DC Science World

Rainforest!

2012-01-30T08:40:00.002-05:00

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.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: ScienceDaily

Pick an article to read about the rainforest.

Read the article and write a paragraph synopsis of the article.

Biomes!

2012-01-22T22:09:00.003-05:00

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.

BlogWork

Go to the following site: National Geographic Habitats

Scroll down to "Habitats Topics."

Pick one of the habitats listed on the page and click on it.

Read the article.

Write down 5-10 adaptations referenced in the article.

Cells!

2011-11-28T08:09:00.005-05:00

We are now beginning our study of the cell, 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.

BlogWork

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.

Microbiology@suite101

Cells Alive

Happy Birthday, Marie!

2011-11-07T08:55:00.003-05:00

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.

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.

BlogWork

Go to Google

Click on the Google icon displaying Marie Curie.

Pick one of the links about Marie Curie (not Wikipedia).

Write down ten facts about Marie Curie.

Welcome and Welcome Back!!

2011-09-06T16:58:00.001-04:00

Woo-Hoo! New School Year!

Parabola!

2011-04-25T09:56:00.005-04:00

"If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton

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.

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.

The video below was the inspiration behind the lab we did and it also shows examples of parabolas in nature.

BlogWork

1. Go to the following website about solar cookers: Solar Cookers

2. On a piece of paper (to be turned in) design your own solar cooker.

3. List 5-10 parabolas that you noticed today (post these on the blog).

Dam!

2011-03-17T12:43:00.005-04:00

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.

BlogWork

Watch the video below and describe how hydroelectricity works.

Extra credit: Research Micro hydroelectric power and describe it.

Wind!

2011-03-08T09:28:00.005-05:00

By some estimates, Earth's windiest places could generate more than 10 times the energy used worldwide. But what are the obstacles that prevent us from doing it? Technological advances and the money to fund them are the primary barriers to our becoming free of our dependence on fossil fuels.

BlogWork

Watch at least two of the videos posted. Write a detailed paragraph describing what you learned in the videos.

Solar Energy

2011-03-03T09:44:00.002-05:00

This week's unit has been about renewable energy, the type of energy we get from sources that can be replaced on a regular basis. Mostly, we are talking about the sun because the sun fuels the renewable sources, either directly or indirectly. For now, we'll talk about the direct ways, like passive or active solar heating.

BlogWork

Watch the video and describe how a photovoltaic cell works.

Nuclear Power!

2011-02-21T22:48:00.003-05:00

Another type of nonrenewable resource is derived from the metallic element found underground called Uranium. Nuclear power, when we create electricity by obtaining energy from splitting Uranium atoms, is an alternative to burning fossil fuels. There are many pros and cons to nuclear power and in the next week we will spend some time analyzing them. First, let's figure out how it works.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: HowStuffWorks.com

Read through the first two pages on this link.

Write a paragraph description of what nuclear energy is and how it works.

Electricity!

2011-02-17T10:03:00.003-05:00

Today we did an electricity lab where we created a battery. Journalist Thomas L. Friedman, author of the book Hot, Flat, and Crowded, argues that we need a "green revolution." He suggests that, as a country, we invest in alternative energy products with the same type of enthusiasm that sent people to the moon in the 1960's and 1970's. We need to find "a way to produce abundant, cheap, and reliable electrons" and he argues that the country that does this will receive the most respect from the rest of the world. Why do we need electrons?

BlogWork

Watch the video with the amazing narration.

Right down 5 facts from the video about electricity.

Oil Formation!!

2011-02-07T09:51:00.003-05:00

Today we talked about how fossil fuels form. Peat is the material that later forms into oil, coal, or natural gas. There is peat all over the world right now that may, in time, turn into a fossil fuel. It is usually found in swampy areas (and usually it does not smell very good).

BlogWork

Go to the following website: How Stuff Works

There are several pages connected to this link that will provide the answers to the questions.

Answer the following questions in your own words:

1. What is crude oil?

2. What is a hydrocarbon?

3. How do you get gasoline from crude oil?

Coal!

2011-02-01T10:42:00.003-05:00

Electricity seems so clean. We flip a switch and the light goes on. But where does it come from? If we follow the trail of electricity back to its starting point we find a different picture. The mining of coal is not clean or elegant. Mountaintop removal, one common type of coal mining, essentially blows up the surface of the Earth in order to uncover the organic rock underneath. In beautiful West Virginia, there is a debate about whether they should continue their long tradition of coal mining or stop it in order to keep the state in its pristine condition. People on both sides feel very passionately about this and the feuding between them is becoming hostile. But what should be done? If you side with the people who want to stop the mining then you need to sacrifice your own use of electricity. Are you willing to do that? On the other hand, can our Earth survive if we continue to disrupt ecosystems the way we are.

BlogWork

Watch the video below.

Write a paragraph about what you think we should do about electricity consumption in this country.

Nonrenewable Energy

2011-01-31T14:02:00.006-05:00

Except for the sun and the occasional meteorite falling to Earth from space, the Earth contains all of the natural resources that humans and animals use to survive. Some of those resources feel abundant, like we will never run out of them, while others feel less stable. Nonrenewable resources are a type of resource that is limited in our Earth and mostly refer to the energy source known as “fossil fuels.” There is only a certain amount of fossil fuels in the Earth and humans are using them at a much faster rate than they can be replaced. There will be more fossil fuel in time, but it will take another several million years for it to form, which will probably not do the human population much good. But how much time do we have before we run out? This is a question that is unanswered and hotly debated in the scientific community. I believe that your generation will be the one to come up with the answer.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: EIA.gov

Answer the following questions in your own words. Please use examples from your own life to back up your answers.

1- What is energy? (Do not say “the ability to do work”)

2- What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?

Give two examples from potential and two examples from kinetic energy in your real life.

Layers of the Earth!

2011-01-04T09:28:00.004-05:00

Recently, we've talked about the inner layers of the Earth and that scientists believe that there is a solid core surrounded by a liquid outer core. We also know that the solid crust sits on top of a semi-liquid layer called the asthenosphere which allows the tectonic plates to move and shift over time. This shifting of tectonic plates is responsible for earthquakes, many volcanoes, and the formation of mountain chains. But how do scientists know about the middle of the Earth when we have only traveled a few miles below the surface?

BlogWork

Go to the following website: Seismic Waves

Read the page and go through the activity, answering the questions and checking your answers.

Write a short (a couple of sentences) explanation of how scientists know about the layers of the Earth.

Volcano!

2011-01-03T09:41:00.003-05:00

Today we talked about igneous rocks, the type of rock that forms when rock matter is melted down and then cooled. Igneous rock can form underground but when it comes out of the ground it forms volcanoes. The largest mountain in the world, if you’re looking at it from the bottom of the ocean floor, is Mauna Kea, an island in Hawaii (source). Whenever a volcano erupts it produces lava, which cools into different types of igneous rock.

