Blog Post #4: Black History and Science

As you know, February is Black History month. In honor of Black History month, we are going to take some time to learn about some scientific advances made by influential people in black history. Follow the links and answer the questions in your blog.

1. Choose a scientific discipline (biochemistry, biology, chemistry, etc.) and a scientist from that list. List the scientist and discipline that you chose. What was their contribution?

2. Inventions ?List 3 cool things invented by African-Americans and the respective inventor.

3. Checkout the 101 Fast Facts. List your favorite from the "Inventions and Discoveries" tab. Who did you choose? What did they invent/discover? Why is this significant? Also checkout the "Records Breaking," "Little Known," and "Firsts" when you are done.

Oceans Project and Articles

Today you will begin working on the Oceans Project.

Read 1 article from Group A and 1 article from Group B, then answer the questions that follow on a piece of paper.

Group A

• Exxon Said to Pay $4 Billion for Oil Field
• Lasers From Space Show Thinning of Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets

Group B

• The Road to an Alternative Energy Future (pay special attention to the "Algal Biofuels" section)
• Dolphins Health Sheds Light Shed Light on Human and Ocean Health

Article Questions:
1. What is the title of the article? Who is the author?
2. Who is the publisher? (Science Daily, New York Times, ESPN, etc.)
3. What are 3 things you learned?
4. What are 2 things you found interesting?
5. What is 1 question you still have?

Quiz

Click here for today's quiz.

Poll: How was today's quiz?

Blog Post #3

Check out this timeline of plate motion. The first map that you see is present day. Scroll down to Rodinia (750 million years ago). Each map as you go up is later on the timeline (see the numbers on the right side of the screen). Answer the following questions in your blog:

1. How were Rodinia and Pangaea similar and different from each other?
2. When did the tectonic plates appear to move the fastest? (biggest difference between two consecutive maps)
3. Look at Pangaea (250 million years ago). If the continents looked like Pangaea today, what would the world be like? Think about governments, sports teams and leagues, and other aspects of life.
4. Look at Pangaea. If you could pick any place in Pangaea to start a modern civilization, where would you pick? Why? (there is a key on the bottom of the page that explains what the little letters in the maps stand for. For example, "ar" means Arabia.)

Webquest and PT Textbook

Complete the Plate Tectonics Webquest on a sheet of paper.

Plate Tectonics Textbook
Today you will work with a partner to begin the Plate Tectonics Textbook. Your textbook will include four chapters. You will do this project using construction paper and printer paper. You may use the computer for research purposes only--not for the actual production of your textbook. The entire textbook is due Friday, February 19.

Roles
Illustrator
You will be responsible for doing the illustrations for each chapter, and writing Chapter One. Illustrations do not need to be professional-grade, but should be as detailed as possible. Use color!

Editor
You will be responsible for writing Chapter 2, 3, and 4. You will also edit every chapter. Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and completeness. Chapter Requirements Click here for the 4 Chapter Requirements. Here are some online resources that will help you with your research:

• Pangaea: All Lands
• Understanding Plate Motions
• Cracking the Ice Age
• Mid-Atlantic Ridge
• Other scientists that contributed (check the 2nd paragraph)
• Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker (everyone should view this)
• Alfred Wegener (skip the 1st paragraph...it's just a long quote)
• Other theories (check the 3rd paragraph)

Geologic Time Quiz

Click here for the Geologic Time Quiz!

CYO Crossword and Blog Post #2

CYO Crossword Puzzle

Today you are going to create your own crossword puzzle. You will use the same program that I use every week. Follow the directions below:

• Click here to get started.


• Begin by entering an appropriate title.


• For "Author's Name" write "Created by [insert name here]"


• Change the "color of square" to "grey"


• Change "Free Form (PDF only)" to "yes"


• Enter at least 15 terms with appropriate definitions or "clues"


• All of your terms can only be 1-word answers. For example, your answer cannot be "Cenozoic Era" because that is a 2-word answer. You may need to make a fill in the blank question such as "We live in the _____ Era."


• DO NOT USE THE ENTER KEY!! IT MAY ERASE ALL OF YOUR DATA, AND YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN!


• Your 15 terms should come from this list.

Blog Post #2

In yesterday's webquest I gave you a preview of our next extra credit question. Since it is such a hard question, questions #1 and 2 for today's blog have been designed to help you remember.



Answer the following questions in your blog:

1. List all of the geologic periods in order from oldest to present (Cambrian to Quaternary).

2. Come up with a mneumonic to help you remember the order. (example: My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas)

3. First watch this animation. Then put the rock layers in order from the image on the right.

Geologic Time Webquest

Click here for the Geologic Time Webquest.

Rocks Poll and Blog Post #1

Rocks Poll
If you are not able to vote on the poll using a cell phone, click here.

Blog Post #1
Read this article. There are a lot of ads on the page, just scroll down :)
After reading the article, answer the following questions in your blog:



1. How deep is the deepest mine in the world?
2. How deep would you have to dig to reach the mantle?
3. Let's pretend that you and your friends tried to dig a hole in your backyard to find a shortcut to China. The thing is, you guys had special suits that could withstand extreme temperatures, so you would not die. If you were somehow able to reach the mantle, what would it look like? What kinds of things would you see? How about the outer core? Inner core? What would it look like as you approached the surface (the crust) on the other side?

Blog Post #6

Answer the following questions in your blog:

1. What grade do you deserve for your 1st Quarter Blogs?
2. Why do you deserve this grade?
3. Which blog was your best? Why?

Quizstar and E-Quakes Webquest

Take the the 1st Quarter Test.

Complete the Earthquakes Webquest.