Saturday, December 11, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Lakes also feel global warming
As we all now, global warming has been affecting our planet for several decades, now. The temperature has been increasing everywhere on Earth. Some scientists have decided to measure yet another effect of global warming, and that is the heating up of the lakes around the globe.
Between the years of 1985 and 2009, scientists conducted an experiment, where special kinds of satellites measured the temperature of the surface of 167 lakes. Scientists discovered a schocking result. The lakes got warmer at the rate of 0.045 degrees Celsius per year. In some lakes, the hating up rate was as high as 0.10 degrees Celsius a year. Even though this might not seem like a very big number, it can be, because it can cause the algae in the lakes to start reproducing rapidly. A lot of algae can make the lake poisounous for the fish. Another fact that was discovered is that lakes get warmer faster in the northeren parts of the Northern Hemisphere. However, it was also found out that in the United States, the lakes in the south-western part, warmed more quickly, then the big lakes in the north. This is quite interesting, and also quite stressing, because you can't come up to a conclusion to where the lakes are warming faster.
Scientists also found out that in some regions, the lakes are getting warmere then the air around them. And, even though it is schocking, this can help scientists. How? Well, the scientists constantly take the air, and then measure it's temperature, to see how the global warming works, and to get a better idea of how the Earth is warming up. Now, that the scientists can also measure the temperature of the surfaces of lakes, that will help them get a clearer image of what we are doing to our planet. However, there are still people who are willing to help our planet, and that is why the United Nations Framework on climate Change, will be held this year from November 29 until December 10, in Cancun, Mexico. Representatices from different countries will come and discuss how the Kyoto Protocol has been doing. The Kyoto Protocol is a plan to help the Earth by making all the big polluters reduce the greenhouse effect, and the emmisions of CO2.
I think that it is good that they are having a conference about global warming, but that won't change anything. They need to go out there, and speak to people about it, and inform them on what they could do, to make even a slight difference. This is a problem on a planetary scale, and I find it really shocking that now, our lakes are getting affected, as well.
Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/67163/title/FOR_KIDS_Lakes%2C_too%2C_feel_global_warming
Author: Stephen Ornes
Date published: December 6th, 2010
Between the years of 1985 and 2009, scientists conducted an experiment, where special kinds of satellites measured the temperature of the surface of 167 lakes. Scientists discovered a schocking result. The lakes got warmer at the rate of 0.045 degrees Celsius per year. In some lakes, the hating up rate was as high as 0.10 degrees Celsius a year. Even though this might not seem like a very big number, it can be, because it can cause the algae in the lakes to start reproducing rapidly. A lot of algae can make the lake poisounous for the fish. Another fact that was discovered is that lakes get warmer faster in the northeren parts of the Northern Hemisphere. However, it was also found out that in the United States, the lakes in the south-western part, warmed more quickly, then the big lakes in the north. This is quite interesting, and also quite stressing, because you can't come up to a conclusion to where the lakes are warming faster.
Scientists also found out that in some regions, the lakes are getting warmere then the air around them. And, even though it is schocking, this can help scientists. How? Well, the scientists constantly take the air, and then measure it's temperature, to see how the global warming works, and to get a better idea of how the Earth is warming up. Now, that the scientists can also measure the temperature of the surfaces of lakes, that will help them get a clearer image of what we are doing to our planet. However, there are still people who are willing to help our planet, and that is why the United Nations Framework on climate Change, will be held this year from November 29 until December 10, in Cancun, Mexico. Representatices from different countries will come and discuss how the Kyoto Protocol has been doing. The Kyoto Protocol is a plan to help the Earth by making all the big polluters reduce the greenhouse effect, and the emmisions of CO2.
I think that it is good that they are having a conference about global warming, but that won't change anything. They need to go out there, and speak to people about it, and inform them on what they could do, to make even a slight difference. This is a problem on a planetary scale, and I find it really shocking that now, our lakes are getting affected, as well.
Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/67163/title/FOR_KIDS_Lakes%2C_too%2C_feel_global_warming
Author: Stephen Ornes
Date published: December 6th, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Ultimate Survival Unit reflection
1. Reflect on what has helped you in understanding the "big idea" of the unit. ( Big Idea: Students will understand the use and management of natural resources, the transformation of resources into human capital, goods, tools and machines as well as sustainable development of human society to maintain the delicate balance between man and the natural environment.) This has been a really fun unit for me, and when I look back at how much I knew at the beginning of the year, and how much I know now, it is just unbelievable. There are a lot of things that led to my better understanding of this unit. Firstly, there are the stories that Mrs. M read to us. They were the perfect start of the unit. They were short, and they told us in just a few minutes what we would be learning about, and what are animal adaptations, ecosystems, and biomes. I really liked the story about the little salamander, because it showed that there are a lot of factors in an ecosystem that we need to think about, and those include all the abiotic and biotic factors. Another thing that has helped me is the presentations we did as a group about different ecosystems. It showed me how ecosystems vary, and how different organisms have different adaptions to be able to survive in their ecosystem. I studied the ocean ecosystem, and I found it really fascinating. I can't believe that there are so much abiotic and biotic factors, and, even more, I haven't ever wondered how we affect the ocean, through our waste, and pollution. Another thing that has helped is Mr. Watts' visit. It showed me how animals in the Arctic live, as well as what resources are available to them, and how they fight the extremely harsh conditions to survive. Another part of the unit that has helped me was watching the movies. Some of the parts were really horrible and disgusting, but it just shows how we are treating our planet, and how we are not taking any care of it. If we want to keep our resources, we need to use them wisely, and extremely carefully, since nothing lasts forever. The movie that has helped we the most is "The Human Footprint", since it showed me how much we waste, by performing just daily tasks, and it also sparked some ideas to how I could reduce my footprint on the planet, and how I could be more eco-friendly. Through this unit I have learnt that every little bit helps.
2. Reflect on the unit question ( What is a necessity and how does an organism ensure survival of its species within its environment?) and how it relates to the unit title: Ultimate Survival.
In my opinion, a necessity is something an organism/living thing needs in order to survive in its habitat. To ensure their survival, different organisms have different adaptations, whether they are predators or prey, whether they are producers, primary, secondary or tertiary consumers. Every living thing has its own role in the environment, and every species in the ecosystem depends on one another. The different roles that organisms play are called niche.
As I said above, in order to survive, organisms need their adaptions. For, example, a camel can go a long time without water, since it stores it in its humps. This is really good, since it lives in a dry, warm desert biome. Bears and some other animals hibernate during the winter, so that they do not freeze to death.
However, there are other necessities an organism needs. There is oxygen. No living things are capable of surviving without oxygen. They need it for their bodies to function properly. Without oxygen, not one of the body organs would work. Another necessity is food and water. Food gives organisms energy, and without energy, living things wouldn't be able to do anything, since their brain wouldn't function properly. All living things also depend on sunlight, since that is where the producers get their energy from, and all food webs starts from the producers.
The unit question relates to the unit title a lot, since without necessities that living things need, they wouldn't be able to survive. Also, an organism fights for its survival, by hunting and adapting to its environment.
3. How did the unit question allow us to view survival through The Area of Interaction: Environments:(FOR EXAMPLE: The effects of one environment on another, the roles our environments play in the lives and well-being of humankind, and the effects of our actions, attitudes and constructs, such as sustainable development and conservation.)
We are the ones who are affecting the environment around us, and our planet, in our fight for survival. But, that is the thing. We have gone way too far. Is everything we use, and everything we consume and waste necessary for the survival of our species? In the last few decades, we have deforested tons and ons of trees, and have polluted massive amounts of our oceans and air. We have wasted lots of food, and we have wasted lots of precious resources such as coal and oil. We have also started mass productions of food. Soon enough, this could lead to going over the Earth's carrying capacity. We are affecting our environment negatively, more and more, every single day. Just take a look at our human footprints. I hardly doubt that anyone got one planet or less. If we don't start making smart choices now, and if we don't tace care of our planet. our survival could be at risk.
4.What would you have liked to do more of? Less of?
I think that we should have done a bit less current events, simply becasue we would have more time to concentrate on the unit itself, and the homework connected to what we are currently learning. Also, maybe we could have had a little more written projects and posters, instead of always writing up reflections and thoughts on the Internet. We could have also done a litte more activities, including labs, since I think that this was a really good unit to do experiments in. This is because there are a lot of factors you can analyse and a lot of things to research. I would have also liked if instead of commenting on the blog posts, people could discuss it in class. I think this, because that way, people wouldn't take some of the criticizm too badly, and, also the people who wanted to comment could say more, and show simple ways to improve our writing.