BlogWork

Research one of the following volcanoes and, in your own words, tell the story of how it erupted and what consequences it’s eruption had on the local environment. We will be using Wikipedia today (and today only!).

Rocks!

2010-12-13T09:07:00.004-05:00

For the next few weeks we will be spending time learning about ROCKS! One of my favorite subjects, studying rocks is one of the ways that we can understand and uncover the history of the Earth. This is a picture of one of my favorite rocks. Half-Dome, as it is called, is a massive rock in Yosemite National Park. The rock was formed deep under the surface of the Earth as the molten rock slowly cooled. After a long period of time the ground above the rock eroded away, leaving this beautiful rocky valley behind. At some point, a glacier moved through this valley and you can almost see the path it took as it sliced Half-Dome apart. Half-Dome is one of the greatest rock climbing destinations of the world.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: Geology.com

Choose an igneous rock to read about. Click on the link to the rock of your choice.

Write 7-10 facts about the rock and post them (in your own words, complete sentences).

Mining!

2010-11-29T09:16:00.006-05:00

As we continue to talk about mineral resources, we have started learning about the process of extracting the minerals from the Earth. Open pit mining and shaft mining are the two primary types of mining and each has its own pros and cons. Since minerals are a necessary part of our modern world we need to make sure that our methods of extraction are sustainable for our future Earth.

BlogWork

Either read the article or listen to the news report about the plan to open an open pit mine in Alaska.

Write five questions that come up for you about the report.

Your questions should be deep, probing questions. Do not write questions that have obvious answers.

Example of a good question: What impact will the mine have on the local animals?

Example of a bad question: What is the name of the reporter?

NPR Article

Radio Report

Minerals!

2010-11-18T11:09:00.002-05:00

This week we began talking about minerals. What is a mineral you ask? O.K., all together as if in one voice...a mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Very good.

Minerals are amazing and we use them all the time. Indeed, our bodies physically require minerals and if we did not have access to them we would not survive for long. Minerals are also beautiful. Check out this video of the largest known crystal cave in the world in Mexico (optional):

BlogWork

Go to the following website: geology.com/minerals

On the website you will find links to a bunch of mineral-related topics from "Diamonds to Coal" to "Sea Floor Nodules." Pick one of the links and read through the information.

Write 10 (ten) sentences in your own words describing some of the things you learned in that link.

Web 2.0 Presentations!

2010-10-27T10:46:00.002-04:00

Here is a snapshot of some of the cool Web 2.0 presentations that the students created for their element project.

Ishara!

Nitrogen on Prezi

Elements!!

2010-10-25T09:52:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the first BlogWork assignment for the 2010-2011 school year. I would like you to spend a little time exploring this site so that you know about the kinds of things you can find here. Throughout the year, I will use this site as a learning environment as we move through the content of Earth Science.

This week we have been talking about "Elements", the substances found on the periodic table of elements that make up our entire world, and indeed the entire universe. Elements can stand alone as they are and be very useful. Iron is an element that we use every day in its pure form. Some elements want to combine with other elements to form something completely different (like salt, right?).

BlogWork

1. Please watch the video below and write three facts stated in the song about elements.

2. Search through the blogsite and write a sentence about something else that interests you.

All posts should be written in complete sentences.

Hit the "comment" button on the bottom of this post. Please give yourself a name so that I can give you credit.

Dirt...it's what's for dinner

2010-05-24T10:45:00.004-04:00

Earlier in the year we talked about the food chain and how energy is transfered through ecosystems. We learned that a food chain starts with the producers (organisms that can make their own food) and then how that energy can then be transfered to the herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and finally the decomposers. Well, if it is true that the food chain begins with the producers then the most vital aspect of that chain must be the ground in which those organisms grow. We don't often give respect and appreciation for the dirt that is one of the most significant components of our ecosystem.

BlogWork

Go to the website: Life Under Your Feet

On the left side of the page you will find six links (soil ecology, what is soil, soil organisms...etc). Go through each page, read the whole page, then write down three important facts (in sentence form) for each page.

The Niches of Fishes

2010-05-18T09:38:00.002-04:00

Fishes exist in just about every aquatic environment on the planet. From the shallow seas to the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, fishes have found ways to adapt and survive. Some fish, like the stingray, are bottom dwellers that spend their time searching the bottom of the ocean floor. Others, like the hagfish, have amazing adaptations (remember the mucus?).

BlogWork

Go to the following website: National Geographic.

Pick an article to read or a video to watch. Report on what information was being presented and discuss any adaptations you learned about the fish and what it's niche is.

Extra Credit

Research the reproductive technique of the Angler Fish.

The Mollusk!

2010-05-04T09:34:00.007-04:00

There are approximately 85,000 species of mollusk in the world. Mollusks have soft bodies and many of them live in hard shells. The gastropods, like snails and slugs, are the most classified of all of the mollusks and make up about 80% of the total. Cephalopod mollusks, like the giant squid or the cuttlefish, are some of the most neurologically advanced of all the invertebrates.

BlogWork

Watch two of the videos below and write down 10 questions (total) for both videos. Please make sure you describe which videos you watched.

Kingdom Plantae!

2010-04-26T09:08:00.002-04:00

"It's not easy being green."

- Kermit, the Frog

Until about 500 million years ago, the life on this planet was almost purely aquatic. Photosynthetic organisms covered the world's oceans while the land remained a desolate, barren wasteland. In those early days of life's history on Earth, it was hard to imagine that one day the land would be covered in living organisms. The first multicellular plants most likely came from green algae which teamed up with a fungus, similarly to how lichen survives today. This symbiotic relationship continues to be a popular way to move energy through the ecosystem, as four-fifths of modern plants have fungal partners (called mycorrhizae), on their roots.

Plants provide nearly all of the food that supports terrestrial life. They are now the dominant feature of land life. The angiosperms, or flowering plants, are the most diverse with more than 275,000 species.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: The Plant Kingdom

Go through the slide show about the plant kingdom.

Answer the following questions:

1. What does mycorrhizal fungi do for plants?

2. What are the main characteristics of plants?

3. What is xylem and phloem?

4. What is fruit?

5. Why is an angiosperm more complex than other plants?

6. What is your favorite plant and why?

Slime Molds!

2010-04-19T09:24:00.005-04:00

Slime Mold is an organism that straddles two kingdoms. They share qualities with both the protist kingdom and the fungi kingdom. There are more than 500 species of slime mold and can be found ingesting bacteria and decaying wood. There is still a tremendous amount that we do not understand about the slime molds. It seems evident that they might have an intelligence beyond what we would expect from such a simple life form. In one experiment, slime mold was able to navigate its way through a maze in order to find the food source.

BlogWork

Read the article about the experiment: BBC News.

