Hey All,
After so much hard work this past month, I hope that you all have a joyful and restful break.
EXTRA CREDIT BONANZA! In case you get restless, go through homework withdrawal, or just want to explore a few new and expanded avenues of our environmental studies, below are a few extra credit opportunities. They will all count individually, so you can do as many of them as you wish.
Sustainability Game
The half sheet of paper handed out in class is the worksheet to go with this game that challenges you to balance resource extraction with making money. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU DIDN"T GET ONE. Good efforts, reflections, and insights will boost your final semester grade by one point. Go to www.sustainabilityed.org.
Add to the Planetfesto Ribbon
Check out www.planetfesto.org. This is a website created by a couple of current BMS parents to enable people around the world to express their appreciation and stewardship of the planet on which we live. Customize your images and text, and show us all when we get back in the New Year. Creativity and thoughtfulness will result in up to two extra points on your final semester grade.
Dialoguing with Sylvia McLaughlin
We have a very special event on the evening of Thursday, January 10th, and we need various forms of help:
1. Are there students who would like to represent the MS in discussion with Sylvia? This would include compiling the questions that we posed back in September when we read her “Saving the bay, again” piece from the SF Chronicle. There were many thoughtful questions that will really spark some excellent discussions and insights! Three extra points on your final grade for this.
2. Compiling photos of the scientific and artwork that we did in the Strawberry Creek Watershed. It will be great to display the watershed studies that we have been engaged in over the last couple of months. Two extra points on your final grade for helping with this.
3. Helping at the event with tickets, seating, refreshments, etc. One extra point on your final grade for helping with this.
We should have a big presence at this event to show our engagement in the Strawberry Creek and larger SF Bay Watershed.
On a more mandatory note, if you received a missing work slip, please have it signed for Monday, January 7th, and complete all of the work by Friday, January 11th. If there are worksheets you need, or questions that you have, please email me at shurd@bmsonline.org.
Have a wonderful break, and see you in ’08.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Genographic Project Update
Thank you to the 14 students who brought in their forms to participate in the drawing to have DNA extracted, analyzed, and shared with the class. The three students chosen were: Aaron, Nojan, and Ana. Sampling will happen early this week so that we will hopefully have the results by the end of January. I have been learning more about this project, and it is extremely cool!
Moving Ahead with the Lab Report
Hi Everyone,
I hope that you are all working away with the data relevant to your hypotheses and experiments.
To stay on track with this assignment, you should have the first drafts of the Performing the Experiment (Experiment Explanation) and Data Analysis completed on Monday. If you are falling behind, please check in with me on Monday.
As part of the Performing the Experiment section (Experiment Explanation), It was mentioned that you should describe the sites at which the data were collected that you are using. The following are some brief descriptions of the sites. Please feel free to use these descriptions if they help - also add your own observations if you were at the site.
Strawberry Canyon
This site is in the upper part of the watershed, just below the University of California Botanical Garden. This stretch of Strawberry Creek is in a narrow forested valley without development upstream. There is a narrow, rocky creek bed, and the banks range from about 10 feet to 30 feet in height. An unpaved recreation trail runs alongside the creek. This trail is primarily used for runners, walkers, and dog walkers (lots of canine evidence left behind).
University of California
After leaving Strawberry Canyon, Strawberry Creek flows underground in a culvert before resurfacing on Cal's campus. On campus, the main branch flows primarily through shaded areas. Near the western edge of campus, in a grove of massive eucalyptus trees, this main branch of Strawberry Creek merges with the smaller north branch, which surfaces as it exits a culvert near the north gate of campus. This north branch runs through more developed areas upstream. On campus, the north branch runs through redwoods and the lawn area near the science building before entering the eucalyptus grove. Below the confluence of the two streams, the creek flows in an exposed shaded creek bed until leaving campus and flowing underground through a culvert. It resurfaces in Strawberry Creek Park.
