This week we move into the last half of the last quarter of the school year!

This week in physics: On Monday we will take our unit 8 test over electric circuits, after which we’ll experience the shocking world of electrostatics! (I know. That was an absolutely terrible pun…sorry.) On Wednesday (3rd and 12th periods) or Thursday (6th period) we will take the End of Course (EOC) test, for which you will need number 2 pencils and your calculator. For Thursday (3rd and 12th periods) or Wednesday (6th period) you should take notes on Electrostatics Podcast 1 – Introduction to Charge for a podcast quiz. We’ll debrief the information from that podcast and then take part in a jigsaw learning activity that will cover methods of charging. After this activity, as directed in your class, you will need to take notes on Electrostatics Podcast 2 – Conductors, Insulators, and Charging, but that likely won’t be until next week.

This week in astronomy: On Monday and Tuesday you will complete your research projects on your planets. Later you will present your information to the class, and we will create a giant solar system jigsaw activity out of it culminating in an open-notes jigsaw quiz. We will also finish covering the motions of the inferior planets. Solar System Podcast 1 – The Motion of the Inferior Planets will support your work.

Cool science of the week: Who doesn’t like gold (Au)? (Come to think of it, who doesn’t like astronomical units (AU) or alternate universes (AU)?) Well, I can’t think of anyone, so enjoy this cool little finding about how earthquakes create gold deposits in an instant!