Watch the video about slime molds.

What are five interesting things you found in the article and the video?

Kingdom Protista!

2010-04-15T10:41:00.003-04:00

The protists are a kingdom of organisms that consist mostly of single-celled organisms but also contains some related multicellular species. If you were to look at a drop of pond water under a microscope (as we shall do) you will find it teeming with tiny, wriggling creatures. Protists flourish wherever there is moisture. In many marine ecosystems, protists are the key organisms driving all of the others within the food chain.

There is a wide range of types of protists. No other kingdom includes so many different kinds of cells. Some photosynthesize, while others are heterotrophs (organisms that feed off of other organisms).

BlogWork

Go to the website about protists.

Scroll through the page, pick one protist and write a description of it. Describe it in detail in your own words.

Extra credit: Go to this website, print out a protist mask and wear it to school!

(I'm just kidding... maybe.)

Your CIA mission!

2010-03-08T08:04:00.002-05:00

Hey everybody! I'm sorry I'm out today. I have a stomach flu which I expect will only last 24 hours. I should be back in tomorrow.

As we prepare to design our biome dioramas I want you to look at the countries that have your biomes in them.

BlogWork

Go to the CIA website, The World Factbook, and find information about one of the countries that has your biome in it. Read through the information about that country and write down a list of ten facts about the country. Please write in complete sentences. There is extensive information on every country, so make sure you read through all of the drop down menus.

A Snowy BlogWork!

2010-02-25T13:02:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone. I wish I were wearing the pink wig today. Oh well, perhaps we will return to school tomorrow. I'm not ready to make a prediction yet.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: National Geographic.

Pick one of the links on the page describing a habitat (sustainable agriculture, grasslands, deserts, etc.).

Read the whole article about that habitat and then write 5 - 10 good questions about the article.

Adaptations!

2010-02-18T12:14:00.006-05:00

As we read and learn about the climates and living conditions in biomes around the world, we are also spending time thinking about how plants and animals have adapted qualities that allow them to survive in a wide range of physical settings. I’m always interested in seeing extreme examples of survival techniques. The world is covered in these examples, as life tends to find ways to survive in the harshest of environments. One example of this is the lungfish, which is one of the strangest animals I know of.

BlogWork

First watch the video about the lungfish and write a response about that crazy fish.

Then, pick a video from the same page about another animal and write a paragraph describing the adaptations that the animal has that allows it to survive in its biome.

Rainforest!

2010-02-04T09:27:00.003-05:00

This weeks biome is the Rainforest. Located in a belt that wraps around the Earth's equator, the world's rainforests are home to some of the most diverse species on the planet. A plethora of life exists at every level of this biome, from the understory up through the canopy. At night, the rainforest continues to be an active space for species to make their way in the world.

BlogWork

Go to the website: Rainforest at Night

Search for and read about all five species found in this tour, plus the section about deforestation (you are required to leave the sound on the whole time you are doing your homework). Write a description of two of the species and answer the following questions about deforestation:

1. Who are the Penan and what challenges do they face?

2. What does "loss of biodiversity" mean? Give an example.

3. How might deforestation lead to global warming?

Biomes!

2010-02-01T09:59:00.002-05:00

Our latest unit involves learning about the different types of biomes that exist on the planet. A biome is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities. The two biggest influences on what determines a biome is the climate and the vegetation, because they, in turn, determine everything else.

BlogWork

Go to one of the following websites:

The World's Biomes

Blue Planet Biomes

Pick one of the biomes described on the website and write 5-10 sentences describing some of the characteristics of the biome. Please write the sentences in your own words (no cutting and pasting).

The Food Web

2010-01-04T09:41:00.002-05:00

All organisms, living or dead, are potential food sources for other living organisms. A caterpillar eats a leaf, a robin eats the caterpillar, and a hawk eats the robin. Decomposers consume the leaf, caterpillar, robin and hawk after they die. therefore, there is very little matter wasted in natural ecosystems. The food chain, or the more realistic food web, are ways to model the energy that gets transferred from one organism to the next. As you can see from the pyramid, it takes many more producers to support a group of herbivores and many more herbivores to support carnivores.

BlogWork

Go to the following websites and complete the activities at each site.

Make three to five observations based on your experience going through the activities.

Gould League

Food Web

Niches

2009-12-15T09:35:00.003-05:00

In order for an organisms to survive it needs to have all of the resources available that it's body needs. The habitat that it lives in must provide appropriate levels of water, light, temperature, and a supply of food. This appropriate combination of factors is called a "niche." Some organisms have developed adaptations that require them to be dependent on other organisms. Mutualism, an example of this, is when two species benefit from a relationship with each other. Ocellaris clownfish live in the tentacles of Ritteri sea anemones. The fish cleans the tentacles for the anemone and the anemone protects the fish from predators.

BlogWork

Watch the video about mutualism. Comment about the example of mutualism discussed in the film or go above and beyond and research another example of mutualism and comment on it.

Ecology

2009-12-07T08:57:00.003-05:00

Today we begin a new unit titled "Ecology." Ecology is the study of the interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. All living things on the planet have developed adaptations that allow them to survive in their environments and organisms have found ways to live in almost every part of the biosphere. Ecologists are people who study these organisms and spend a lot of time asking questions about what influences their ability to survive. For example, an ecologist might study the warty newt and discover that it's warty complexion is due to a "milky, acrid-smelling substance" that is used to discourage predators from feasting on them. That ecologist might go on to ask the question, "what part of the warty newts diet influences the milky, acrid-smelling substance?" Since the warty newt is endangered, understanding its diet may help to keep it from going extinct.

BlogWork

Go to the following website: National Geographic

On the right side is a menu for all of the animals that National Geographic has in their data base. Pick one or two animals and read about them.

After reading about the animal, write four questions about the animal as if you are an ecologist studying it.

Cell Finale

2009-11-30T21:52:00.015-05:00

This video should be helpful to you as you prepare for Thursday's test.

BlogWork

Go to the website at exploritorium.com.

Click on any of the categories and write an overview describing one of the images captured by the Microscope Imaging Station.

Cell Division

2009-11-16T08:45:00.003-05:00

One of the most important aspects to life is the ability to reproduce. Species reproduction hinges on cellular reproduction. The ability for a cell to make copies of itself is an amazing process. It is happening on a constant basis all through your body and all through the living world.

In the human body, the 46 chromosomes form 23 pairs of chromosomes. The pairs form because the chromosomes are alike. When there are two of every chromosome the cell is called diploid. Sex cells, on the other hand, contain only one chromosome from each matched pair and are called haploid. Therefore, a human sex cell has 23 chromosomes, not 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Meiosis happens when an organism reproduces. Sex cells form with one half the chromosomes of the original cell. This way, when that cell pairs up with a sex cell from another organism, the result is a combination of chromosomes from both parents.