Strawberry Creek Park
This is a short daylighted stretch of Strawberry Creek, which extends for about 150 yards before again flowing under the city. The creek bed is mostly shaded, and consists of smashed pieces of the culvert that formerly contained the creek in this area. This area of Berkeley is urban with a mix of residences, businesses, streets, sidewalks, and the park, which does provide some protection for the water. After leaving the park, the creek again goes underground, and doesn't surface again it exits the culvert into San Francisco Bay at the bottom of the watershed.
Where Strawberry Creek Meets the Bay
The last stretch of the creek is underground as it passes through the industrial area with warehouses, manufacturers, railroad tracks, the freeway, and traffic congestion. This bottom area of the watershed - where the Amtrak station and Truitt&White are now located - was the site of a large Huichin (Ohlone) shellmound. This mound was built over the 3,700 years that these people inhabited Strawberry Creek before European settlers took over the area. The actual spot where the creek hits the Bay can only be sampled when the tide is low. Otherwise, the tidal influence mixes salt water in with the creek's freshwater, and results are not accurate.
I hope that you are all working away with the data relevant to your hypotheses and experiments.
To stay on track with this assignment, you should have the first drafts of the Performing the Experiment (Experiment Explanation) and Data Analysis completed on Monday. If you are falling behind, please check in with me on Monday.
As part of the Performing the Experiment section (Experiment Explanation), It was mentioned that you should describe the sites at which the data were collected that you are using. The following are some brief descriptions of the sites. Please feel free to use these descriptions if they help - also add your own observations if you were at the site.
Strawberry Canyon
This site is in the upper part of the watershed, just below the University of California Botanical Garden. This stretch of Strawberry Creek is in a narrow forested valley without development upstream. There is a narrow, rocky creek bed, and the banks range from about 10 feet to 30 feet in height. An unpaved recreation trail runs alongside the creek. This trail is primarily used for runners, walkers, and dog walkers (lots of canine evidence left behind).
University of California
After leaving Strawberry Canyon, Strawberry Creek flows underground in a culvert before resurfacing on Cal's campus. On campus, the main branch flows primarily through shaded areas. Near the western edge of campus, in a grove of massive eucalyptus trees, this main branch of Strawberry Creek merges with the smaller north branch, which surfaces as it exits a culvert near the north gate of campus. This north branch runs through more developed areas upstream. On campus, the north branch runs through redwoods and the lawn area near the science building before entering the eucalyptus grove. Below the confluence of the two streams, the creek flows in an exposed shaded creek bed until leaving campus and flowing underground through a culvert. It resurfaces in Strawberry Creek Park.
Strawberry Creek Park
This is a short daylighted stretch of Strawberry Creek, which extends for about 150 yards before again flowing under the city. The creek bed is mostly shaded, and consists of smashed pieces of the culvert that formerly contained the creek in this area. This area of Berkeley is urban with a mix of residences, businesses, streets, sidewalks, and the park, which does provide some protection for the water. After leaving the park, the creek again goes underground, and doesn't surface again it exits the culvert into San Francisco Bay at the bottom of the watershed.
Where Strawberry Creek Meets the Bay
The last stretch of the creek is underground as it passes through the industrial area with warehouses, manufacturers, railroad tracks, the freeway, and traffic congestion. This bottom area of the watershed - where the Amtrak station and Truitt&White are now located - was the site of a large Huichin (Ohlone) shellmound. This mound was built over the 3,700 years that these people inhabited Strawberry Creek before European settlers took over the area. The actual spot where the creek hits the Bay can only be sampled when the tide is low. Otherwise, the tidal influence mixes salt water in with the creek's freshwater, and results are not accurate.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
National Geographic Genographic Project
Hey Everyone,
Following up on the email that I sent the other day, permission slips for students to participate in the drawing to be one of three students contributing DNA to the Genographic Project are now available. THEY MUST BE RETURNED BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, which is when the drawing will occur.
Following up on the email that I sent the other day, permission slips for students to participate in the drawing to be one of three students contributing DNA to the Genographic Project are now available. THEY MUST BE RETURNED BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, which is when the drawing will occur.