5. In your point of view, how well did we investigate the unit question, concept, and area of interaction? Include this in your reflection as well and give specific examples to support your opinions.
I really enjoyed this unit, and I believe that Mrs. M taught it really well. Everything was thouroughly explained, and we had something for everyone to do. Whoever was a visual learner could look at diagrams, and the movies we watched. If you learned through listening, you could listen to all the presentations that we did, and learn something new from every single presentation. If you are a person who learns through reading, you could have read over the notes we took in class, and the notes we took from reading the chapters in the textbook. And, if you are a person who learns through doing, we had two diffexrent labs (the closed ecosystem, and the owl pallets).
2. Reflect on the unit question ( What is a necessity and how does an organism ensure survival of its species within its environment?) and how it relates to the unit title: Ultimate Survival.
In my opinion, a necessity is something an organism/living thing needs in order to survive in its habitat. To ensure their survival, different organisms have different adaptations, whether they are predators or prey, whether they are producers, primary, secondary or tertiary consumers. Every living thing has its own role in the environment, and every species in the ecosystem depends on one another. The different roles that organisms play are called niche.
As I said above, in order to survive, organisms need their adaptions. For, example, a camel can go a long time without water, since it stores it in its humps. This is really good, since it lives in a dry, warm desert biome. Bears and some other animals hibernate during the winter, so that they do not freeze to death.
However, there are other necessities an organism needs. There is oxygen. No living things are capable of surviving without oxygen. They need it for their bodies to function properly. Without oxygen, not one of the body organs would work. Another necessity is food and water. Food gives organisms energy, and without energy, living things wouldn't be able to do anything, since their brain wouldn't function properly. All living things also depend on sunlight, since that is where the producers get their energy from, and all food webs starts from the producers.
The unit question relates to the unit title a lot, since without necessities that living things need, they wouldn't be able to survive. Also, an organism fights for its survival, by hunting and adapting to its environment.
3. How did the unit question allow us to view survival through The Area of Interaction: Environments:(FOR EXAMPLE: The effects of one environment on another, the roles our environments play in the lives and well-being of humankind, and the effects of our actions, attitudes and constructs, such as sustainable development and conservation.)
We are the ones who are affecting the environment around us, and our planet, in our fight for survival. But, that is the thing. We have gone way too far. Is everything we use, and everything we consume and waste necessary for the survival of our species? In the last few decades, we have deforested tons and ons of trees, and have polluted massive amounts of our oceans and air. We have wasted lots of food, and we have wasted lots of precious resources such as coal and oil. We have also started mass productions of food. Soon enough, this could lead to going over the Earth's carrying capacity. We are affecting our environment negatively, more and more, every single day. Just take a look at our human footprints. I hardly doubt that anyone got one planet or less. If we don't start making smart choices now, and if we don't tace care of our planet. our survival could be at risk.
4.What would you have liked to do more of? Less of?
I think that we should have done a bit less current events, simply becasue we would have more time to concentrate on the unit itself, and the homework connected to what we are currently learning. Also, maybe we could have had a little more written projects and posters, instead of always writing up reflections and thoughts on the Internet. We could have also done a litte more activities, including labs, since I think that this was a really good unit to do experiments in. This is because there are a lot of factors you can analyse and a lot of things to research. I would have also liked if instead of commenting on the blog posts, people could discuss it in class. I think this, because that way, people wouldn't take some of the criticizm too badly, and, also the people who wanted to comment could say more, and show simple ways to improve our writing.
5. In your point of view, how well did we investigate the unit question, concept, and area of interaction? Include this in your reflection as well and give specific examples to support your opinions.
I really enjoyed this unit, and I believe that Mrs. M taught it really well. Everything was thouroughly explained, and we had something for everyone to do. Whoever was a visual learner could look at diagrams, and the movies we watched. If you learned through listening, you could listen to all the presentations that we did, and learn something new from every single presentation. If you are a person who learns through reading, you could have read over the notes we took in class, and the notes we took from reading the chapters in the textbook. And, if you are a person who learns through doing, we had two diffexrent labs (the closed ecosystem, and the owl pallets).
Owl prey analysis
1. Based upon the class data, rank the most frequently consumed prey for the class "owl population".The prey that the owl population feeds the most on is rat. This is followed by vole, and mouse. Then, it is birds, and finnaly shrew. The owl population doesn't consume insects.