Mitosis is happening all the time throughout your body. In this process, the nucleus of a cell divides to form two identical nuclei. Each of the two nuclei contain the same number and type of chromosomes as the original.

BlogWork

Go to the website CellsAlive.com. On the left side of the website, there is a section called "interactive." Starting with the "Cell Model" link, go through each of the interactive activities (you don't need to do the puzzles or the quizzes). Make a comment (write a paragraph) about cell division based on what you learned through these demonstrations.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2009-11-12T17:08:00.008-05:00

Hi everybody. I'm sorry I wasn't at school today. I hope you enjoyed the Planet Earth DVD . I think it's some of the most amazing footage of our world.

Adaptations are characteristics that an organism has that allow it to survive in it's environment. For example, the leopard can climb trees so that they can pounce on prey from above and sleep safely in it's branches.

BlogWork

Please comment on something interesting from the docementary today (linked). I would especially be interested in hearing about adaptations that you noticed in the living organisms discussed in the film.

Edible Cell Day!!

2009-11-09T09:31:00.005-05:00

We are approaching edible cell day, where you all will be bringing in models of eukaryotic cells made out of food we can eat. Do your best to find foods that will look similar to the actual organelles found in the cell. For example, ribosomes are small bead-like parts found on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. I think they look like Nerd candies.

Prizes will be awarded to best tasting, most accurate, and worst tasting.

Bring in your edible cell on November 20th.

BlogWork

Go to the following website and read each page about the Eukaryotic Animal Cell (by clicking the next button). Identifying Eukaryotic Animal Cell Organelles

Pick one organelle and write a description of its purpose and function.

Cell!

2009-11-02T12:14:00.003-05:00

A long time ago in a monastery far, far away....

Robert Hooke was one of the first to observe that all living organisms are made of structures which he called "cells." He named them after the living quarters for monks in a monastery (cells!). The word "cell," as defined by dictionary.com, is "any of various small compartments or bounded areas forming part of a whole." This definition works well for our understanding of what a cell is in life science. They are the simplest structures that make up life.

BlogWork

Watch the video about cells and answer the questions:

1. How many cells are in a human body?

2. Which parts of the body are made of cells?

3. What does the nucleus do inside the cell?

4. What does the membrane do?

5. Do cells communicate?

6. What other interesting thing did you learn from this video?

Molecules

2009-10-19T12:36:00.004-04:00

Hey Class!!

As we finish talking about the smallest particles that make up matter, we begin talking about the substances that are made from different combinations of atoms. A molecule is a combination of at least two atoms that form a strong chemical bond. A molecule might consist of a single element (O2) or of different elements (H2O).

BlogWork

Go to the following website: All About Molecules

Read the whole introduction to what a molecule is.

Then, pick one molecule and, in your own words, describe the molecule in a post.

Elements

2009-10-01T14:01:00.003-04:00

Hello class! This week we started to learn about atoms and how they are structured. We know that atoms have three parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms make up everything in the universe (except nothing). Are all atoms the same, though? The answer to that is "no." Have you ever heard of the periodic table of the elements? Well, that complicated chart is a list of all of the different types of atoms in the world. Scientists have identified approximately 90 types of atoms that exist in the natural world and have created synthetic ones in laboratories. This list of different types of atoms are called elements.

BlogWork

You and everything around you is made of elements. Write a list of 5-10 elements that you can find in your house. This link might help you figure out what elements are around you. WebElements

For example: In my classroom the radiator is made of iron.

For fun, you can watch this video for a song by a sciencey band called They Might Be Giants.

Sinkhole, dude!

2009-09-15T14:22:00.002-04:00

In the book Tangerine, the main character's portable classroom gets sucked into a sinkhole. For many of you it was the first time you've heard of such a phenomenon. However, as we read recently, sinkholes can be extremely common in certain parts of the world, including parts of Pennsylvania (not the part that we're in, luckily). Often, sinkholes are created by people. What are they doing to create these scary events?

BlogWork

Watch this video.

Watch the video and write three questions that come up for you about the video.

Welcome and Welcome Back!!

2009-09-08T18:43:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone! It's great to be back. After an excellent summer I feel completely rejuvenated and ready for an amazing year of science discovery. I did a bunch of great, sciencey things this summer, most of which I will tell you about I'm sure. I read some terrific science books, took a chemistry class, wrote curriculum for a coming summer program at a local school, and spent a good portion of time near the ocean. One of my favorite trips this summer was a mushroom gathering trip I took with a friend of mine who is an amateur mycophile (someone who gathers mushrooms). We found a lot of amazing mushrooms, some edible and some not. This is a picture of me with the "Chicken of the Woods" that we found. Later that evening, I cooked it up and ate it!

BlogWork

Respond to this post by letting me know something sciencey that you did this summer.

Solar Energy

2009-03-24T13:27:00.003-04:00

The sun, as sung by They Might Be Giants, is a mass of incandescent gas, a giant nuclear furnace. Are they accurate in their description? We have been talking about alternative energy systems and one, very well known system, is the photovoltaic cell (aka solar panels) which captures sunlight and transfers that energy into electricity. There are many innovations emerging to improve upon this technology.

BlogWork

Go to the site and either watch the video (the link is called "Video: Solar Power") or read the article (be sure and expand the document to read the whole thing).

National Geographic

Write down five facts from either the video or the article, then respond to the question, "Do you think that the sun will solve our energy problems?"

Robotic Fish to Hunt for Pollution

2009-03-20T09:46:00.004-04:00

This $30,000 robotic fish is designed to swim through the ocean and detect pollution. It can swim around (very realistically) for 8 hours, after which it needs to return to a charging station.

Innovation Nation

2009-03-16T08:38:00.003-04:00

Wind farm, Mersey Estuary, UK

Photo by eikona

As we are researching alternative energy resources, it is important to note that the technologies are changing all the time. Every day you can find new information about improvements to the alternative energy industry. It's very exciting to watch the innovations emerge as people feel the pressure of living a more sustainable life.

BlogWork

Pick one of the articles below. Read the article and write a one paragraph summary of it. Provide detail in your paragraphs and include one quote.

Ontario: The New Frontier for Alternative Energy

Making Solar Cheaper than Coal

Thursday's BlogWork

2009-03-04T21:57:00.003-05:00

Hi everybody. I'm sorry that I haven't been in school for the past couple of days. I'm currently in the Rocky Mountains and I'm seeing some amazing rock formations. The ecosystem is very different out here. It is very dry and desert-like. In addition, the Rockies are at a much higher elevation than what I am used to in Philadelphia. As a result, I find myself breathing heavily after walking up a set of stairs. Do you know why that is?

