Weekly Blog 09/14-09/18 - Plate Tectonics

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Earth-cutaway-schematic-english.svg/2000px-Earth-cutaway-schematic-english.svg.png

Summary

The earth is made up of several layers. The crust, mantle, and inner and outer core. There is also another way to identify the earth's layers; there is the lithosphere(crust and upper mantle), asthenosphere(part of mantle right after lithosphere), mesosphere(the rest of the mantle), and the inner and outer core. The lithosphere is actually plate tectonics which float on top of the asthenosphere. All plates have boundaries (or edges). There are three types of ways boundaries move. Ther ear transformed (when they spread apart), convergent (when they go in and hit each other), and transformed boundaries (when they slip past each other). When they boundaries move or hit each other it causes earthquakes.

SP2: Developing and using models

This week I developed models by making stacks using clay. In our groups we had to create stacks of "pancakes" and "pebbles". We take one 3 flat oval of clay and stacked them on top of each other with small balls of clay in between each layer. First we constructed one in 3 minutes. We then found out we needed and more efficient way to build it since we couldn't finish in 3 minutes. Then we built it in 5 and 7 minutes but with more pebbles in each layer. Later on, we used the models that we developed by having them get cut in half and placing popsicle sticks to model as a fence going the opposite way of the cut (which represented a fault line). This showed us how when on side of the fault moves, the fence would move with it instead of breaking or collapsing or something.

Weekly Blog- Rock Cycle 09/07-09/11

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Summary

The rock cycle the cycle of how rocks turn into different kinds of rocks. There are three kinds of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. One thing that is different about the rock cycle is that it's not really a cycle (like the water cycle for example that repeats in a circle in a certain order), it is more like a rock web. A sedimentary rock has several layers. Over time, different sediments layer over each other and become 1 type of rock. An igneous rock is actually just cooled and solidified magma or lava. A rock turns into a metamorphic rock with pressure. Now, back to the web concept. The reason why the rock cycle is like a web is because there is no specified order. Any kind of rock and turn into any kind of rock by any many ways. That's why it's more like a web than a cycle.

SP2: Developing and Using Models 

 This week we developed models of the rock cycle and a volcano (which we will use later when they are finished).We created a rock cycle cartoon. First, we rolled different dices and recorded some data. Then we used that data to create and develop rock cycle cartoons. We also developed and created paper mache volcano models. First, we used a paper template which we cut, then we wrapped it around a (PVC? I think?) pipe. We next covered the whole model with wet sticky newspaper coated in glue. 

Scientific Method Cartoon Project Blog 9/6-9/11

Summary

The project we did this week is called the scientific method cartoon. In this project we had to draw and comic/cartoon that demonstrates the steps of the scientific method. Observation, question, hypothesis, gathering data, experimenting, analyzing data, the conclusion, and communicating. First we wrote a draft of our cartoon, then we drew the final copy. We also had to take a picture and turn it in digitally.

Backwards

In what ways do you think you need to improve?

I think that I could improve several ways. One way is to work more efficiently and faster. I had to bring the work home on the last day to finish it up. I had to skip my Martial Arts to finish all my work for the day. Another thing that I want to change is to ALWAYS go over all the requirements after I am finished. In this project I also forgot to add the draft to the final copy. I left my draft at home even though I was supposed to turn it in.

Inward

How do you feel about this piece of work? What parts of it do you particularly like? Dislike? Why? What did/do you enjoy about this piece or work?

I was very happy with my work. I particularly liked my drawings and how I took the time to draw and color my pictures neatly and nicely because the final draft turned out really nice. One thing I disliked was how I was working really slow until the last minute because in the end I had to rush to get things done resulting in me forgetting to bring my draft.My favorite thing about doing this project was that I got to be creative in my cartoon. For example, my question was are rainbows magic.

Outward

What grade would you give it? Why? 

If this was worth 10 points I would give it a 8/10. This is because I forgot to attach my draft to the back of my cartoon. The reason why I only docked off 2 points was because the draft is not as important as the final copy. I think that my final copy itself is very good and detailed. I also think that it follows all the requirements other than the draft.

Forward

What's one goal you would like to set for yourself for next time?
Next time I want to do my work quick and get everything done on time or with time to spare. This way I will have more time to go over my work and make adjustments so I can make sure it is good. I think this is a good goal because it assures that my project will be turned in on time. Also, I won't have to worry about staying up late working on my project after school.

Paper Airplane Experiment 8/31-9/4

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Glybbs_Paper_Plane.jpg

Summary

When you conduct an experiment you need to make sure all your variables are correct and how they should be to assure the fairness of your test. For example, if you do a test about which type of paper makes the paper airplane fly the furthest, then you need to make sure all the airplanes are thrown the same way. If your first airplane was thrown weak, then you need to re-throw the airplane or throw all the airplanes weak. Also, you need to make sure there is the same amount of wind blowing when you throw. This is what my group found out during our paper airplane experiment.

S&EP: SP6: Constructing explanations and designing solutions:

We constructed explanations and designed solutions by conducting and designing our own experiment.

First we had to think of a question with our group.  Our question was which type of paper makes the paper airplane fly the furthest. Next we had to design and find a way to answer our solution (write our procedure). After we conducted the experiment. We had to do lots of things to make sure the test was fair like cutting he paper to all the same sizes. After we did the experiment, we had to construct our explanations and write/ draw our findings in a conclusion, graph, and data table. After that we wrote our report, put the papers on a poster and finished!