Good News! We are doing better in Science, and what's coming in October 2016

The Nation’s Report Card on Science is out. The average NAEP science scores for the nation increased 4 points between 2009 and 2015 in both grades 4 and 8, but did not change significantly at grade 12. Scores for most student groups at grades 4 and 8 were higher in 2015 compared to 2009, but were not significantly different at grade 12. At grades 4 and 8, Black and Hispanic students made greater gains than White students, causing the achievement gap to narrow in comparison to 2009. 

Compared to 2009, scores were higher at grades 4 and 8 in all three science content areas (physical science, life science, and Earth and space sciences) in 2015, while there were no significant changes in content area scores at grade 12. Read more.

This month on prepmagic.com we will see the following new interactives.

Rocket Propulsion and Newton’s Laws of Motion

  • Explore how Newton's third law explains the generation of thrust by a rocket engine and how Newton's second law describes the acceleration of the rocket due to the thrust generated.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration. HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.

Effect of gravitational acceleration on projectile motion

  • Explore the effect of gravitational acceleration (g) on the projectile trajectory including popular phenomena such as fired bullet versus falling bullet, shoot the monkey, etc.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration. HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.

Lift on an airplane - 2

  • Compare the lift generated in different types of aircrafts, varying in terms of size, load and propulsion systems.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration. HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.

Potential Energy of a Chemical Reaction

  • Investigate how the difference in the potential energy of the reactants and the products determine whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic in nature.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS1-4. Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.

Enthalpy of neutralization reaction

  • Investigate the enthalpy of neutralization, which is the change in heat content of the system that occurs when an acid and a base undergo a neutralization reaction to form water and a salt.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS1-4. Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.

Half-life of a Radioactive Substance

  • Understand the concept of half-life by comparing the decay process across a set of radioactive isotopes.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS1-8. Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.

Radioactive Decay Series

  • Explore the effects of emission of an alpha particle or a beta particle and the resulting decay chain for radioactive elements - thorium, neptunium and actinium.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS1-8. Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.

Periods and Groups - Property Trends

  • Explore and compare the trends exhibited for different physical and chemical properties across periods and groups in the periodic table.

NGSS: Physical Sciences HS-PS1-1. Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Homeostasis - Effect of Nicotine on Heart Rate

  • Investigate the effect of nicotine on the heart rate of Daphnia magna.

NGSS: Life Sciences HS-LS1-3. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Prepmagic.com to present at TechBUZZ. A premier event organized by Mid Atlantic Venture Association.

Washington D.C. (October 19, 2016) – As part of Mid Atlantic Venture Association's (MAVA) ongoing commitment to foster seed and early-stage company growth, Prepmagic.com was selected from a range of industry sectors to be showcased on stage at the final installment of MAVA’s year-long TechBUZZ program for 2016. Since the program was launched in 2011, TechBUZZ presenting companies have received more than $550M in aggregate disclosed funding, with many more investments and acquisitions made under undisclosed terms.

The TechBUZZ Fall program will provide an unparalleled opportunity for Prepmagic.com along with the selected companies to share their company launch and fund-raising pitch, in a four-minute format, along with their demo with an audience of hundreds of business leaders, fellow innovators, experienced company-builders, corporate strategic partners, potential acquirers and active investors.

The event was held on November 2nd at the National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium in downtown Washington, DC.

“By consistently presenting promising, fundable and market-ready business start-ups, TechBUZZ provides a uniquely independent platform and one of the most recognized of its kind in the country, attracting both promising tech and tech-enable companies, along with investors and collaborators who follow companies that have earned one of the coveted spots on the program to present at TechBUZZ,” said Julia Spicer, Executive Director, MAVA. “In addition to hitting the radars of potential investors, selected companies benefit from increased visibility and industry interest which helps to secure new customers, hire talent and garner important market mind-share.”

