Earth and Environmental Blog Week 11

Monday or November 9, 2015 C.E.:

Today we took notes on Unit 4 Section 5. We learned about Earthquakes. We discussed the Richter Scale, and how it is a measure of an Earthquake's magnitude. We also talked about P-waves, S-waves, and surface waves. After this we started a new lab for Earthquakes. In it we have to design a building out of thirty toothpicks and thirty marshmallows. It was really cool. Our structure was a heptagon with a central core. It had double toothpick going from the core and all the marshmallows were interconnected. The only problem is the tension on the marshmallows that keeps the structure together. The marshmallows cannot fail!

Tuesday or November 10, 2015 C.E.:

Today our teacher had two trays of jello ready at the beginning of class. Each group laid their building in the jello tray for a couple seconds. The buildings were then tested. Two of my classmates then violently shook the tray to recreate an humongous earthquake. It was quite amusing to see peoples' hard work thoroughly rattled. Our design did not win, but it did well. After we created a new design to improve. It resembled a turtle, so we called it the turtle. The only problem with it is that it kept tipping over because its head made it too unstable, but that made it all the funnier.

Our design being shaken.

Wednesday or November 11, 2015 C.E.:

Today we had no school. Veterans Day!

Thursday or November 12, 2015 C.E.:

Today we reviewed for our upcoming test. We played my favorite review game. In this review game there are 20 questions of 5 points each. Mrs. Giacomelli shows us a slide of the question and we wrote the answer down on our paper. We work in small groups of three or four. We got 17 out of 20 of these correct. One of the answers we got wrong were because I didn't listen to one of my team mates, so I need to work on that. Then, there are 5 bonus questions of 1 point each. We got every one right. At the end there was a final question where we wagered 5 points. We got it correct. In the end we won the competition with 96 points! Not only was it fun, but it really helped me review for the test tomorrow.

Friday or November 13, 2015 C.E.:

 I took the Unit 4 Test today. It is about all the types of tectonic plate boundaries including the kinds of convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, and transform boundaries. It also covers seismic waves, scales, and seismic activity in general. We also need to know a lot about mid-ocean ridges, how they drive Plate Tectonics and how they form new oceanic Lithosphere. We are even assessed on the last section concerning Volcanoes. I think the review from yesterday and the notes really helped me and I will do great on it.
Summary: This week was a good week. I finished my blog quite quickly and very early. I aced my test (yay!) and performed well in the review game. I need to improve my overall grade though. I plan to do this by making sure all labs are done well, and continuing to excel.

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 10

Monday or November 2, 2015 C.E.:

This week started out with a really fun game. We divided into two teams. We then drew targets of all sizes on the White Board. The bigger targets had smaller numbers than the small ones. Our teacher Mrs. Giacomelli then asked us multiple questions each and if we got them right, we would use her Nerf Gun to shoot at the targets. The number on the target determined the score won by your team. Although we lost, it was still quite fun. We kept missing problems related with sea-floor spreading, so I will have to study that for tomorrow's quiz.

Tuesday or November 3, 2015 C.E.:

Today we took our Unit 4 quiz. It covered divergent and convergent plate boundaries, and what they do. It also covered plate tectonics, and their driving forces. These driving forces include slab pull and ridge push. We were also quizzed about mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones. I think I will do excellent on this quiz both because I studied and multiple questions were on previous tests. I have also already mastered the vocabulary which will be a huge help for the outcome of this quiz.

Wednesday or November 4, 2015 C.E.:

I am really excited! We got back our quizzes and reviewed them today, and I got a 100%! This is really good for my currently horrendous Science Grade. After reviewing our quiz we did some post-quiz vocabulary. I did six vocabulary cards of eight. We will be learning a bit about Earthquakes in the next couple sections. I also learned more about transform boundaries (tectonic boundaries where tectonic plates move along eachother) and measurements for Earthquakes.

Thursday or November 5, 2015 C.E.:

Today we had a really fun lab. It was a tectonic plate boundaries lab. We created the asthenosphere with frosting which we put on a piece of wax paper. The oceanic crust was made up of fruit rollup pieces. The continental crust is made up of graham crackers. We then simulated them crashing into each other and documented what happened. We drew cross-section diagrams of the plates crashing into eachother. It was cool how it all fit in with what we have learned.  At the end, some of us ate the results. It was really fun.