2.A predator expends energy when hunting for food. Which is the more "energy expensive" cuisine, 35 insects at 1 g each or one 35 g vole?
For the owl, it would be the most energy efficient if it caught the vole. This is because to catch 35 insects, the owl would waste even more energy, then it would gain by eating them. As for the vole, it is just one organism, and it can be caught much more easily and much more simply then 35 organisms. I guess this is why you cannot find many insects in the owl's diet.
3.Based upon your data, suppose the shrew population seriously declined. Would it affect the areas owl population?
Personally, I think that nothing would drastically change for the owl population, as the shrew population is not their primary source of food. The owls would still have the mice, the birds, the voles, rats, and other animals to eat. The shrew declining could have an affect on THEIR prey, but I don't think it would have much harm to the owls themselves, even though the ecosystem would be disrupted.
4.Try to define the food-getting “strategy” for a predator.
Different animals have different hunting strategies, depending on their adaptations, and depending on which ecosystem they live in. Some predators have claws, which enable them to kill their prey. Others are extremely fast, and that is what enables them to cath their prey. Other animals have very good eye-sight, and can spot their prey really easily.
Overall, I really loved this investigation and I have learned a lot. Disecting was a relatively new thing to me, and I have gained much knowledge while analysing and studying the owl prey.
Indoor ozone stopper
There is a certain chemical on our Earth, called the ozone. This chemical can be both beneficial, and dangerous for the human race. It all depends on where it is located. If it is high up in the Earth's atmosphere, it is not harmful, since it protects us from the some of the really bad radiation that comes from the sun. However, when ozone is very close to us, it can be harmful, since it irritates our lungs. However, studies have shown that we do have a layer of protection against this kind of air pollution, and that is - our skin. Our skin has a lot of oils. When you mix the molecules of ozone, and the molecules of the oil of the skin, you get a chemical reaction. Ozone and oxygen are kinf of the same, but have their differences. Oxygen has molecules, and each molecule contains two atoms. Ozone has another extra atom, and that is why it behaves differently from typical oxygen. Ozone is poisonous, as well as protective and beneficial.
Scientists conducted an experiment, where they took the dust from rooms of 500 children. They found materials such as phtlate, and large amounts of cholesterol and squalene. Squalene is that fat on the skin, and it makes up 10% of it. The skin grows another layer every couple of weeks, and the bits of the old layer, fall off, and vecome dust.
The squalene covers everything, so all surfaces in the house can break the ozone as fast as skin can. This can prevent a lot of lung infections and diseases.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100414/Note2.asp
By: Stephen Ornes
Date published: April 14, 2010
Scientists conducted an experiment, where they took the dust from rooms of 500 children. They found materials such as phtlate, and large amounts of cholesterol and squalene. Squalene is that fat on the skin, and it makes up 10% of it. The skin grows another layer every couple of weeks, and the bits of the old layer, fall off, and vecome dust.
The squalene covers everything, so all surfaces in the house can break the ozone as fast as skin can. This can prevent a lot of lung infections and diseases.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100414/Note2.asp
By: Stephen Ornes
Date published: April 14, 2010
Island of Hope (report on an island in Fiji, called Kiobo)
Our world is suffering from global warming, and all the pollution of the rainforests, oceans, and air, all of which we need in order to survive. And, it is fascinating when you read about people who actually care about saving our planet, and who know about the disaster that is facing us, if we do not change our habits. It is fascinating to read about people who are trying to stop it.
On an island called Kiobo, in Fiji, people live like their ancestors lived many years ago. The reporter that went there writes how, while her family feasts on turkey, the Kiobo citizens drink coconut milk. There is no running water, hardly any power lines and electricity. There are no TVs, computers or video games. The clothes that are worn are completely hand-made, by the people wearing them. The food that the villagers eat are all locally grown. They eat the coconuts they grow, and the fish and lobsters that they catch from the ocean. Almost everything in this village is from the ocean. It is necessary for the people's survival. However, living from the ocean surrounding their island, has become very difficult for the people of Kiobo, especially in the past few years. Pollution and climate change is affecting Kiobo more then ever. Huge ships are scooping up tuna, lobsters, and clams in huge amounts every single day. The marine animals cannot multiply as fast as they're being killed. However, Kiobo people think that they could solve this problem.A region on the isalnd, called Kubalau, is trying to protect and take care of both life underwater, as well as the cultures above the water, or, on ground.
