tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575482911372324452024-03-14T01:45:39.108-04:00DC Science WorldEmbrace the Nerd in You!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-23758464760805951112014-03-17T13:47:00.000-04:002014-08-26T14:58:10.997-04:00Drought!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IA7A6WZkevA/Uyc0wEuUEKI/AAAAAAAAA3M/Ta7rZ_FydvM/s1600/desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IA7A6WZkevA/Uyc0wEuUEKI/AAAAAAAAA3M/Ta7rZ_FydvM/s1600/desert.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Deserts, tundra, savannah, grasslands, and chaparral are all biomes that do not have access to regular supplies of water. Therefore, all organisms need to have ways to survive the times when things are dry.<br />
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<b>BlogWork</b><br />
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Watch the video and describe at least three ways the organisms in the video have adapted to survive draught.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZUsARF-CBcI" width="420"></iframe><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-23136984770840730652014-03-11T09:29:00.001-04:002014-03-11T09:29:57.042-04:00Taiga!This week, we have been discussing the Taiga biome, a coniferous forest that covers a huge swath of land just below the Arctic circle. Almost all of Canada and large portions of Russia and China are covered in this beautiful biome. Humans have done some damage to the ecosystem over the years, but there are also many groups trying to help protect and preserve the land. One controversial area of conservation is the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone Park. <br />
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Watch the video. PBS.org</div>
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Discuss the pros and cons of reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Please write a paragraph.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-4646046561902442572014-01-27T10:07:00.000-05:002014-01-27T10:09:54.082-05:00Biomes!This week we begin a new unit on Biomes. Biomes are areas on the earth characterized by specific types of plants and climates. We live in a temperate deciduous forest which means that the plants need to find ways to survive in all four seasons. How have the trees in this area adapted to survive these cold winter days?<br />
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<b>BlogWork</b><br />
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Watch the following video and write down three to five sentences describing the <a href="http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/global-warming-environment/karoo-desert/">Karoo Biome</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="375" id="ngplayer" src="http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/embedded/karoo-desert/src/" width="609"></iframe><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-77217881627535737062014-01-09T09:23:00.001-05:002014-01-09T09:23:45.705-05:00Adaptation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0Oc4UWOyQM/Us6wt6EcTXI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/jsF-moMZA1k/s1600/firefly+lights_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0Oc4UWOyQM/Us6wt6EcTXI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/jsF-moMZA1k/s1600/firefly+lights_up.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today, we spoke briefly about <b>adaptation</b>, which is the theme for the curriculum on the middle school team. Essentially every part of a living organism is some form of adaptation, but some adaptations are cooler than others. One of my personal favorite adaptations is bioluminescence, the ability of an organism to produce its own light (like fireflies). Check out this video: <a href="http://nyti.ms/1erEOsb">NY Times</a><br />
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Define "adaptation" and then give an example of one of your favorites. As always, please write a complete paragraph.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-51388890874683141442014-01-06T09:54:00.001-05:002014-01-06T10:05:11.430-05:00Classification!Hello and welcome to BlogWork! This is our first BlogWork assignment for the year so let's start off strong. All posts should be written in your own words and in paragraph form. I highly recommend having them proofed first.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgVoiGmHrtE/UsrDerCMXDI/AAAAAAAAA1w/8Y_87PLzD1k/s1600/08a_lucihormetica_luckae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgVoiGmHrtE/UsrDerCMXDI/AAAAAAAAA1w/8Y_87PLzD1k/s1600/08a_lucihormetica_luckae.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This week, we will be talking about the classification of life. Why do we classify things? What purpose does it serve us? Well, could you imagine if there were no classifying systems in the world? What would it be like to step into a grocery store? Yikes! You would never find anything! Thankfully, Carolus Linnaeus developed a system so that we can organize all of the life that exists in the world. This system, created in the 1700's, is still used today.<br />
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Go to the following website: <a href="http://science.time.com/2013/12/04/science-and-space/slide/top-10-new-species/">Time.com</a><br />
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Read about one of the new species that was discovered in the past year and write a paragraph in your own words about the animal.<br />