Friday or November 6, 2015 C.E.:

Today we did our reflection questions for the tectonic plate boundaries lab.We wrote about the geologic features associated with each type of boundary. We then did a little bit of notes on rift valleys and ocean trenches. We discussed volcanic archs. After this we talked about how plate tectonics have influenced the world. They have influenced the climate, weather, and biodiversity. It was really interesting.
Summary: This week was a fun week. The lab was really funny, yet really interesting. We had a good time. I need to remember to do my blog the day of every time to make sure it is of better quality.
 

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 9

Monday or October 26, 2015 C.E.:

 Today we finished our Plate Tectonics. We did three stations. One was about the origin of the theory of plate tectonics. A German scientist by the name of Alfred Wegener developed it through out early 20th century. He observed the similarities in the mountain ranges the Scotland Highlands and the Appalachian. He also noticed similar composition of rocks on both sides of the Atlantic as well as the fossils inside them. I really liked these stations and I learned a lot. I liked learning a bit about the origin of the theory instead of just hearing about what it means all the time.

Tuesday or October 27, 2015 C.E.:

Today we took notes on Unit 4 Section 3. It talks about the reasons Tectonic Plates move. We learned how Sea-floor spreading happens in oceans when magma rushes out a mid-ocean ridges. This forms new oceanic lithosphere. It also causes two processes that make continents move. They are ridge-push and slab pull. Ridge-push happens when magma slides down from a mid-ocean ridge. Slab-pull happens when oceanic lithosphere sinks in subduction zones. We also started a new activity about the proof behind Pangaea. We cut out the different continents and looked at the similar land forms they share to assemble the supercontinent.

Wednesday or October 28, 2015 C.E.:

Today we finished assembling Pangaea. It was cool how everything fit perfectly. We created it based on Glacial scratches, rock types, mountain ranges, and fossils. Our teacher also created a fun Tectonic Plates demonstration. She put a big bowl of milk on a hot plate and sprinkled Hot Chocolate powder on the milk. As the milk heated, cracks formed. We then watched the tectonic plates. We also finished assembling our paper Pangaea. It was cool how they all fit together.

Thursday or October 29, 2015 C.E.: 

Today we finished the Pangaea reflection questions. We talked about all the different evidence that supports the existence of Pangaea. We also talked about the evidence behind Continental Drift.We talked about how we use GPS to track the movement of the continents. It was very interesting.
Summary: This week was very interesting. We learned about tectonic plates and other fun stuff. I still need to remember to do my blog right after class.
talked about evidence and cause behind continental drift 

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 8

Monday or October 19, 2015 C.E.:

 No school today!

Tuesday or October 20, 2015 C.E.:

Today we started to wrap up our Sustainable Ecosystems/Eco bottle lab. We took our second to last measurements, and applied the treatment for the last time ever. We went over test and I got 98%. This result is much better than my previous one because I studied. Again it has proven useful to prepare for big test such as this. After this we previewed the next unit. The next unit will be about Tectonic Plates. We talked about the reason the plates move, and what they are.

Wednesday or October 21, 2015 C.E.:

 This is the last day of the Sustainable Ecosystems lab! We collected our last data. On average the controls grew better than the Iron bottles. The difference is only slight on paper, but if you see, the difference is evident. Many more of the control plants germinated compared to the Iron plants. One of the Iron bottles had one or two blades of grass, while a control had more than 20. We also further previewed our upcoming unit.

Thursday or October 22, 2015 C.E.:
Today we completed some vocab cards about our new unit. We also peered reviewed our labs to make sure they are good. After this we started notes on the new Unit 4. We covered the first section. It talked about Earth's oceanic and continental crust. The continental crust is thicker than the oceanic crust, but the oceanic crust is denser. We then also reviewed the characteristics of the mantle, mostly the asthenosphere, and we talked about the core.

Friday or October 23, 2015 C.E.:

Today we completed some more vocab cards related to tectonic plates. We then learned about the second section of the unit. It covers the Continental Drift Hypothesis and continental drift in general. We learned about the reasons why continents could be moving and why. After this we did stations in groups. The stations had all kinds of information of Tectonic Plates in them. We had to list evidence about why Continental Drift Hypothesis is plausible in one station.

