Coastside Science

Thursday, August 13, 2026

08.13.2026 - Thursday - recap

Day Two - 08.13.2026 - Thursday - Science and Math

In Science we continued with our “Golf Ball Bounce” experiment as a vehicle for discussing error in experiments, variables, and the importance of math in science. We also went into a bit more detail on Conversion Factors. Math saw an activity designed to introduce students to Probability with dice rolling that proceeded a Bell Curve.

A Mythbusters episode on baseball held explain the way scientists try and control variables in any experiment. Tomorrow we’ll discuss the difference between the Independent and the Dependent Variable and look for sources of error in our own experiments. Conversion factors are a good math / science connection as they’re important when we touch on chemistry and physics concepts later this year. Especially “Dimensional Analysis.”

In math students rolled two dice and added the numbers - creating data points on a table which slowly took the form of a Bell Curve, a shape that shows up in math and science class repeatedly. This introduced possible vs probable and likely versus unlikely outcomes.

The goal, this week, has been to introduce our notes, LAB procedures and some basic concepts while setting the stage for Week #2. Years ago, in my student-teaching days at my high school; Capuchino High School in San Bruno - the Principal stated that we should teach right away; from the very first Day of the semester. That idea always stayed with me and I’ve always agreed that every day counts when it comes to curriculum.

Our first quizzes - in both Math and Science - will come at the end of Week #2. Both are open note reviews.