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Post your paragraph in the comments section of this post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-75600371699949604612013-10-01T13:33:00.002-04:002013-10-01T13:33:55.929-04:00Periodic Table of the Elements!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRejqlNbnMY/UksHfFCq7DI/AAAAAAAAA08/aPytsCKr2ng/s1600/periodic+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRejqlNbnMY/UksHfFCq7DI/AAAAAAAAA08/aPytsCKr2ng/s320/periodic+table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-34482355754974370802013-10-01T13:31:00.002-04:002013-10-01T13:31:53.556-04:001872 Rules for Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-2733399400147992472013-10-01T13:30:00.002-04:002013-10-01T13:30:32.611-04:00Evidence!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-4782573814156713872013-03-07T11:40:00.003-05:002013-03-07T11:42:42.238-05:00WASTE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week in the middle school, we have been collecting all of our trash in order to gain a sense of what type of trash we produce and how much of it gets thrown away. Next week, we will take a closer look at garbage and what we do with it as a society.<br />
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Watch the video and write a response to what you see and hear. One paragraph, please.</div>
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For extra points, watch this one also and comment on it.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-78003527255403156842013-02-18T22:40:00.001-05:002013-02-18T22:42:39.735-05:00The Pitch Drop Experiment!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was listening to the radio podcast "<a href="http://www.radiolab.org/">Radiolab</a>" this weekend and they were talking about speed, how fast or slow things go. There is an experiment being conducted which has been considered the longest running experiment in history. Running for over 80 years now, the "<a href="http://smp.uq.edu.au/content/pitch-drop-experiment">Pitch Drop Experiment</a>" was started in 1927 by Professor Thomas Parnell and involved the movement of tar through a funnel. So far it has dropped through the funnel nine times and is about to drop once more. Interestingly, in all of that time, no one has seen the drop. Go to the link if you want to watch it live. Maybe you'll be the one to watch it drop.<br />
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Classwork:<br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3191221421584487"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All students should work on creating their advertisement for their energy source. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students should have at least one page of bulleted notes before they can work on their advertisement. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students can use any of the modalities for creating a presentation used in the past (i.e. hand drawn, powerpoint, SlideRocket).</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advertisements need to have slogans, and are limited to one page.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go to the following website: <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/archives/energy/">NationalGeographic.com</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pick one article from this page, read it, and write a one paragraph response to it.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-1259793174755772132013-02-11T09:40:00.001-05:002013-02-11T10:04:19.110-05:00Nuclear Power!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we will discuss the first non-fossil fuel related energy source. Nuclear energy is a way for us to get electricity without burning coal. In some ways, nuclear power is an extremely clean way to get electricity because there is no carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. However, nuclear power comes with significant risks and challenges. Many people believe that it is definitely not worth it.<br />
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Watch the video below. Write down 3-5 facts about nuclear power that you learned from the video. Then, write down a couple of sentences describing whether you think you support or oppose nuclear power. Give detail as to your reasons.<br />
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And/Or this one...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-31150662620267731812013-01-23T22:37:00.001-05:002013-01-23T22:40:51.210-05:00POWER!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57CzywAoPBY/UQCmKxAT2MI/AAAAAAAAAxg/36WHS8yYc2Q/s1600/coal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57CzywAoPBY/UQCmKxAT2MI/AAAAAAAAAxg/36WHS8yYc2Q/s320/coal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Greetings Middle Schoolers! Welcome to DC Science World!<br />
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For the last few weeks we have been talking about energy resources. Fossil fuels are the primary way that we get our power and power, in the form of electricity, is what drives a large portion of our lives (i.e. this assignment). But how does that rock of coal get turned into a game of Fun Run, Minecraft, or an episode of Adventure Time?<br />
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<b>BlogWork</b><br />
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Go to the following website: <a href="http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/energy/great-energy-challenge/">www.nationalgeographic.com</a><br />
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Pick one article on this page about energy. Read it and write a detailed paragraph in response to the article. Describe what it was about and highlight the most important points.<br />
