30 Year in Space

It seems like forever ago that we covered our unit on space, however it wasn't that long ago!  Check out the following link and listen to the milestones which have occurred in space travel during the lat 30 years.  Also listen to what the future holds for space travel.  

Leave a comment with what you learned and what you think should happen in the future.

30 years of space travel

Earth Day

Earth Day was last Friday, over our spring break.  We weren't here at school to talk about the many events that go on across the country to celebrate Earth day, so I thought  I would post this site.  Check it out and read about just a few of the things that are done to celebrate our Earth.  Did you know April 22 was Earth Day?  Did you do anything for Earth Day? 
What is something you could do?  We need to remember that just because Earth day is recognized on one specific date, every day we need to take steps to care for our Earth!

Earth Day

Would you want to go into Space?

What if you were given the chance to board a shuttle and head into outer space?   Would this be something you would be interested in?  I find space to be such an amazing place of unanswered questions, however I don't know if I would be cut out for space travel. 
Watch the following video and leave your thoughts, could you travel in space??


What is space like?

Flooding and Stationary Fronts

This week my creek was flooded almost everyday.  I could not get out of my road any day except Monday.  I could not have Easter dinner at my house and I had to wade through knee deep water to visit my family on Easter.  We have had more rain this April than any April in history.  So far we have already had over 10 inches of rain and it is supposed to rain almost every day this week.  How has the rain effected your plans? Did you have to miss sports games?  Did you have to move all of your spring break activities indoors?  The lengthy rain is due to a what is know as a stationary front.  This is an edge of an air mass that is not moving.  Therefore, we are getting trains of rain all along the Ohio valley.  Look at the link to see the symbol for a stationary front on the weather map.  Let me know how the rain effected you and find out how it effected other people from the 7th grade.

weather map

Evidence of Climate Change... Or Something Just Like it

Scientists should be skeptics.  Science is always based on the evidence.  Is there evidence supporting climate change?  How long are the trends based?  Is there evidence that this is a normal cycle?  Give me two pieces of evidence from the Fire and Ice Section that supports climate change.  How much has the global average sea level risen since 1993.  How much warmer is Fairbanks Alaska than 100 years ago?  How much has carbon dioxide increased per year? What percent of Alpine glaciers has Europe lost?  Read the article below and answer the questions and tell me your thoughts on the subject.  Think like a scientist.

Climate Change or something just like it

Ride along with Storm Chasers

Remember the city you chose to collect data about?  Well check on the weather map and see how it is faring.  Is it in line for a storm.  See where the real storm chasers are going.  How would you like to be with them?  Go to the link below and check out where the storms are.  Click on Video vortex and see real footage of a storm.  Comment about your city and what it would be like to chase storms.  Search on Twister Data for your chosen city and see how often tornadoes occur.

Weather Map

Clouds

What are clouds and how do they form?  What are the names of clouds and what do they mean.  How does lightning form?  How many amperes are in a return stroke of lightning?  Read this short article and watch the video and answer the above questions.



How Clouds Work

Have a little weather fun!

Check out this link.  Play the wild weather adventure.

Did you learn anything from this game?

Wild Weather Adventure

The Home Stretch

As we start the 4th quarter, think back over the year.  We have studied space,the rotation and revolution of the Earth, the phases of the moon, the sun, stars, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks and minerals.  What has been your favorite topic this year?  What was your favorite activity we did this year?  Is there another activity you wish we would have done?
What are you looking forward to doing as we study weather?  Any topic you hope that we cover?  Any specific activity you hope we do?
Hard to believe we are down to about 9 weeks of school!

Are You Ready to be a Storm Chaser?

Read this article and see if you have what it takes to be a storm chaser.  What are some good reasons to be a storm chaser.  Read this article and go to the other links in the article such as Storm Chasers on the Hunt, The Basic Gear for a storm chaser, and Why Chase Storms.  Then play the video.  How long do chasers have to wait to get to see a storm?  Do they always get to see a storm?


How Storm Chasers Work