BlogWork

Go to the following link, read the source, and answer these questions:

1. How long have biofuels been around?

2. Why are gasoline and diesel ancient biofuels?

3. Where do biofuels come from and how are they made?

4. Are biofuels renewable or nonrenewable? Why?

Above and Beyond: Do you think that biofuels provide a viable energy resource for our country? Why or why not?

Pacific barreleye fish

2009-03-01T18:15:00.001-05:00

Marine biologists have captured a Pacific barreleye fish on video. With its transparent head, it is possibly one of the strangest animals I have ever seen.

Oil!!

2009-02-26T13:43:00.003-05:00

Today we were discussing fossil fuels and how they form. You may recall that I referred to fossil fuels as "trapped sunlight." Fossil fuels come from the remains of plants and animals that have died off millions of years ago. All living organisms on this planet (with the possible exception of some bacteria that live at the bottom of the oceans) depend on sunlight energy to grow and live.

BlogWork

We do not only use fossil fuels as an energy source. We also convert some of it to make plastic. The invention of artificial plastics had a damaging effect on the environment because most plastics break down very slowly, so they remain in landfills and are dangerous to wildlife. However, the invention of plastics also affected the environment in many positive ways. Write a paragraph describing some of the positive qualities to plastic.

Energy Resources

2009-02-24T13:24:00.005-05:00

photo by tomthecabinboy

Our next unit will cover energy resources and the way that we create and use energy as a society. We often turn on light switches without thinking about where that energy comes from. As we have discussed, one of the laws of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transfered (or transformed). So when we turn on that light switch, where does it come from?

BlogWork

Go to the following link: HowStuffWorks.com

Scroll down and watch the video titled "Electricity and Magnetism: Electric Current."

Write 10 facts down that you learned from the video.

2009-02-12T13:35:00.002-05:00

Today we talked about some of the tools that we will use to collect data about our local ecosystems. The barometer, the Kestrel (wind meter), and the sling psychrometer are tools for studying the weather. We will use these tools, and others, when we work to analyze our local ecosystem and work to discover the problems that exist there.

BlogWork

Go to this website.

Find the link for "Environment Videos."

On the right side, click the link for "Freshwater."

Watch one of the videos.

Write a paragraph response to the video (what was it about, what were some of the most important points).

Fresh Water

2009-02-10T07:47:00.003-05:00

There is a very small percentage of fresh water in the world. Of all of the water on the planet, less than one percent is fresh water. Fresh water habitats are the home of many, many species and obviously humans are dependent on it for survival. Human activities have been altering and impacting these ecosystems in many ways.

BlogWork

Read the source.

Answer the following questions:

1. Where is fresh water found in the world?

2. Why are freshwater habitats so important?

In what ways have humans been changing freshwater habitats?

Conservation

2009-02-08T20:38:00.004-05:00

Hi everybody! Sorry that I missed you in school today. I hope you all got started on your research projects on conservation. This work will culminate in another project that I will talk about when I get back. Please get as much done as possible before I return.

BlogWork for Monday

Watch the video. Comment on the message in the video (in a well-designed paragraph).

The Carbon Cycle

2009-02-03T09:39:00.002-05:00

Today we discussed the carbon cycle, which is the way that carbon gets moved through our environment. Carbon is essential to life on Earth and is a key component to proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The carbon cycle is a model that scientists have created to show how carbon gets transferred between the atmosphere, land, water, and organisms. When you eat a living organisms (whether it is a buffalo or a carrot) you are adding to the carbon cycle.

A carbon sink is a deposit of carbon that stores carbon for an indefinite period of time. Fossil fuels and limestone deposits are examples of these reservoirs of carbon.

BlogWork

In your life, where do you think you are creating the most CO2?

What would be one way that you could reduce the amount of CO2 that you create?

The Greenhouse Effect

2009-02-02T09:54:00.006-05:00

The greenhouse effect is the phenomenon of planets or moons trapping heat in the atmosphere. Just like an actual greenhouse, thermal energy from the sun gets absorbed by certain gases in the atmosphere and the heat gets trapped. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane are the primary gases that trap this heat. This trapped heat is extremely useful and allows our planet to keep the mild temperatures that we enjoy. Useful, for us, perhaps, but deadly for other places (see your BlogWork).

BlogWork

Research: Describe the atmosphere on Venus and explain why it is the way it is.

Venus - A Runaway Greenhouse Effect

Environmental Science!

2009-01-26T09:36:00.003-05:00

As we begin the work of the 2nd semester, we direct our attention toward the environment and on our impact on our planet. Humans have impacted ecosystems as long as humans have existed. Even the earliest hunter-gatherers influenced our planet in irreversible ways. For example, archeologists have discovered several large mammals that lived on this continent 1,000s of years ago that are now extinct. What happened to these amazing beasts? They may have died off as a result of climatic changes (the ice age), but it is also possible that they were hunted to extinction.

BlogWork:

Research one of the following extinct large mammals from N. America. Write a paragraph describing the animal and the evidence of its existence.

Rock!

2009-01-04T14:51:00.003-05:00

We have been studying rocks and the ways that they influence the land. Above is a picture of one the most famous rocks in the world.

BlogWork

Research and respond to one of the following:

What famous rock is pictured above and what kind of rock is it?
What other famous object is made of rock? What type of rock is it?

Earth Origins

2008-10-14T09:33:00.003-04:00

This week we began a new unit discussing the origin of the Earth. In order to understand Earth's origin, we first took a look at how the universe was created. The Big Bang theory states that all of the matter in the universe was concentrated in one small mass that blew apart 10-20 billion years ago. As that matter spread out, some of it collected in a central mass, contracted under its own gravity, condensed, and heated until forces were so strong that thermonuclear reactions began, thus creating the star that is the center of our solar system. Some of the questions that we will be tackling this week are:

Why is Earth so well-suited for life? What factors contribute to this?
What is Earth's revolution and what evidence do we have for it?

Nobel Prize in Particle Physics!

2008-10-07T09:11:00.002-04:00

This year's Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to an American and two Japanese physicists for their work in subatomic physics. Their discovery, called spontaneous broken symmetry, is a mechanism that predicts the existence of three families of quarks. "Spontaneous broken symmetry conceals nature's order under an apparently jumbled surface. It has proved to be extremely useful, and Nambu's theories permeate the Standard Model of elementary particle physics," said the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.

Here is an article: Nobel Prize in Physics

Fundamental Particles

2008-09-16T11:51:00.003-04:00

We have been talking about small particles this week. Atoms, which are the tiny particles that make up matter, were once thought to be fundamental. That is, they were believed to be the end of the line when it comes to breaking apart substances. At this point, scientists have found that even atoms can be broken down into smaller parts, protons, electrons, and neutrons, which can also be broken down into even smaller parts (quarks, leptons, force carrier particles).

Go to the following link to go on a "Particle Adventure."

Here comes the LHC!!

