Weekly Blog 5/27/18 - Tu Youyou

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2015/tu_postcard.jpg

Summary

Tu Youyou is an accomplished Chinese pharmaceutical chemist as well as educator. She was born on December 30, 1930 in Ningbo, China and is currently 87 years old. Also, she has won many awards including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015 and is best known for discovering artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin which she found could be used for treating malaria. Tu Youyou primarily conducted her research at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (Beijing, China) and went to the Peking University Medical School and Beijing Medical College. Tu Youyou has saved millions of lives with her scientific research and findings.

SP8: Communicating Information

I communicated information when I created a scientist wanted poster on Tu Youyou and shared my findings in a flipgrid to the class.  In the flipgrid I summarized what I researched in a video and shared the link to my poster so my classmates can learn more about my scientist if they want. In addition to that, I commented on another students post about their scientist starting a discussion on the information they presented. 

XCC: Cause and Effect

While researching about my scientist I noticed many different examples of cause and effect relationships. For example, by focusing on combining traditional Chinese medicine with new information and technology, she was able to discover artemisinin. This cause had many effects including the saving of millions of lives and the winning of the Nobel Prize for Tu Youyou.

Weekly Blog 5/20/2018 - solar systems

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Summary

Our solar system lies within a galaxy called the Milky Way which contains billions of other stars. planets, and solar systems. In addition to that, our galaxy is only one out of hundreds of billions of other galaxies in the universe. There are three different kinds of galaxies. Spiral (like our Milky Way), Elliptical, and Irregular. The universe is an absurdly huge place. In order to measure things in space, we use a distance called light years. Light years are equal to how far light would travel in a year, roughly 6 trillion miles. Another unit of measurement astronomers use is AU or astronomical units. Astronomical units are used to measure distances within a solar system and are about the distance between the Earth and the Sun.

SP4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data

I analyzed and interpreted data when I read articles and watched videos to gather information on solar systems, galaxies, and more. By watching the videos, I gathered information which I then used to answer questions and fill out charts and tables on Formative. Finally, I completed a Mastery quest using all of the data and information I previously analyzed and gathered. 

XCC: Cause and Effect

In space, there are many examples of cause and effect. One example is with our sun. When a solar flare occurs, particles from the sun are ejected into space. When conditions are right and the particles hit Earth and interact with the atmosphere and magnetic fields by being funneled near the poles, they can cause the air to glow creating the aurora. In addition to this, as the particles interact they can generate massive amounts of electricity in the Earth's crust which can cause overloads in the power grid and blackouts. Nuclear fusion and solar flares in the sun can have big effects on other planets like the Earth. 

Weekly Blog 5/13/18 - Natural Disasters and Stress

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Summary

Chronic stress is having stress for a long period of time. Things that cause chronic stress are overworking or commonly fighting with another person. Some of the feelings associated with stress are loneliness, isolation, and anxiety. When you are stressed a hormone called cortisol is released. Exposure to cortisol for a long period of time can shrink your hippo campus (a part of your brain). It can also effect your memory, learning, and stress control since too much cortisol causes a reduction in the connections between neurons. People who have been through or survived a natural disaster usually develop trauma and other mental health disorders like depression. They are often extremely stressed due to the fact that they have gone through a huge loss.

SP8: Communicating Information

I communicated the information I obtained by working with my group members to create a flyer on ways survivors can cope with mental health disorders like PTSD. After researching by reading articles, watching a video, and completing a formative, I created the flyer. One way that survivors can cope after going through a natural disaster is yoga and meditation. Both of these activities involve deep breathing and relaxation. Doing these as well as exercising ca reduce the effects of cortisol on the brain. Another thing we wrote was reaching out and offering support to others who have gone through similar ordeals. Helping out others benefits both you and the other person. It can make you happier and combat depression.

XCC: Cause and Effect 

A natural disaster can have many effects. For someone who went through the disaster, their physical and mental well being is usually hurt. Aside from getting injured, many survivors develop trauma, PTSD, depression and other mental health disorders. Natural disasters can even effect those far away watching the scene from a TV screen. Family members and friends far away from the action feel deep worry and fear from not knowing whether or not that person is okay. In addition to this, natural disasters effect the government and town. Restoring the damage done can be a lengthy and pricey process. Overall, a natural disaster is one cause with many negative effects. 

 

Eclipses, Seasons, and Tides Master Quest Re-grade

Question:

 Correct answer: 

The correct answer is Spring because the solar energy of the sun towards the Northern Hemisphere in this position isn't super high or super low and the hours of daylight due to the tilt of the Earth is in the middle.

Question:

Correct answer:

The correct answer is summer because in this position the Northern Hemisphere receives the most amount of sunlight energy from the sun making the days warmer and has the longest days in the year. The axis of the Earth is tilted towards the sun giving it the most light.

Question:

 Correct answer:

The correct answer is fall because the Northern Hemisphere is receiving moderately low levels of sunlight. The tilt of the Earth's axis is making it face a little ways away form the sun.

Question:

 Correct answer:

The correct answer is winter because the Earth is tiled away from the sun causing the Northern Hemisphere to receive the lowest levels on sun energy making it the cold season, winter.

Question:

Correct answer:

The correct answer is 23.5 degrees because the Earth is tilted at 23.5 degrees.

Question:

Correct answer:

The correct answer is summer because the Earth's axis is tilted towards the sun making the Northern Hemisphere receive the most amount of sun energy.

Question:

 Correct answer:

The correct answer is winter because since the Earth's axis is tilted towards the sun making the Southern Hemisphere face away from the sun and receive low levels of light and sun energy.


Question:

 Correct answer:

The correct answer is a lunar eclipse because in order for a lunar eclipse to happen the sun, Earth, and a full moon needs to be lined up exactly with the Earth in between them. The position that the moon needs to be in for a lunar eclipse (in the umbra) is also where a full moon would occur. 

Question:

Correct answer:

The correct answer is when the sun is directly above Earth's equator. This is because the angle of the sun in relation to the Earth's equator causes day and night to be of equal length making an equinox.