement time. The first parameter is essential, but the second is also important because when a dangerous situation occurs on the road, it is crucial to avoid an accident and not just ‘touch’ the wheel. This device is also able to show the wheel movement on a computer screen in a chart form.
  

PHYSICAL PHENOMENA AROUND US
Zenona Stojecka, 1. High School – Leszno

An exhibition of the most interesting photos from the last three National Physical & Photographic Contests entitled ‘Physical phenomena around us’ organised by the Youth Culture Club in Wielun. Simple experiments to illustrate the transformation of energy. Electromagnetic Brake’ poster – Research into electro- magnetic induction using the Coach system. Eddy currents are sometimes used to brake very fast trains. This interesting effect can be researched in a sim- ple way in school conditions. What is the motion of the vehicle while braking? Is the braking force constant? How do breaking force and stopping distance relate to train speed? Students can find the answers to all these questions by recording vehicle motion on an air track using an ultrasonic motion detector CMA and Coach software.
 

CONSTRUCTING A HOME-MADE WATER FLOW SENSOR - MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION
Joanna Gryboś, The John Paul II Grammar School – Pawłowice

I am going to present the construction of a home-made water flow sensor. This kind of sensor was made by my students. I would like to present the results of the investigations on optical fibre sensors. I will concentrate on the methods which were used to study the basic parameters of optical fibres. Finally, I will present the data for two kinds of optical fibre sensor.