Lession Idea using Weblog

I would like to end each unit with a Situated Learning Lab that uses the discussion aspect of Blogs. The students will be presented with a situation and an assignment. They are to gather information from materials in the unit and look further on the internet. They will first be given a hypothesis and are asked to write a procedure to test that hypothesis.

Here is my first idea for Unit 1. At this point, the students have learned that elements can be identified by physical properties. They have learned lab skills like using a balance and reading a meniscus. They have done a density lab on both liquids and an unknown solid.

Situated Learning Lab -Unit 1:

You are camping with your Dad in the Adirondack Mountains. He is quite pleased with himself and calls you over to see his latest find. "Look at this cool cup! It bends so I can fit it down inside the coffee pot to save space packing. " You say, "Where did you get this?" Your father responds, "From GrandDad's old camping equipment up in the attic." You shake your head and reply, "It could be made of lead, which is a neurotoxin. That means that it affects your nervous system and the damage is not reversible." Yours Dad grumbles, "That's ridiculous. No one would make a cup out of lead."

Your Assignment:
1. You write the next response by giving an real situation whereby lead was used in containers that hold food or beverages. (use the internet)
2. Present at least two physical properties of lead that point to the cup being made of lead. (See internet or appendix of your text)
3. Write a procedure for a test you can perform in the lab, in order to further support your hypothesis. Include any safety precautions necessary. The procedure should be detailed enough, so that another group can do the lab successfully.