This science and math extra credit activity is designed to help you raise your grade without turning your brain inside out. It blends science and math, takes about 10 minutes, and gives you a chance to show what you actually know instead of guessing on a test.
There are two required parts:
- A paper-and-pencil task you will turn in
- A short reflection you will post on this blog
If you want the extra credit, you must complete both parts. One without the other does not count. Harsh, but fair.
Part 1: Science and Math Work (Turn This In on Paper)
This part of the 7th grade science and math extra credit activity focuses on reading data, creating a graph, and explaining patterns.
The Scenario
A student is investigating how time affects the temperature of water. The student measures the temperature of a cup of hot water every two minutes.
Data Table
| Time (minutes) | Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 160 |
| 2 | 150 |
| 4 | 142 |
| 6 | 135 |
| 8 | 129 |
What You Must Do on Paper
Step 1: Create a Graph
- X-axis: Time (minutes)
- Y-axis: Temperature (°F)
- Plot all points correctly
- Connect the points with a line
Make sure your graph has:
- A title
- Labeled axes
- Even spacing
Messy graphs make scientists sad.
Step 2: Answer These Questions in Complete Sentences
- What pattern do you notice in the data?
- How much does the temperature change every 2 minutes?
- Based on the graph, does the temperature change at a constant rate? Explain your thinking.
You must show your thinking. Numbers without explanations will not earn extra credit.
Part 2: Reflection (Post This on the Blog)
After finishing your paper work, scroll down and write a 3–5 sentence reflection in the comments.
Your reflection must answer all of the following:
- How did the graph help you understand what was happening to the water?
- What part of this activity was easiest for you?
- What part made you stop and think?
This reflection proves you understood the activity, not just the directions.
Extra Credit Rules (Read Carefully)
To earn extra credit for this 7th grade science and math extra credit activity, you must:
- Turn in the completed paper work
- Post your reflection on this blog
- Show clear thinking and effort
- Do your own work
Skipping a part means no extra credit. Science and math both run on logic.
When you’re finished, check out the rest of our blog for more tips, ideas, and activities to help you learn and grow. Be sure to follow our classroom Instagram page for behind-the-scenes moments, project highlights, and fun updates. Let’s work together to make learning fun, exciting, and something you look forward to every day!
8 Responses
I leaned how to do something I already knew because it is like using coordinates and i am very good at using coordinates.
1. The graph helped me understand what was happening to the water by showcasing to me that the Y levels was going down as more time went by. This showed me that the temperature was slowly going down as more time went by. But, this time, putting this information on a graph was more easier to explain instead of putting it in words.
2. The easiest part of this activity yet most helpful was putting the information on a graph. Drawing the graph was really easy for me, but was also the most helpful. As I slowly labeled my dots, I slowly realized a pattern, where the data points were making something called a negative correlation where the Y level was going down as the X level increased.
3. The part that made me stop and think was answering the questions on paper. The questions made me think about what I was going to say and how I was going to word it. Not only did I have to think about what I say, but I also had to check the work that I’ve done to gather some information that would help answer the question.
1. The pattern I noticed is the temperature of the water gets down slowly. 2. The temperature changes every 2 minutes by 10 F.3. No, the temperature dose not change at a constant rate. All though, if it did it would change by 10 F.
1. The pattern I notice is the temperature of the water get down slowly. 2. The temperature change every 2 mins by 10;f. # no the temperature does not, at a constant rate. All though if it did it would change 10;f.
1. What I started to notice is the pattern in the temperature of the water starts to go down slowly. 2. The changes that happens is the temperature changes every two minutes by 10;F. 3. No because the temperature does not constant rate. Even though if it would change 10:F.
1. The pattern that I noticed is that it was going in a line but going down.
2. The temperature changes 50 every two minutes.
3. No it does not change at a constent rate but if it worked it would be 10f.
1. The pattern I noticed is the temperature of the water gets down slowly. 2. The temperature changes every 2 minutes by 10 F.3. No, the temperature dose not change at a constant rate. All though, if it did it would change by 10 F.
The graph helped me understand better because, seeing not just words but also a visual made it easier to understand and work with. In my opinion the easiest part was plotting the dots on the paper because it was simpler then the other thing and required less work. The part that made me stop and think is the part where I had to figure out what each temp was how much it went up or down and when I had to decide how much it changed.