<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-73223072561434519102012-04-24T11:33:00.001-04:002012-04-24T11:51:59.611-04:00Slime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDQPgMj5TG4/T5bMGPz58SI/AAAAAAAAAww/h7QNXIqkI7k/s1600/slimemold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDQPgMj5TG4/T5bMGPz58SI/AAAAAAAAAww/h7QNXIqkI7k/s320/slimemold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are now studying Kingdom Protista, a large group of organisms ranging from single celled amoeba to giant kelp. The kingdom is vast and contains an extremely wide array of types of life. There are organisms that are animal-like, others that are plant-like, others that are similar to fungi, and even some that contain characteristics of all three. I find many of the organisms in Kingdom Protista fascinating, but my favorite is the slime mold.<br />
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<b>BlogWork</b><br />
Watch the video about the researchers and answer the following questions:<br />
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<li>How would you characterize or classify slime mold (and why)?</li>
<li>Why might researching slime mold be a lucrative endeavor (why might it make someone a lot of money)?</li>
<li>How do they conduct their research?</li>
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Bonus Video!</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-12366704182473600582012-04-10T13:30:00.003-04:002012-04-10T13:37:23.179-04:00Nitrogen Fixation!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9xd80nDACE/T4RvgaZw9PI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/PDbq_lmwGb0/s1600/Nitrogen_Cycle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9xd80nDACE/T4RvgaZw9PI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/PDbq_lmwGb0/s200/Nitrogen_Cycle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729827228555998450" /></a><br />As we begin talking about the kingdoms of life on our planet, we will start by learning about the smallest forms of life, known as microbes. Microbes are tiny, tiny forms of life that are essential to the growth and development of all other aspects of life. While there is a tendency to be repulsed by the thought that our planet is actually ruled by these microscopic critters, it is actually important that we recognize the tremendous value they serve us. <div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Watch the video below and write 5-10 sentences about the importance of the microbe world.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4NKGS4bj7cc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-72177033471609004592012-03-06T09:34:00.004-05:002012-03-06T09:57:17.474-05:00Invasive Species!We have been studying the natural states of the world biomes and spent a little bit of time thinking about the threats to them. Mostly, threats involve human involvement, like when people chop down huge swaths of rain forest or set fires accidentally in dry conditions. Humans are paving large sections of natural ecosystems and preventing migratory patterns and disrupting access organisms need to food and water.<div><br /></div><div>Another problem, which is also usually caused by human involvement, is the spreading of invasive species. An invasive species is a plant or animal that does not belong in an ecosystem and which ends up dominating. Sometimes this is done by accident, as when seeds get dispersed through shipping containers. Other times it is done purposefully, as when someone thinks that bringing in an animal in one area will help control a pest problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out this one:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rI8IiLqIEV0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>or this one...</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s_onANXeIPA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Go to the following website: <a href="http://www.invasive.org/">Invasive.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Search through the website and find 7-10 interesting facts about invasive species. Write the facts in your own words. [I recommend clicking on the tab called "Invasive 101"]</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-78204276873062486882012-02-28T10:06:00.004-05:002012-02-28T11:28:48.351-05:00What's so funny!?!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6u9iQGXGJI/T0z7lSOOE-I/AAAAAAAAAwA/4q5Qv978g48/s1600/Calvin%2Band%2BHobbes%2BLaughing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6u9iQGXGJI/T0z7lSOOE-I/AAAAAAAAAwA/4q5Qv978g48/s200/Calvin%2Band%2BHobbes%2BLaughing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714218645191529442" /></a><br />Yesterday I assigned the class a challenging question to reflect upon. Why do we laugh? What purpose does humor serve us and why did we evolve to have it? I thought we had some great responses to that question, but also know that some people really struggled to think of the ways that it might benefit people. Is it possible that it serves absolutely no purpose? Perhaps it is what it is and we shouldn't over-analyze it. Possibly. <div><br /></div><div>Here is an article written on the subject for those of you who are curious. <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077386/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/big-mystery-why-do-we-laugh/#.T0z4RHZvfPI">Why Do We Laugh?</a></div><div>Read this and comment on it for <b>extra credit.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-53917459709221437882012-02-21T11:04:00.003-05:002012-02-21T11:23:25.675-05:00Indicator Species!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhI7GYtLGkQ/T0PD47Vsn_I/AAAAAAAAAvc/CabNpYVLfY8/s1600/331dimg_2876.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhI7GYtLGkQ/T0PD47Vsn_I/AAAAAAAAAvc/CabNpYVLfY8/s200/331dimg_2876.