Update on Lab Report Progress
Hi All,
Sorry for the late post. I mentioned to most of you that the Performing the Experiment Section (Experiment Explanation) will be worked on in class tomorrow. Since the dataset will not be ready until then, it would be impossible to have it complete.
The task in class tomorrow will be to sort the data to get those that you want and need for testing your hypothesis.
For Monday, December 17, you should have your first drafts of the the Experiment Explanation and Data Analysis sections, and your revised versions of the Hypothesis and Methodology sections.
Sorry for the late post. I mentioned to most of you that the Performing the Experiment Section (Experiment Explanation) will be worked on in class tomorrow. Since the dataset will not be ready until then, it would be impossible to have it complete.
The task in class tomorrow will be to sort the data to get those that you want and need for testing your hypothesis.
For Monday, December 17, you should have your first drafts of the the Experiment Explanation and Data Analysis sections, and your revised versions of the Hypothesis and Methodology sections.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Field Trips this week
Hi All,
Just a reminder that the 8th grade will be in the field all morning tomorrow, 12/11, and the 7th grade on Wednesday, 12/12. Without permission slips, students cannot go on the trips. Please bring your snack, $1.70 in change for the bus, and a pencil to write with. Be dressed for a clear crisp morning.
Just a reminder that the 8th grade will be in the field all morning tomorrow, 12/11, and the 7th grade on Wednesday, 12/12. Without permission slips, students cannot go on the trips. Please bring your snack, $1.70 in change for the bus, and a pencil to write with. Be dressed for a clear crisp morning.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Field Work and Lab Reporting
Hey All,
Below are the guidelines that will take us through the Holiday Break. These are very doable benchmarks, and the rubric that we review tomorrow in class will provide added guidance on how we will demonstrate our understanding though this lab report.
Guidelines for the Strawberry Creek Watershed Lab Report
Final Due December 20, 2007
11/27-28/07
Begin fieldwork
*By 12/3/07
Hypothesis:
Express it appropriately, reflecting all of the qualities that a good hypothesis should.
*By 12/3/07
Experiment Methodology: How are you going to test your hypothesis?
• What you will test for and why
• What equipment will you use?
• What sites will be tested and why?
• What will be the frequency and number of samples that you plan to use and why?
Continue to perform fieldwork and data collection through 12/12/07.
*By 12/13/07
Experiment Explanation:
• Describe your testing sites in as much detail as possible
• Explain how the data collection procedure went
• Provide clear information on how data were collected that you are using.
*By 12/17/07
Data Analysis: (not the conclusion yet)
• Describe the data that you used, and what they mean.
• Compare the results from your different test sites.
• You must have at least one graph, well labeled with your independent variable on the x-axis and your dependent variable on the y-axis.
*12/18/07
Conclusion:
• Explain whether your hypothesis was confirmed, disproved, or partially disproved.
• What are the next steps for this scientific process?
• What were some occurrences in the lab process that may have affected your results unintentionally?
• What further questions or possible future research do you come away with from this experiment?
*12/20/07
Final to be submitted
PLEASE NOTE: “*” indicates a written part of the report
Rough drafts of all “*”sections should be handed in on the indicated dates with revised versions of all previous sections. All submitted work should be typed, including any graphs. It is your obligation to make necessary changes to your rough drafts. These changes will reflect information from Simon’s assessments and your self-assessments. Nice graphics and pictures that help to show the procedure, results, or your understanding are welcome in the report.
Below are the guidelines that will take us through the Holiday Break. These are very doable benchmarks, and the rubric that we review tomorrow in class will provide added guidance on how we will demonstrate our understanding though this lab report.
Guidelines for the Strawberry Creek Watershed Lab Report
Final Due December 20, 2007
11/27-28/07
Begin fieldwork
*By 12/3/07
Hypothesis:
Express it appropriately, reflecting all of the qualities that a good hypothesis should.
*By 12/3/07
Experiment Methodology: How are you going to test your hypothesis?
• What you will test for and why
• What equipment will you use?
• What sites will be tested and why?
• What will be the frequency and number of samples that you plan to use and why?
Continue to perform fieldwork and data collection through 12/12/07.