The people are trying to lure more tourists to visit the ocean, but taking care of them, and making sure that they do not polute it. With the money that they earn, the villagers will protect the underwater environment, their culture, and all the marine animals. Marine biologists are calling Fiji the "the beacon to the world". Next, the people of Kiobo and the Coral Reef Alliance took the reporter to a national park, called the Namena. This national park is underwater, and just like any other national parks, it has its rules and limitations. The national park doesn't allow huge boats to catch fish, even though the locals can catch fish and other marine animals here, since they do not fish out of greed, but because they need it for their survival. People in Kiobo respect the fish, and they do not hunt them in large quantities. The Kiobo people own the ocean around them, as part of their fishing grounds, that have been in their tradition and culture for centuries, and which are called Qoliqoli. The coral reef alliance will make sure that people who come to Kiobo respect the fishing grounds, and that they will treat the land and water the way the environment can handle. Kiobo people are also teaching their children how to respect the land and water around them, as well as know what makes their culture distinct. Also, they are training fish wardens, who try and prevent poachers from fishing illegally.
Some of the species that live in the ocean surrounding the Kiobo, are reef sharks, barracuda, hammerhead sharks, hawksbill turtles, corals, and many more.
My opinion of those people is that they're absolutely amazing. They are kind. and are trying to help the nature, even though they are not extremely rich. The fact that they're giving away most of the money that they earn to save the ocean, is absolutely astounding to me. I wish that in this world there are more like them, who are willing to help out planet, in any way possible.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100203/Feature1.asp
By: Emily Sohn
Date published: February 3, 2010
On an island called Kiobo, in Fiji, people live like their ancestors lived many years ago. The reporter that went there writes how, while her family feasts on turkey, the Kiobo citizens drink coconut milk. There is no running water, hardly any power lines and electricity. There are no TVs, computers or video games. The clothes that are worn are completely hand-made, by the people wearing them. The food that the villagers eat are all locally grown. They eat the coconuts they grow, and the fish and lobsters that they catch from the ocean. Almost everything in this village is from the ocean. It is necessary for the people's survival. However, living from the ocean surrounding their island, has become very difficult for the people of Kiobo, especially in the past few years. Pollution and climate change is affecting Kiobo more then ever. Huge ships are scooping up tuna, lobsters, and clams in huge amounts every single day. The marine animals cannot multiply as fast as they're being killed. However, Kiobo people think that they could solve this problem.A region on the isalnd, called Kubalau, is trying to protect and take care of both life underwater, as well as the cultures above the water, or, on ground.
The people are trying to lure more tourists to visit the ocean, but taking care of them, and making sure that they do not polute it. With the money that they earn, the villagers will protect the underwater environment, their culture, and all the marine animals. Marine biologists are calling Fiji the "the beacon to the world". Next, the people of Kiobo and the Coral Reef Alliance took the reporter to a national park, called the Namena. This national park is underwater, and just like any other national parks, it has its rules and limitations. The national park doesn't allow huge boats to catch fish, even though the locals can catch fish and other marine animals here, since they do not fish out of greed, but because they need it for their survival. People in Kiobo respect the fish, and they do not hunt them in large quantities. The Kiobo people own the ocean around them, as part of their fishing grounds, that have been in their tradition and culture for centuries, and which are called Qoliqoli. The coral reef alliance will make sure that people who come to Kiobo respect the fishing grounds, and that they will treat the land and water the way the environment can handle. Kiobo people are also teaching their children how to respect the land and water around them, as well as know what makes their culture distinct. Also, they are training fish wardens, who try and prevent poachers from fishing illegally.
Some of the species that live in the ocean surrounding the Kiobo, are reef sharks, barracuda, hammerhead sharks, hawksbill turtles, corals, and many more.
My opinion of those people is that they're absolutely amazing. They are kind. and are trying to help the nature, even though they are not extremely rich. The fact that they're giving away most of the money that they earn to save the ocean, is absolutely astounding to me. I wish that in this world there are more like them, who are willing to help out planet, in any way possible.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100203/Feature1.asp
By: Emily Sohn
Date published: February 3, 2010
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