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711624135204708338" /></a><br />Some animals can act as an early warning system to environmental scientists that there is a problem brewing in an ecosystem. For example, back in the 1800s, coal miners used to take caged canaries into the mines with them. The birds would sing and chirp often. However, if the bird stopped singing it was an early indication that there might be poisonous gases in the mine that would be harmful to the miners. This system would allow the miners to evacuate the mine before the poisonous gases killed the miners. Environmental scientists can look out for certain animals in an ecosystem which will give them an indication as to the health of that region. Birds and butterflies are excellent indicator species because they can be affected quickly by environmental changes.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Go to the following website: <a href="http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm">Marietta College: Biome Study</a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the map, click on one of the biomes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Read about the indicator species (plants and animals) of that region. </div><div><br /></div><div>Write a few sentences about the indicator species of that region.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-56126584835419667742012-02-16T08:57:00.003-05:002012-02-16T09:19:05.705-05:00Lungfish!As we look at all of the different biomes and the amazing adaptations that animals have acquired in order to survive in the most challenging of environments, we need to pause every now and then and appreciate the slimiest of those organisms.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div>Watch the video about the Lungfish. Write a comment (1-2 sentences) about the video. Then describe a creature in the biome that you are studying that also has an amazing adaptation.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWciuuKn3c">Lungfish</a></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-30130508957839736462012-01-30T08:40:00.002-05:002012-01-30T08:53:17.438-05:00Rainforest!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyxpmKm4zOg/Tyagumi0WOI/AAAAAAAAAvM/isCK5dUHwgk/s1600/toucans2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyxpmKm4zOg/Tyagumi0WOI/AAAAAAAAAvM/isCK5dUHwgk/s200/toucans2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703422700592322786" /></a><br />As we pursue our understanding of biomes, we will work to break down the differences between them. The first one that we are studying, the rainforest, is quite possibly the most complex. One of the most complex ecosystems in the world, rainforests are also one of the most endangered. Humans are cutting down huge sections of this vibrant ecosystem at an alarming rate. Given that new species are being discovered all the time, it is disheartening to think about the plants and animals that will disappear without our even knowing about it.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Go to the following website: <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/rainforests/">ScienceDaily</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Pick an article to read about the rainforest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the article and write a paragraph synopsis of the article.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-2389913714153131742012-01-22T22:09:00.003-05:002012-01-22T22:22:52.390-05:00Biomes!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAiSiQKh3L8/TxzSFlrKq4I/AAAAAAAAAu4/W1jaWTjFYCU/s1600/cardon-boojum-desert_102_600x450.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAiSiQKh3L8/TxzSFlrKq4I/AAAAAAAAAu4/W1jaWTjFYCU/s200/cardon-boojum-desert_102_600x450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700662221798550402" /></a><br />Biomes are large parts of our planet that are categorized by similar climactic conditions that lead to specific types of plants and animals. The climate drives the plants and the plants drive the animals. Living organisms adapted to survive in every of type of biome in the world. From the tundra, to the desert, to the rainforest, life finds amazing ways to thrive.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Go to the following site: <a href="http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/?source=NavEnvHab">National Geographic Habitats</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Scroll down to "Habitats Topics."</div><div><br /></div><div>Pick one of the habitats listed on the page and click on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the article.</div><div><br /></div><div>Write down 5-10 adaptations referenced in the article.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-66085377305122439292011-11-28T08:09:00.005-05:002011-11-28T08:55:51.547-05:00Cells!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFcTng93sEo/TtOJFDMM7QI/AAAAAAAAAuk/DpU1u6Qx1FM/s1600/Epithelial-cells.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFcTng93sEo/TtOJFDMM7QI/AAAAAAAAAuk/DpU1u6Qx1FM/s200/Epithelial-cells.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680034274893163778" /></a><br />We are now beginning our study of the <b>cell</b>, the basic structure of all living organisms. In the early seventeenth century, Galileo Galilei put two glass lenses inside of a cylinder. After looking through the cylinder he was able to identify tiny geometric structures in the eye of an insect. While Galileo is not considered a biologist, he is credited with being the first person to look through a microscope and make an observation of the microscopic world.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Research question: What are some of the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? List five differences in complete sentences. You can use the links below.