*By 12/13/07
Experiment Explanation:
• Describe your testing sites in as much detail as possible
• Explain how the data collection procedure went
• Provide clear information on how data were collected that you are using.
*By 12/17/07
Data Analysis: (not the conclusion yet)
• Describe the data that you used, and what they mean.
• Compare the results from your different test sites.
• You must have at least one graph, well labeled with your independent variable on the x-axis and your dependent variable on the y-axis.
*12/18/07
Conclusion:
• Explain whether your hypothesis was confirmed, disproved, or partially disproved.
• What are the next steps for this scientific process?
• What were some occurrences in the lab process that may have affected your results unintentionally?
• What further questions or possible future research do you come away with from this experiment?
*12/20/07
Final to be submitted
PLEASE NOTE: “*” indicates a written part of the report
Rough drafts of all “*”sections should be handed in on the indicated dates with revised versions of all previous sections. All submitted work should be typed, including any graphs. It is your obligation to make necessary changes to your rough drafts. These changes will reflect information from Simon’s assessments and your self-assessments. Nice graphics and pictures that help to show the procedure, results, or your understanding are welcome in the report.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Keeping up on the Creek Work
Hey All,
Sorry for the delay getting this post up.
For Monday, make sure that you have a tight hypothesis and experiment design to move forward with. I will have the data from Strawberry Creek so far for you to work with, as well as details on the rest of the study and lab report.
Sorry for the delay getting this post up.
For Monday, make sure that you have a tight hypothesis and experiment design to move forward with. I will have the data from Strawberry Creek so far for you to work with, as well as details on the rest of the study and lab report.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Retest and Field Trips
Hi All,
I hope that Thanksgiving was enjoyable for all.
Please do not forget that retests are due in class on Monday 11/26 if you took one from me. Also, refer to the previous post for other work due.
We are very short on returned permissions slips and especially drivers for the 8th grade Strawberry Creek trip on Tuesday and the 7th grade trip on Wednesday. Please make sure these forms are returned by Monday. Also, ask about drivers. If we do not have enough by Monday, I will scrap the trip for this week. Thanks!
I hope that Thanksgiving was enjoyable for all.
Please do not forget that retests are due in class on Monday 11/26 if you took one from me. Also, refer to the previous post for other work due.
We are very short on returned permissions slips and especially drivers for the 8th grade Strawberry Creek trip on Tuesday and the 7th grade trip on Wednesday. Please make sure these forms are returned by Monday. Also, ask about drivers. If we do not have enough by Monday, I will scrap the trip for this week. Thanks!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Busy Holiday Times - Enjoy Them, but Stay on Track!
Hey All,
Busy Times!!!!!! Here is the latest:
Due tomorrow, 11/20: The Story of Stuff Worksheet - be sure to answer #10 thoroughly!
Due Monday, 11/26: Answer the following questions about your science test:
1. What is one thing that worked well for you in preparing for, or taking, the test?
2. What is one thing that you could have done better in preparing for, or taking, the test?
Optional, for Monday, 11/26: Scientific Method and Water Quality Retest. If you want to do this, you must get a copy of this from me on Tuesday 11/20. If you take one, you are obligated to hand it in to me in class on Monday, 11/26. The score on your retest wil be averaged in with the score on the original test. This is a great oppotunity for many, but could be problematic if people do not follow through.
IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!!! Permission slips went home today for the 8th grade field trip on Tuesday, 11/27 and the 7th grade field trip on Wednesday, 11/28. We will be in the field all morning. WE NEED DRIVERS!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Busy Times!!!!!! Here is the latest:
Due tomorrow, 11/20: The Story of Stuff Worksheet - be sure to answer #10 thoroughly!
Due Monday, 11/26: Answer the following questions about your science test:
1. What is one thing that worked well for you in preparing for, or taking, the test?
2. What is one thing that you could have done better in preparing for, or taking, the test?
Optional, for Monday, 11/26: Scientific Method and Water Quality Retest. If you want to do this, you must get a copy of this from me on Tuesday 11/20. If you take one, you are obligated to hand it in to me in class on Monday, 11/26. The score on your retest wil be averaged in with the score on the original test. This is a great oppotunity for many, but could be problematic if people do not follow through.
IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!!! Permission slips went home today for the 8th grade field trip on Tuesday, 11/27 and the 7th grade field trip on Wednesday, 11/28. We will be in the field all morning. WE NEED DRIVERS!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Recapping the Week and Looking Ahead
Hey All,
I hope it has been a good week for you all. I was sorry to miss class on Monday, but it seems like the Story of Stuff was quite provocative. I also hope that the test went well for you today. We will assess how we did, as well as our preparation for the test, next Monday. The following is a list of things coming up in the next couple of weeks in science.
For Monday, 11/19: Please read the Phosphorus and Nitrogen packet. These are the last two parameters that we will be testing for in our water quality monitoring.
For Tuesday, 11/20: Please complete the Story of Stuff worksheet, and be attentive to detail in describing and explaining the item that you have chosen to focus on in #10.
Strawberry Creek Field Trips!!!!!!!
8th Grade - Tuesday, 11/27, 8:45 to 11:45
7th Grade - Wednesday, 11/28, 8:45 to 11:45
WE NEED DRIVERS!
As usual, please email me with any questions. Have a great weekend!
I hope it has been a good week for you all. I was sorry to miss class on Monday, but it seems like the Story of Stuff was quite provocative. I also hope that the test went well for you today. We will assess how we did, as well as our preparation for the test, next Monday. The following is a list of things coming up in the next couple of weeks in science.
For Monday, 11/19: Please read the Phosphorus and Nitrogen packet. These are the last two parameters that we will be testing for in our water quality monitoring.
For Tuesday, 11/20: Please complete the Story of Stuff worksheet, and be attentive to detail in describing and explaining the item that you have chosen to focus on in #10.
Strawberry Creek Field Trips!!!!!!!
8th Grade - Tuesday, 11/27, 8:45 to 11:45
7th Grade - Wednesday, 11/28, 8:45 to 11:45
WE NEED DRIVERS!
As usual, please email me with any questions. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Getting Back Up to Speed
Hi All,
It has been a good week getting back on the science track as we move into water quality monitoring of the Strawberry Creek Watershed. We have reviewed the concept of a watershed, the scientific method, and introduced the first two criteria that we will be testing in the creek (i.e. temperature and dissolved oxygen).
Here is the homework for the following week:
For Monday, 11/12: Finish reading the Physical Properties of Streams and Stream Chemistry packet. The remaining sections are about pH and alkalinity.
Next Thursday, 11/15: TEST on the following items:
The Water Cycle
Watersheds
Scientific Method
Qualities of a Good Hypothesis
Stream Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Alkalinity
The test will require you to be able to explain each concept and apply it to scenarios (when possible). We will spend time reviewing next Tuesday and Wednesday in Science Workshop. Please email me before then if you have questions.
It has been a good week getting back on the science track as we move into water quality monitoring of the Strawberry Creek Watershed. We have reviewed the concept of a watershed, the scientific method, and introduced the first two criteria that we will be testing in the creek (i.e. temperature and dissolved oxygen).
Here is the homework for the following week:
For Monday, 11/12: Finish reading the Physical Properties of Streams and Stream Chemistry packet. The remaining sections are about pH and alkalinity.
Next Thursday, 11/15: TEST on the following items:
The Water Cycle
Watersheds
Scientific Method
Qualities of a Good Hypothesis
Stream Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Alkalinity
The test will require you to be able to explain each concept and apply it to scenarios (when possible). We will spend time reviewing next Tuesday and Wednesday in Science Workshop. Please email me before then if you have questions.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Strawberry Creek Assessing and Hypothesizing
Hey Everyone,
I hope that you enjoy your long weekend! I want to say that overall the presentations on Strawberry Creek's history, biology, geology, land use, and water quality were very helpful in setting the stage for November's field work - good work! There are two homework tasks related to the presentations and next steps that I want you to work on this weekend:
For Tuesday, 10/9:
1. I gave you all an assessment sheet for yourself and your presentation partners. I want you to fill that out, indicating one thing that each team member did well to contribute to the presentation, and something that each of you could have done beter to contribute to the team. Please be honest and specific - this is to help us all improve in this type of work in the future.
