Sara’s Science Photojournal

By: Sara Dobbins

Photo 1

 This is a photo of a creek near my parents

house. The creek is located along the
Appalachian Trail and the Benton-
MacKaye Trail in North Georgia. I chose
this picture because it shows my love of
outdoors as well as several scientific
processes. The water is slowly weathering
the larger rocks, breaking them apart into
smaller pieces. It also erodes away soil,
which you can see where the roots of the
trees are no longer buried.
Photo 2

 This picture is of Lake Blue Ridge. I chose

this photo because this place is along a
trail I frequently run. This photo shows how
water has eroded the shoreline over time
creating a slant. It also shows some down
trees that are in the process of decaying.
Photo 3

 This photo is of condensation in my

bathroom after my husband took a
shower. I chose this photo because it
shows part of the water cycle,
condensation. It also shows how oil and
water do not mix together. Because I
created the writing with my fingers, when
the room becomes steamy again from
the shower, the water does not cling to
this area because of the oils from my
hands.
Photo 4

 This is a photo of a fire that my family

enjoyed the other evening. I chose this
photo, because it shows a chemical
change. In this change, wood is changed
into ash. This change is easy to spot
because it gives off both light and heat.
Photo 5

 This is a picture of my daughter and I. I

chose this photo because it shows
genetics. My daughter and I have the
same squinty eyes when we smile, big
round cheeks, and thick eyebrows.
Interpretation

In the past I have used images a “phenomenon” to show my class, especially when it is
something that cannot be shown easily in the classroom. I chose several photos of natural
processes that I have taught in fifth grade such as constructive and destructive forces,
chemical changes, and heredity. The photos I chose are of ordinary everyday things, things
most people interact with or see on a regular basis. I was intentional in choosing these types
of photos because, to me, science is simply studying and observing the things that happen
around us. I think that using such common experiences in teaching science helps students
take ownership, and can help spark curiosity about their experiences.