2008-09-10T09:45:00.003-04:00

Last night, scientists at CERN (the European Center for Nuclear Research) turned on the Large Hadron Collider, the worlds largest particle accelerator located outside Geneva Switzerland. This experiment will send two protons going in opposite directions speeding around a circular ring 17 miles in circumference. The protons will then be smashed together and scientists will observe the reaction. The goal of this project is to find out answers about the makeup of matter and the origin of the universe. Specifically, scientists are hoping to find evidence for a theoretical particle called the Higg's Boson.

Here is a video that might help you understand the significance of the LHC:

Welcome and Welcome Back!!!

2008-09-02T18:38:00.004-04:00

Gaia is the name that James Lovelock gave our planet when he decided to propose his hypothesis that our planet is actually a living organism in and of itself. Our planet is surely a massive complexity that can only be understood by breaking down its various parts. This year, the middle school will take on the challenge of understanding those parts and then synthesizing this knowledge in order to make sense of the world.

By the way, Lovelock did not invent the term "gaia." Where is it from originally?

Comment on this question: Can you prove or disprove Lovelock's hypothesis?

Hey...I'm a fungi!

2008-05-14T08:40:00.004-04:00

Last night for homework you read an article about the organization, Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life project (AFTOL), which is a federally funded group dedicated to gaining an understanding of Kingdom Fungi. They say that 80,000 different species of fungi have been identified but that there are very likely over 1.5 million species out there. Why is it so crucial that they make progress in this work?
The internet is becoming an extremely useful tool in the process of classification. People from all over the world now have a resource to share and compare their understanding of the organisms in the natural world. One site, the Tree of Life Web Project, is a place to collect and classify the life on the planet. This site is still being built, so not all of the information on specific organisms are available yet.

BlogWork
Go to Tree of Life Web Project.
Click on the mushroom on this page.
Your assignment is to research one type of fungi from this list. Your best bet is to pick one of the top four choices (Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, Glomeromycota, or Zygomycota). Take some time to look through this site before you settle on one species.
Write a detailed paragraph (1/2 page) describing one aspect of the fungi.

Kingdom Protista

2008-04-28T09:43:00.002-04:00

Kingdom Protista is an unusual grouping of organisms. It’s as if this is the place to put organisms if you don’t know where else to put them. Within this kingdom, organisms can be grouped in several ways. Protists are supposed to be eukaryotic and unicellular. They are eukaryotic, but not all of the protists are unicellular. Many of the algae-based organisms are multicellular and can grow to enormous sizes (like kelp). You can also group the protists according to how they obtain energy. Some are plantlike, some are animallike, and some absorb food from their surroundings like fungi. The vast differences within the Protist kingdom make it difficult for taxonomists to classify them. For example, how do you classify an organism like Euglena which eats food and conducts photosynthesis!?!

BlogWork
Research one of the following protists using the links provided. Write a detailed paragraph describing the organisms.
Euglena
Diotoms
Amoeba
Paramecium
Porphyra
Dinoflagellates
Chytrids
Slime Molds

Others worth exploring:

Macrocystis
Ulva
Labyrinthulomycetes

Microbes in our soil

2008-04-16T09:43:00.002-04:00

Today we worked on creating the Tullgren funnel, a device designed to capture (and unfortunately, kill) the microscopic organisms that live in our soil. As most of you know, I don’t like the idea of killing things and do my best to avoid doing so. I want us to do this lab, not because I think that microorganisms are insignificant (I actually think they are remarkably significant), but because I truly believe that by studying them you will have more empathy for their existence. Rest assured that we will not be doing any harm to the population of these microbes. Did you know that 90% of the Earth’s biomass comes from microorganisms?

BlogWork
Research one of the following organisms that live in our soil. Using the links provided, write a detailed paragraph about the organism.
- mites (Acarina)
- springtails (Collembola)
- earthworms (Annelida)
- termites (Isoptera)

Soil - A Renewable Resource

2008-04-09T09:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we discussed the ways that soil is essential to life on land. Almost every fiber of our being, with the exception of the water and the ideas in your head, is a product of soil. Yet, most of us have very little connection to the soil that feeds our bodies. We place a tremendous amount of trust in people that we have never met to manage our soil.

BlogWork

Go to the link and pick one of the articles listed. Provide your peers with an overview of the article. Be detailed in your description of the topic and provide your own analysis of the condition of the soil.

Dirt: It's what's for dinner

2008-04-07T09:55:00.003-04:00

Today we began our unit on soil. It can be a little scary to think that one tablespoon of soil holds more living organisms than there are people living on the Earth! Soil is essential to life on this planet and without it we would not exist.

BlogWork
Go to the following website about the 12 soil orders.
Click on the link providing information about the 12 soil orders.
Pick one of the orders (example: Gelisols or Oxisols). Click on it for more detailed information.
Write a summary of one of the 12 types of soil.
Also, make a prediction as to what type of soil we have in our ecoplots.

Zooplankton

2008-03-17T13:11:00.004-04:00

Zooplankton are tiny animals that are found in most aquatic ecosystems and are a key component to any water food web.

BlogWork
Go to this website and research one of the types of zooplankton listed (example: nanoplanktonic flagellates or phylum rotifera. Write a detailed paragraph about this type of organism.

So what is the synthetic sea of the North Pacific Gyre?

2008-03-14T09:23:00.003-04:00

You probably don't want to know.

Threats to the ocean's ecosystem

2008-03-13T13:46:00.003-04:00

One overwhelming threat to the ocean's vast ecosystem is the massive quantities of garbage that has been dumped into it. This trash is overwhelming to the plants and animals that attempt to survive there.
BlogWork:
Go to the following website and read and/or watch the news report. Answer the following questions:

What substance is creating the biggest problem in the pollution of the oceans?
What types of organisms are having the most trouble with pollution and why?
Why did the report say, "plastic doesn't pollute, people pollute?"

Extra Credit: What is the "synthetic sea of the North Pacific Gyre?"

Amazing Adaptations

2008-03-12T09:19:00.004-04:00

In our discussions on aquatic ecosystems we are discovering some amazing adaptations that organisms have to survive in their unique environments. The mangrove trees, for example, survive in brackish water (a combination of fresh and salt water) and grow wide, above ground root systems. This complex network of roots is a perfect habitat for many organisms, allowing for a high degree of biodiversity.

BlogWork
The Anglerfish has developed extremely unique survival traits that allow it to exist within the harsh and desolate environment at the bottom of the ocean. One of the most disturbing of these adaptations is its method of reproduction. Go to the following website and read about the Anglerfish. Write a comment about the reproductive method of this organism.

Mangrove Forests

2008-03-10T09:56:00.003-04:00

Today we discussed the coastal wetlands. The mangrove forests, densely populated ecosystems characterized by the mangrove tree, are found in subtropical and tropical zones. Of the worlds mangrove forests, nothing compares to Bangladesh's Sundarbans.
Covering 5.7 billion square meters, this vibrant ecosystem holds a tremendous amount of biodiversity. This is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, of which approximately 500 remain.