Summary: This week was a good week where we learned a lot. I still need to stay focused and make sure I finish my blog in time. I will achieve this by expecting technical difficulties while budgeting my time.

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 7

Monday or October 12, 2015 C.E.: 

Today our grass seeds germinated. Two controls germinated and one iron germinated. The control grasses both grew higher than the Iron bottle. We also conducted a quick experiment in which someone in our group blew bubbles using a straw in a solution. We called it the Carbon Breath Test. The solution consisted of a pH indicator called Bromothymol Blue. As someone in the group blew into the solution, the Carbon Dioxide in their breath formed an acid, which I think was Carbolic acid. After blowing into the solution for a couple minutes, the pH indicator changed from blue to green, and eventually yellow.

Tuesday or October 13, 2015 C.E.: 

The plants that have survived are growing considerably. The second Iron bottle has germinated, and the two controls are getting bigger than ever. We also started a new lab called the Carbon Cycle Lab. This lab will be similar to the Carbon Breath Test, but we will be adding an aquatic plant. We will be putting an aquatic plant in similar solutions that have and haven't been blown into. We will also put them in the light and dark closet. We will see how the plants' environments affect what chemical processes the plants will undergo. The plants may change the Carbolic acid present, and thus color of the Brymothymol Blue.

Wednesday or October 14, 2015 C.E.: 

We saw the results of the Carbon Cycle Lab today. I thought it was really cool. We saw how the plants in the dark environment only underwent Cellular Respiration, which adds Carbon Dioxide to the environment. As a result of this, all of the Dark plants' containers had green (acidic) solution in them. The light plants were able to undergo Photosynthesis, which takes Carbon Dioxide from the environment. This made the solution more blue, as the plant caused it to become neutral or basic. After this, we started an excel graph for the growth data of our plants in the bottle graph.  

Thursday or October 15, 2015 C.E.: 

Today we reviewed for our Unit 3 test tomorrow. We split up into partners and I was with Ben. We took sheets of questions that could be on the tests. Each sheet had six questions on it. We then wrote those answers on a paper, and checked them with Mrs.Giacomelli. We also collected additional data for our plants. In the end of the class period we also did a brain dump. We were in groups and wrote everything we knew about the unit on a large piece of paper. I wrote about available renewable resources.

The Unit 3 Brain Dump!

Friday or October 16, 2015 C.E.: 

Today we took our Unit 3 Earth Systems test. I reviewed in class and at home really well, and I am pretty confident that I did well on it. It had questions from the entire unit including questions about the spheres of the Earth and the cycles. There were also plenty of Renewable and Nonrenewable energy sources questions, as well as some vocabulary. The test was a great end to the week.
Summary: This week was a really fun week. The labs we did were really interesting, and the reviewing in class was really productive. I need to remain more focused while doing homework, but I have made good progress.

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 6

Monday or October 5, 2015 C.E.:

No school today!

Tuesday or October 6, 2015  C.E.:

Sadly, the Cadmium has not arrived yet. Ben and I have decided, just to plant the grass seeds anyway, and make the two bottles intended for cadmium, controls. We sprinkled a pinch of seeds, into each bottle, and then put a small layer of topsoil on top of them. I then gave each bottle 5 squirts of liquid from a water sprayer. I also added a pinch of Iron powder to the two Iron bottles. It sure is a shame the cadmium hasn't arrived yet.

Wednesday or October 7, 2015 C.E.:

Today we took our quiz for the first 2 section of this Unit. This means it includes Human's effect on the world, all the different energy sources, and Earth's spheres. I made the mistake, not to study, so I hope my grade will not be too bad. Usually, we have a word bank for the vocabulary section, and I am not sure if I used the right word on two. On one of the questions, I put bio matter, but the answer may have been biomass. 

Thursday or October 8, 2015 C.E.:

Today we reviewed the quiz. I unfortunately got a B on it. It is not too bad, though because I have gotten As consistently this school-year, and it will thus not significantly affect my grade. One of the questions I got wrong was the biomass question, I mentioned yesterday. I overthought another, and didn't fully answer yet another. Next time, I need to spend more time studying, and I need to spend more time taking my test. I rushed through the test and I was overconfident. I should always check through the entire thing, before handing it in, but I only scratched the surface of my usual checking process. 