Featured TechBUZZ presenting companies were selected because of their innovative technology, approach to a commerce or enterprise problem, or perhaps a new twist to a market maker’s approach, making TechBUZZ a nationally watched platform by industry and investors, from seed to later stage interests. Collectively the presenting companies provide a representative showing of industry start-ups and businesses being launched across a broad range of sectors including software, EdTech, ecommerce, cyber, and many others.

Presenting companies were selected from a highly competitive pool of diverse startups by a review committee of more than 20 MAVA member investors and business advisors. The Review and Selection Committee for the TechBUZZ Fall edition was co-chaired by Mourad Yesayan, Principal, Paladin Capital Group and Arjun Aggarwal, Associate, NEA.

Companies presenting at TechBUZZ reflect the strength of the East Coast as the birthplace of game-changing innovations. The companies on stage for this edition of TechBUZZ represent startup communities across Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Washington, DC.

About MAVA
For 30 years, MAVA has served the full community of innovators, companies, corporate partners, private capital, suppliers, and key advisors needed to build successful businesses from start-up to exit. From venture to private equity, angel to growth equity, and family office to strategic corporates, MAVA brings together the full spectrum of capital and key resources necessary to accelerate the growth of companies across industry sectors and stages of development. MAVA provides a wide range of programs designed to stimulate revenue and company growth, create efficiencies for conducting business, facilitate quality deal flow, encourage collaboration and foster relationships among entrepreneurs, corporate decision makers, investors, strategic partners and customers.

About Prepmagic.com
Prepmagic.com re-imagines how interactive simulations can be a driver of science teaching and learning. Prepmagic not only connects abstract STEM concepts to real world experiences, but also allows the high school teachers to create custom interactive lessons and live formative assessments in both virtual and live classroom settings.

Prepmagic uniquely combines the power of interactive simulations, customizable contextual story telling, and formative assessments, that make science teaching and learning not just fun and engaging but also encourages critical thinking and problem solving.To know more, signup on Prepmagic.com, or write to us at offers@prepmagic.com for a school or district wide site license offers.

Prepmagic.com Receives High Rating for Learning Potential from Common Sense Education

Washington D.C. (October 14, 2016) – Prepmagic.com has been given a high rating for learning by Common Sense Media, the national nonprofit dedicated to helping parents and teachers manage the media and technology in kids’ lives. The high rating is part of Common Sense Media’s new learning ratings initiative, and means Prepmagic.com is both a fun and engaging, with the potential to help equip kids and teens with the core skills they need to thrive in tomorrow's world. The full rating and review is available here.

“At Prepmagic.com, we strive to create engaging, interactive and experiential tools and content for STEM that teachers and kids will love, and that parents can feel good about,” said Nikhil Wate, Co-founder and Head of Product Development. “We’re honored to receive this high rating from Common Sense Education”

A 2011 poll from Common Sense Media found that while many parents believe that digital media can provide learning benefits, they are skeptical about the claims made by some companies about their product’s educational potential. Common Sense Media's learning ratings address that problem by clearly communicating the learning potential of a website, game, or app, along with offering suggestions on how to get the most out of the user experience. A team of highly trained reviewers analyzes digital media products for core academic content like reading, math, and science, as well as deeper learning and social skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The team also assesses each product's overall learning potential, looking both at how engaging it is and how it's designed to support learning.

The learning ratings initiative builds on Common Sense Media's already successful media ratings and education programs -- through commonsense.org and content partners, Common Sense Media already provides age-appropriateness ratings on more than 18,000 titles and offers education resources to more than 50,000 schools in all 50 states and 67 countries.

About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to: www.commonsense.org.

About Prepmagic.com
Prepmagic.com re-imagines how interactive simulations can be a driver of science teaching and learning. Prepmagic not only connects abstract STEM concepts to real world experiences, but also allows the high school teachers to create custom interactive lessons and live formative assessments in both virtual and live classroom settings.

Prepmagic uniquely combines the power of interactive simulations, customizable contextual story telling, and formative assessments, that make science teaching and learning not just fun and engaging but also encourages critical thinking and problem solving.To know more, signup on Prepmagic.com, or write to us at offers@prepmagic.com for a school or district wide site license offers.