2. Based on what we know about Strawberry Creek at this time, and as we look to test the creek's water quality beginning in November, please come up with two questions that you have about the creek and two hypotheses related to those questions that we could test. Remember to refer to the work that we have done on the scientific method to guide this process. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ASSIGNMENT!
A reminder: I will also be collecting your science notebooks on Tuesday. Please check through this blog to make sure that all of your work is completed, and done well!
I hope that you enjoy your long weekend! I want to say that overall the presentations on Strawberry Creek's history, biology, geology, land use, and water quality were very helpful in setting the stage for November's field work - good work! There are two homework tasks related to the presentations and next steps that I want you to work on this weekend:
For Tuesday, 10/9:
1. I gave you all an assessment sheet for yourself and your presentation partners. I want you to fill that out, indicating one thing that each team member did well to contribute to the presentation, and something that each of you could have done beter to contribute to the team. Please be honest and specific - this is to help us all improve in this type of work in the future.
2. Based on what we know about Strawberry Creek at this time, and as we look to test the creek's water quality beginning in November, please come up with two questions that you have about the creek and two hypotheses related to those questions that we could test. Remember to refer to the work that we have done on the scientific method to guide this process. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ASSIGNMENT!
A reminder: I will also be collecting your science notebooks on Tuesday. Please check through this blog to make sure that all of your work is completed, and done well!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Reminder
Remember folks, the one-page typed essay to explain what you hope to gain on the Sequoia trip is due by dismissal on Wednesday (tomorrow).
Background on Strawberry Creek Watershed
Hi All,
Good work continues.....to review, we have been looking at issues related to quality and quantity of water globally and locally: Drop in the Bucket, the Water Cycle, What is a watershed? Contaminated groundwater in the Central Valley, and the need to continue saving San Francisco Bay. Now, let's focus on our watershed....
Beginning in November, we will be monitoring the water quality in Strawberry Creek from the headwaters near Grizzly Peak, through Strawberry Canyon and Cal's campus, into Strawberry Creek Park, and where it flows into the Bay at the bottom of University Avenue.
For Thursday, 10/4:
Work with your small group to provide a 2 to 3 minute overview of one of the different aspects of Strawberry Creek for Thursday. Your topic is one of the following: history, water quality, biology, geology and geomorphology, or land use. I am simply asking you to summarize the information provided on the following website: strawberrycreek.berkeley.edu. Click on your topic in the left margin.
Good work continues.....to review, we have been looking at issues related to quality and quantity of water globally and locally: Drop in the Bucket, the Water Cycle, What is a watershed? Contaminated groundwater in the Central Valley, and the need to continue saving San Francisco Bay. Now, let's focus on our watershed....
Beginning in November, we will be monitoring the water quality in Strawberry Creek from the headwaters near Grizzly Peak, through Strawberry Canyon and Cal's campus, into Strawberry Creek Park, and where it flows into the Bay at the bottom of University Avenue.
For Thursday, 10/4:
Work with your small group to provide a 2 to 3 minute overview of one of the different aspects of Strawberry Creek for Thursday. Your topic is one of the following: history, water quality, biology, geology and geomorphology, or land use. I am simply asking you to summarize the information provided on the following website: strawberrycreek.berkeley.edu. Click on your topic in the left margin.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
California's Real Water War and Save the Bay Again
Hi All,
I am very excited about the enthusiasm in class around the Drop in the Bucket, Water Cycle, and Composting components that we have been working on. As we move to define and understand "our" Strawberry Creek Watershed, there are two items from the SF Chronicle on August 27th that I would like you to respond to in your notebook.
Due Monday, October 1:
California's Real Water War
Firestone and Vanderwarker identify agricultural practices as the reason that the groundwater in numerous small poor Central Valley farming communities is unsafe to drink.