Friday or October 9, 2015 C.E.:

Today our teacher Mrs. Giacomelli, told us to do something, unexpected. We had to take seeds out from salt-water marsh grasses. In this unit, we will be taking thousands of seeds, raising them, and later reintroducing them into the marsh, to build back up the wetlands. We each took a stalk, and huddled over a bowl, and put in the seeds. I thought it would be like talking the seeds off barley or wheat, but it doesn't come off that easily. We had to pluck every seed off manually. Our grass has not germinated yet. I am glad we didn't wait for the Cadmium, because it has not even come yet.

Summary: This week was a very educational week. I was reminded to study and check over my work more, without destroying my grade, as the quiz wasn't many points. I need to make sure I don't rush.

Earth and Environmental Blog Week 5

Monday or September 28, 2015 C.E.:

Today we started a new Unit on Earth Systems. We were introduced into Section 1: Human Activity & Earth's Systems. We talked about the explosion of Human population, and the outcome of the Industrial Revolution. We discussed the countless instances where natural resources have been used to create new things, that seem to look nothing like the raw material. One of these instances is how oil is made into a wide variety of plastics. We also talked about our impact on the Earth.

Tuesday or September 29, 2015 C.E.:

We started a new lab today, to go with our new Unit. It is called the Sustainable Ecosystems lab. In this lab we will be growing Rye grass in bottles. I am working with Ben Testori, and we will be exposing our plants to Heavy Metals. Mrs. Giacomelli, our teacher, only has Iron powder, so I decided to buy some Cadmium from unitednuclear.com. After this, we learn more about our current Unit. We talked about what fossil fuels are and why they are harmful to the environment. Today was quite fun, especially because it is always interesting to be introduced to a new unit.

Wednesday or September 30, 2015 C.E.:

 Now that I have ordered the Cadmium, the first problems start to dawn. I notice that the Cadmium that I ordered has not specific shipping date. I am expecting that it will come on Saturday, but there is no guarantee. I also learn that Cadmium is very harmful when inhaled. Normally this would not be a problem, but I am grinding it down into a powder. This will cause particles to get into the air. This means I need a respirator. I do a bunch of research on the hazards of Cadmium, until I know what kind to get. I need a N-100 rated filter for "toxic metals such as Cadmium or Lead" *ouch*. This filter is of such high quality that it can filter a minimum of 99.97% of airborne particles. I do some additional research to find the right model and its cost. I also need latex gloves. For additional safety I need to shower and wash my clothes after immediately after grinding down Cadmium, for increased safety. Today we also learned more about the unit. We discussed the pros and cons of nuclear energy, biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectricity and geothermal energy. I was shocked at how negatively my classmates were inclined towards hydroelectricity, compared to nuclear energy. Personally, I despise Nuclear Energy more than any other source of energy that we have available, except for coal and oil, and thus I would pick hydroelectric over nuclear any day. Yes, hydroelectric dams are harmful, but if they have a fall height of less than 15 meters, they cannot be too harmful, or at least not as harmful as the nuclear waste that stays radioactive for at least 25,000 years. I think the dams on the Danube river are acceptable, and are not too harmful. Many have systems in place to help fish migrate.

A Danube River dam with a fall height of 10.6 meters

Thursday or October 1, 2015 C.E.:

Today we talked about the Earth's spheres, their composition, and how they are interlinked with each other. The geosphere is the inner portion of the Earth. It contains the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth. The cryosphere is the frozen water of Earth, and the Hydrosphere is all the water on Earth including frozen water. The biosphere consists of all the living matter on Earth. It spans from 11km beneath sea level, to 9km up into the atmosphere. We also talked about the atmosphere's composition. After this, Ben and I perfected our lab procedures and similar things to prepare for the planting of our seeds.

Friday or October 2, 2015 C.E.:

We were supposed to plant our seeds for the lab today, but the Cadmium has not arrived yet. I really hope that it comes soon. In class we finished all the preparations for the results table and all things digitally. We have finished our bottles, prepared our soil, and I even made labels. Now all we need is the Cadmium.
Summary: This week was fun. We were introduced to a new Unit which is always interesting.  I have improved my efficiency while working, but I think I can still decrease the time in which I write my blog.