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://tami-port.suite101.com/prokaryotic-and-eukaryotic-cells-a32332">Microbiology@suite101</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/3dcell.htm">Cells Alive</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-66062214540475986722011-11-07T08:55:00.003-05:002011-11-07T09:47:45.731-05:00Happy Birthday, Marie!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23O9g6DQgJY/TrfvHOGfDaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/CIUkNeqCvLI/s1600/marie-curie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23O9g6DQgJY/TrfvHOGfDaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/CIUkNeqCvLI/s200/marie-curie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672265163019849122" /></a><br /><div>For the last few weeks we have been talking about elements and why some want to combine to form other things. In science, this study is known as Chemistry. Work in the field of Chemistry has contributed incalculable advances in our society and something tells me that we are just scratching the surface of what this science is going to do in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Today, Google is celebrating the birthday of one of the greatest chemists in history, Marie Curie. Madame Curie was a brilliant scientist who added a wealth of knowledge of the elements to our current lexicon. She is truly a hero of science.<div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Go to <a href="http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en">Google</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Click on the Google icon displaying Marie Curie.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pick one of the links about Marie Curie (not Wikipedia).</div><div><br /></div><div>Write down ten facts about Marie Curie.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-58385776607672457332011-09-06T16:58:00.001-04:002011-09-06T17:00:37.640-04:00Welcome and Welcome Back!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx2hbOep-3E/TmaJ7h66JTI/AAAAAAAAAsI/C2YRYFDetIA/s1600/DSC07136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx2hbOep-3E/TmaJ7h66JTI/AAAAAAAAAsI/C2YRYFDetIA/s200/DSC07136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649354438393603378" /></a><br />Woo-Hoo! New School Year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-7460600401927380482011-04-25T09:56:00.005-04:002011-04-25T12:13:00.060-04:00Parabola!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mut-exYZPlM/TbWbaxGwLHI/AAAAAAAAAr8/g1FdfK3BX58/s1600/parabola-blog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mut-exYZPlM/TbWbaxGwLHI/AAAAAAAAAr8/g1FdfK3BX58/s200/parabola-blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599552595865644146" /></a><br />"If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton<div><br /></div><div>This week is the culmination of the "truism" unit, a cross-curricular learning experience that branches between science, English, social studies, math, and art. The truism that we have focused on, written above, reflects one great mind in history acknowledging that he was only able to do the things he did due to the work of people that came before him. I imagine that as you write your hero essays you are also discovering that those people were highly influenced by people that came before them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Beth and I have been talking to you in class about the mathematical concept known as the parabola, which is a geometric shape. Parabolas are pretty simple things when you look at them on a piece of paper, as when we graphed the swing of the pendulum. However, parabolas can also lead to amazing inventions (like the massive radio dish in the picture above) and when you look for them you can find them all around you, occurring naturally in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>The video below was the inspiration behind the lab we did and it also shows examples of parabolas in nature. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rdSgqHuI-mw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>1. Go to the following website about solar cookers: <a href="http://www.solarcooking.org/plans/">Solar Cookers</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. On a piece of paper (to be turned in) design your own solar cooker.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. List 5-10 parabolas that you noticed today (post these on the blog).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857548291137232445.post-13261443628579080092011-03-17T12:43:00.005-04:002011-03-17T13:28:59.296-04:00Dam!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrZVZMF0rpY/TYJEIbJfCGI/AAAAAAAAAr0/WVBhGOCHXDc/s1600/Three_Gorges_Dam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrZVZMF0rpY/TYJEIbJfCGI/AAAAAAAAAr0/WVBhGOCHXDc/s200/Three_Gorges_Dam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585101399410018402" /></a><br />Moving through the renewable energy resources, we are now going to begin discussing hydroelectric power. Hydro is an ancient Greek word for water and hydroelectric is using water to create electricity. Usually this means damming a river in order to channel the water of that river through a turbine which turns the shaft of a generator creating an electric current. <div><br /></div><div><b>BlogWork</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Watch the video below and describe how hydroelectricity works.</div><div>Extra credit: Research Micro hydroelectric power and describe it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cEL7yc8R42k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13