Dissolved Oxygen And BlogTests!

2008-03-06T07:33:00.007-05:00

Today we were talking about rivers and we discussed some reasons why there was less dissolved oxygen (DO) available in the water as the river descended down a mountainside. It was a conundrum, because logic would assume that there would be more oxygen because there are more aquatic plants as a river slows down. While it’s true that aquatic plants, like seaweed, do produce dissolved oxygen, there is an overriding principle that guides the amount of DO in a water supply. Temperature of water has a direct impact on the amount of DO available.

By the way, we erred in our method of collecting the sample for DO. I challenge you to find the error.

BlogTest
Your ecoplots have transformed dramatically since we first visited them. Your teams have come up with many astute observations about the ways in which organisms interact. What can you tell so far about the health of the ecosystem?
On a single sheet of paper, write a five paragraph essay. Use at least five facts from your science log to reinforce your observations.
Describe the ways in which your ecoplot is a vibrant ecosystem. Describe the ways that it may be limited.

Overfishing

2008-03-03T09:24:00.002-05:00

Fish are an amazing source of nutrition for people. Whether you love tuna fish sandwiches, filleted salmon, or fish sticks, most of us enjoy eating some type of fish. All over the world, people are being fed by the plentiful bounty found within our aquatic ecosystems. But how long can we sustain these practices? Like many of the world’s resources, the population of fish is in jeopardy. Watch this short, “humorous” video about the future of fishing:

BlogWork:

Read the article linked below. Answer the following questions in complete, well thought out sentences. You may either hand them in or e-mail them, but DO NOT post them in the comment section. I would like you to provide one quote from the article in the comment section.
Questions:
What does finite mean and how does it apply to fish populations?
What evidence is there that fish stock is in decline?
What does Dr. Worm say about why biodiversity is so important to marine life?
What is an example of a fishing practice that is extremely damaging to the ecosystem?
What is it going to take to solve this problem?

Article: BBC News: "Only 50 Years Left" for Sea Fish

Water Monitoring

2008-02-27T09:11:00.004-05:00

After collecting water samples of the runoff leading into the Wissahickon we begin our work in analyzing the samples to assess the health of our local aquatic ecosystem. In the next week, we will be analyzing the samples for pH, dissolved oxygen content, nitrates and phosphates, turbidity, and coliform bacteria.

BlogWork
Research Question: Where is Lake Baikal and why is it such a unique ecosystem? What are some of the ecological threats facing Lake Baikal?

Freshwater Wetlands

2008-02-25T09:58:00.002-05:00

Today we spent some time learning about the importance of our freshwater wetlands. Not long ago, wetlands were considered wasted space by humans. You can't grow useful crops in a wetland and they tend to be infested with insects. As a result, many, many wetlands have been drained in order to build residential or commercial spaces. Whenever they do this they displace the organisms that use that space, many of which are extremely useful to that local ecosystem. Nowadays, developers are expected to construct human-made wetlands in place of the original. But is this enough and how effective are these reconstructions?

BlogWork:
Around 90 years ago, a scientist from the United States Department of Forestry received a packet of seeds from a friend in Australia. The seeds were from the melaleuca tree. The scientist scattered the seeds throughout the Florida Everglades, hoping they would soak up the "mucky wasteland."
Research the impact of the melaleuca tree on the Florida Everglades.

Aquatic Ecosystems

2008-02-20T09:22:00.002-05:00

Today we discussed the ways in which organisms have adapted to survive in the varying conditions found in aquatic ecosystems. There are three broad categories of the types of organisms that exist in water; plankton (drifters), Nekton (free-swimming organisms), and Benthos (bottom dwelling organisms). I watched an online news segment about a marine biologist who has been studying some fascinating Benthos organisms, primarily the cuttlefish, and their amazing adaptations for camouflage. Octopi also have a camouflage adaptation and he was following one octopus for a while when he was able to capture this amazing footage:

BlogWork:
What is eutrophication? How does it happen? What effects does it have on aquatic ecosystems?

Pale Blue Dot

2008-02-19T09:38:00.005-05:00

Carl Sagan, a famous astronomer and author, once said that if you saw Earth from far away in space, what you would see is a pale blue dot. Our planet appears this way because 70% of it is covered in water. Every living thing on this planet owes its existence to that miraculous molecule.

In the next two weeks, we will be studying Earth's water systems and we will analyze water in our local ecosystems.

Blogwork

Tell a story about a body of water that you visited (lake, river, ocean, etc). Describe the ecosystem that existed there. What types of plants and animals did you notice? Was the ecosystem healthy, in your opinion? Why or why not?

Podcasts are up!

2008-02-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

As we finish our reports on biomes, students have been working to post their research in the form of a podcast. Podcasting is a way to share multimedia resources through the internet. They usually get posted as either an audio or video recording. I have a link posted (under "links") for the podcast page, which is run by "mypodcast.com."

Blogwork:

Find the link to the podcasts on this page.

Listen to two of your classmate's podcasts.

Write a paragraph describing what you learned from the podcast.

Space Shuttle

2008-02-08T23:16:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, the Space Shuttle launched and headed for the International Space Station. The liftoff was flawless.
Here is a link to the lift off.
Here is a link to live coverage.

Dung Beetles

2008-02-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

Today we learned about two fragile biomes, the desert and the tundra. What makes them fragile, you might ask? They are fragile because of the simple food chains that exist within them. Within the tundra during the winter months there are only a few organisms that can survive. If there is a disruption to any one part of the biome, the whole food chain gets disrupted.

However, despite the limiting factors, there are some amazing adaptations for the organisms that do exist in these biomes. There is a tremendous amount of symbiosis that exists between organisms. The Dung Beetle is a great example of this. Dung Beetles have been held in very high regard by many cultures, although they tend to get a bad rap in our country. Why are they such useful creatures?

Check out this video about the Dung Beetle.

Virtual Field Trips

2008-01-31T09:45:00.000-05:00

The internet has many amazing attributes. One recent discovery for me is that many people have set up "virtual field trips" where you can visit a place on the planet through the internet. I may never actually make it to the remote location of Easter Island, but this website makes me feel like I am close to being there.

BlogWork:

Take a virtual field trip to any of the biomes listed on this link.

Describe three organisms from the biome. Don't forget to write clearly and provide detail.

Above and Beyond: (In addition to the assignment above)

Find a virtual field trip for the biome that you are researching. There are virtual field trips for almost everything! Post a link and use some of the information you find in your final biome presentation.

