Okay, here it is…the 2006-2007 syllabus. Now, things may change….they always do. This includes the Homework Policy, what to do if you don’t have (for whatever excuse), what to do if you’re absent and class expectations. 06_07-syllabus.doc
August 30, 2006
August 29, 2006
Manatee research
When I was in high school, I participated as an Earthwatch volunteer for two weeks during the summer. Earthwatch is a program that sends volunteers to work with scientists on their research. My volunteer service involved a photo identification project of manatees in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to learning about manatees, I got experience what field research is like for marine biologists. I learned to appreciate the difficulty of the work and the patience required to gather accurate data. Our days consisted of cruising slowing in a small boat to spot manatees, take pictures of them, make observations and measurements, and return to the lab to match the pictures with their catalog. Some days, we would only see one manatee in four hours. Anyway, what prompted this little story was an article in today’s NYTimes titled “Sleek? Well, No. Complex? Yes, Indeed.” It discusses the physiology, behavior, and adaptations of manatees. A good read.
PS. If you have any trouble with reading and understanding the articles, read them with your parents or I’d be happy to read it through with you.
Only ONE MORE WEEK!!!
August 27, 2006
The power of a name
Well, I’m sure you have all heard that Pluto has been revoked of its “planet” status and reclassified as a “dwarf planet.” Just another way science changes all the time. Apparently some people are terrified of the change. Others are sad. It’s like a loss in the family. However, this is what happens as we learn more about the world around us. We need to reclassify and categorize in order to make sense of it all. Some people say that the general public will be confused by the term “dwarf planet” because doesn’t that mean that it is still a planet? Just a little one that wears a pointy hat and a beard?
Check out this amusing article from the NYtimes. They interviewed adults and kids at the Exploratorium.
And you might be pleased to know that Snow White and the Seven (now Eight) dwarfves, welcome their new pal.
August 22, 2006
Testing…
I would like to able to attach copies of the homework on this website so you can print it out if you lose your homework. Here’s a fun little ditty composed just for this. test-doc.doc
August 19, 2006
What I did on my Summer vacation
Sue, the T. Rex, is the world’s largest, most complete skeleton. She is 42 ft long and 13ft tall at the hip. She probably weighed about 7 tons when she was alive. Sue lived during the Cretaceous Period, about 67-65 million years ago. Sue is named after Susan Hendrickson, the fossil hunter who discovered Sue. Scientists actually don’t know the sex of Sue, but we refer to Sue as a “she” because of her name.
Sue lives in the Field Museum in Chicago.
Welcome!
Ahh, it’s that time of year again! Welcome back to school! This year I’m going to try blogging as a way to keep you all updated on homework and projects, as well as show off pictures from class. I’ll also include any websites and articles that might be fun for you to check out. I’m looking forward to this excellent school year.
