Thursday, May 21, 2015

ALL classes Current events e.c.



You will choose an article or science related video of over 2 pages or 45 minutes on science current event. It will fall into one (or more) of these categories:

·         Scientific discovery – for example, scientists find comets may have delivered the water found in earth’s oceans.
·         Science-related event – for example, the Japan earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant meltdown; the launch of a space probe.
·         A cultural change/happening that involves science/technology – for example, bicyclists’ clothing that can act as a radar gun to show drivers how fast they’re moving.
·         Science in public policy – for example, a bill or law that deals with science (cap on carbon emissions).

The article must be timely, meaning it’s been published within the past three months or 3 yrs. for videos. Finally, technology articles are okay, but I will not accept any product announcements or reviews.

Create a write-up of your current event, summarizing the story and answering key questions. You will include a copy of the story you are citing or the golden page format for the video, movie or program.  
Science current events will:
Cite the news source, using the Oceana Golden page format for citations found on the Oceana website. Magazine Article:
Perlman, Jeff. “Sultan of Swat.” Sports Illustrated. 12 February 2001: 54-59.
Newspaper Article:
*  Taylor, Michael. “Potholes Scar Roads Across Region.” San Francisco Chronicle. 23 October 2005:
*  Give the title of the article, author’s name, and article date within the body of the summary.
*  Summarize the event in your own words, using complete sentences. Spelling and grammar count.
*  Your summary will answer the following questions:
·         Who/what is the subject of the story?
·         Where did it happen?
·         When did it happen?
·         How did it happen?
·         Why did the event happen, or why was the event important enough to make the news?
·         Why did you choose this article?
·         What did you learn from the article, and what are your thoughts about this event/issue?
*CONNECTION AND COMMENT RELATED TO ONE ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
·         How does this event affect the world or region where it occurred?
·         How does this discovery advance science?
·         What does the discovery/event mean for our society?
·         What does this discovery/event mean for future work/the environment/humanity/etc.?
·         If the story is about a law or policy, how does the policy or law affect science/society?


Below are several acceptable web sites and sources for science news stories. If you wish to use a source not listed below, please check with me first.

Popular Science

New Scientist (News)

Wired Science

New York Times (Science Times)

Discover Magazine

National Geographic (News)

BBC Science/Environment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/

NPR - Science News

Boing Boing (Science)

Grist

Good (Environment, Food, Health, Technology, Transportation)

The Guardian (UK) Science

Scientific American                                  (Often written for college level or higher)

Reuters Science

NOVA: on line videos
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/

Monday, May 11, 2015

Biology Questions: Lab 29 Using/creating a Key

Analysis and Conclusion:
1.  As you used the key to identify the salamanders, did you go from general to more specific characteristics or from specific to more general?
2.  What 2 Taxa (groupings) do the parts of the scientific name represent?
3.  Was the key you created exactly like other students?  Why or why not?
4.  If you were using actual wild flowers, what other characteristics could you use in your clasification?

Critical thinking:
1.  Do you think there may be some closely related species of organisms that can not be identified using a key?  Explain your answer.
2.  Why do you think classification keys always present 2 choices rather than some other number ?
3.  What types of problems would scientists have if Carolus Linnaeus had not developed his classification and naming system for organisms, binomial nomenclature?
4.  Explain what is meant by the statement "Classification systems are the inventions of humans: diversity is the product of Evolution."