To my middle school classes:

2008-01-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

You did an excellent job responding to the last post. You made some astute observations and your comments were clear and to the point. I liked Max's comment that the female mole cricket flies silently in order to avoid predators. I wonder how it does that and whether scientists have ever looked at their method of flight to recreate for humans.
Blogwork:
Now I have a challenge for you. Look back at the comments and pick one from any of the entries from the January 24th post. Find a website about that organism and it's unique characteristics. Provide the class a link to that website. Describe why the link might be interesting or useful and add one additional fact about the critter. I have provided an example.

Grasslands

2008-01-24T09:17:00.000-05:00

Grasslands cover vast amounts of territory within the interior of many continents. A vital biome, grasslands support a tremendous amount of biodiversity. Clearly, they contain a large amount of trapped sunlight when you consider how large some of the organisms can get from feeding off of the grasses. Elephants, bison, herds of antelope (to name a few) thrive in this environment. That is, of course, when their environment is left alone. This habitat has been disrupted by humans for as long as humans have settled there. Because of the fertile soil provided by the grass, humans have used this land for agriculture. This limits the space for animal herds and it can also destroy the soil for future generations. Luckily, many grassland animals are being protected.

The North American Bison, for example, was hunted to the brink of extinction by the early 1900's. Due to conservation efforts, the bison's population has bounced back, going from under a thousand to nearly two hundred thousand.

This link holds information about the bison. Click on the link to watch the video about bison from the documentary "Planet Earth."

http://www.nature.org/earth/grasslands/

BlogWork:

Go to the following site:

http://www.nature.org/animals/grasslands/

Pick one of the animals listed and write a comment about three adaptations that the animal has that allows it to survive in the grassland.

How it all ends: Return of the Global Warming Teacher

2008-01-23T10:02:00.000-05:00

Here is part two of the thoughtful arguement presented by the Oregonian teacher on global warming. In this version, he addresses the thousands of skeptical comments received after his first video. In addition, he has added spectacular visual effects, the likes of which have not been seen since The Matrix! Watch it and decide if his conclusions are logical or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg

Grasslands

2008-01-15T10:18:00.001-05:00

Grasslands are vast territories that have too little precipitation to support large trees. The biome is dominated by smaller plants that need to be adapted to long periods without rain. It is common for these biomes to have a dry season and a wet season. Organisms that live in these regions need amazing abilities to survive the long dry season. For example, many plants have large, horizontal root systems so they can draw water from as large an area as possible.

The following link shows one of the most amazing animal adaptations on the planet.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3549823932640152011&q=lungfish&total=120&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Taiga

2008-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Today we learned about the Taiga biome, a large band of forest territory covering the northern part of the Earth. Because this biome is located so far North, the organisms that reside there need many adaptations to allow them to survive in extremely cold weather. A snowshoe hare, for example, has an interesting quality that helps it survive. What does it do and how does it survive?

For homework this week you will be completing a webquest. A webquest is a learning activity where students read, analyze, and synthesize information using the world wide web. This assignment is a shortened version of a typical webquest. I'm using this one to start us out. Enjoy.

Webquest Link

Oregon teacher's pitch

2008-01-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

Will forwarded this link to me. Thanks Will! It is a very interesting presentation about taking action against global warming. I encourage you to take a look and then to respond to what you see. I think he makes a very strong, compelling arguement which should be passed along to everyone, especially as I sit here with my windows wide open enjoying the 45 degree January weather.
However, you should also note that not everyone agrees with this perspective and the truth is the science behind global warming is incredibly complicated and in its infancy. You will need to make up your own minds about whether or not global warming exists. You do that by reading as much as you can and finding evidence for yourselves as to what the reality is.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/12/oregon_teacher_is_a_youtube_hi.html

Birds of Paradise

2008-01-08T09:27:00.000-05:00

The Tropical Rainforest is filled with animals and plants with many amazing adaptations. Some adaptations make sense and are logical. For example, as you all figured out in class, plants that are located in the understory have broad leaves in order to capture as much light as possible. Other adaptations that you will find are less obvious.

Homework:

View the following video and comment on the bird of paradise's unusual behavior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P85LoHftEKs

Tropical Rainforest Biome

2008-01-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

In today’s class, we discussed the tropical rain forest biome. We know that tropical rain forests are extremely rich communities, holding the most biodiversity of any terrestrial biome. In addition, they are instrumental in helping to regulate climate throughout the world and play a key role in the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles.
Question to ponder:
What is the reason for the great biodiversity in tropical rain forests?

Homework: Go to the following website:

Blue Planet Biomes

Pick one plant or animal and add a comment to this blog describing the organism and any adaptations it has that allows it to survive in the tropical rainforest.

Biome Study!

2008-01-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!

This week we are discussing the qualities that define a biome. A biome is defined as " a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities." In class, we talked about how biomes are often named after the type of vegetation found in that region, for example, "deciduous forest" or "grassland." It is interesting that, in any given biome, climate is the primary driving force, which in itself is driven by location on the planet. Location drives climate. Climate drives vegetation. Vegetation drives the animals.

Question to ponder:

In what ways have plants adapted to survive in their respective biome?

Example: What structures does this cactus have that allows it to survive in the desert?

EcoStudy Update

2007-12-17T14:07:00.000-05:00

The snowfall last week provided our class with a unique opportunity to observe any animals that might be using our ecoplots while we are not there. Each class went out to look for tracks in
the new fallen snow. Here is what we found:

Hickory Run Field Trip

2007-12-15T20:22:00.000-05:00

We studied the ecosystem at Hickory Run State Park.

Point of Interest

2007-12-11T22:08:00.000-05:00

There is tremendous complexity in the relationships that organisms have with each other. When the balance is disrupted it can throw off the health of the ecosystem. Taking out one key element can be detrimental to other aspects. Humans are impacting these relationships. These types of articles are coming out all the time these days.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/science/11obprey.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin

Upcoming Quiz

2007-12-11T21:39:00.000-05:00

Students are very busy studying for their upcoming test on Ecosystems. My tests can be challenging, so students were required to prepare study guides.

Here's what's on the test:
Part 1: Define
Ecosystem
Organisms
Species
Populations
Communities
Habitat
Photosynthesis
Producer
Consumer
Cellular Respiration
Trophic Level
Ecological Succession
Pioneer Species
Lichen
Climax Community

Part 2: Short Answer
How do biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem?
Who eats what? Carnivore, Omnivore, Herbivore, Decomposer.
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Draw and explain an energy pyramid.
Describe the conditions in a primary and secondary ecological succession.
What are two ecological benefits to controlled burns?
What is the exception to the rule “all organisms need the sun.”

Edible Cell Day

2007-11-09T22:03:00.000-05:00

This Thursday we celebrated Edible Cell day and the students brought in mostly delicous cell models. I was impressed by the level of detail attained by the use of fruit roll-ups and left over halloween candy.

Dan's Science Class

2007-11-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

Here are the edible cells!!