1. What are your reactions and questions to this issue in California? Cite three things in the article that make you feel this way.
2. Do you think that we can both protect the groundwater for Central Valley residents and keep agriculture productive in these areas? If so, hypothesize about how we might achieve this. If not, why do you believe this?
Saving the Bay Again
Sylvia McLaughlin, co-founder of Save the Bay, argues, "The bay will always need an informed and dedicated stewardship. As Kay Kerr once said, the bay is never saved; it is always in the process of being saved."
1. What are two significant things that you can do as an individual - or as part of a larger group - to help save the bay?
2. After reading Sylvia McLaughlin's piece, what are two questions that you would like to ask her about San Francisco Bay and her work?
I am very excited about the enthusiasm in class around the Drop in the Bucket, Water Cycle, and Composting components that we have been working on. As we move to define and understand "our" Strawberry Creek Watershed, there are two items from the SF Chronicle on August 27th that I would like you to respond to in your notebook.
Due Monday, October 1:
California's Real Water War
Firestone and Vanderwarker identify agricultural practices as the reason that the groundwater in numerous small poor Central Valley farming communities is unsafe to drink.
1. What are your reactions and questions to this issue in California? Cite three things in the article that make you feel this way.
2. Do you think that we can both protect the groundwater for Central Valley residents and keep agriculture productive in these areas? If so, hypothesize about how we might achieve this. If not, why do you believe this?
Saving the Bay Again
Sylvia McLaughlin, co-founder of Save the Bay, argues, "The bay will always need an informed and dedicated stewardship. As Kay Kerr once said, the bay is never saved; it is always in the process of being saved."
1. What are two significant things that you can do as an individual - or as part of a larger group - to help save the bay?
2. After reading Sylvia McLaughlin's piece, what are two questions that you would like to ask her about San Francisco Bay and her work?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Possibilities of Applying the Scientific Method
Amusing examples of applying the scientific method in class today - thanks to Reed, Stefan, and Matt for being good sports!
One additional piece of work for Science Workshop - either Tuesday or Wednesday (check your schedule):
Complete the Scientific Method worksheet related to plants or the solar panels. The sections to fill in include: Observation, Question, Hypothesis, and Experiment. Please remember that you are simply setting the stage for a possible experiment - NOT ACTUALLY PERFORMING IT AT THIS POINT!
One additional piece of work for Science Workshop - either Tuesday or Wednesday (check your schedule):
Complete the Scientific Method worksheet related to plants or the solar panels. The sections to fill in include: Observation, Question, Hypothesis, and Experiment. Please remember that you are simply setting the stage for a possible experiment - NOT ACTUALLY PERFORMING IT AT THIS POINT!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Fields of Science Freewrite
Great lists of the fields of science in classes on Thursday. Don't forget the homework for Tuesday, 9/18:
In your notebook, title this work "Fields of Science Freewrite". Answer the question: "Is it possible to study one field of science in isolation from the other fields? Please explain."
In your notebook, title this work "Fields of Science Freewrite". Answer the question: "Is it possible to study one field of science in isolation from the other fields? Please explain."
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Hi Everyone,
Glad to get this blog up and running for the Environmental Science class. I am very excited about this year, and I am impressed with students' curiosity and enthusiasm!
Just to update you all:
1. For class tomorrow (Thursday, 9/13), have your list of at least six fields of science written in your notebook.
2. Also for tomorrow (Thursday, 9/13), have your course description signed by you and a parent.
3. For Monday (9/17), read the sheet on the scientific method, and write two or three clarifying questions in your notebook about the components of the method.
That's all for now.........
Glad to get this blog up and running for the Environmental Science class. I am very excited about this year, and I am impressed with students' curiosity and enthusiasm!
Just to update you all:
1. For class tomorrow (Thursday, 9/13), have your list of at least six fields of science written in your notebook.
2. Also for tomorrow (Thursday, 9/13), have your course description signed by you and a parent.
3. For Monday (9/17), read the sheet on the scientific method, and write two or three clarifying questions in your notebook about the components of the method.
That's all for now.........
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