Questions & Answers
Question 1 | What Earth Science themes did you learn about the Universe that also applied to our Solar System?
One theme we learned about was titled the "Formation of our Solar System." The Nebular Theory started in our Solar System around 4.6 billion years ago. This formed when a nebula (interstellar cloud of gas) collapsed (Cessna 2009).The Nebula was filled with ice, dust, and rocks before it collapsed from too much pressure and heat (gravity), forming the beginning of the Solar System and the Universe. Another theme we learned was titled "More than Planets: Other objects in the Solar System." Terrestrial Planets, Meteoroids, Planets with Rings, Moons, Shooting Star, Comet, Oort Cloud, Asteroid, Kuiper Belt, Meteor, Gas Giants, and Meteorite all are major parts in the Solar System that are linked together to make the Universe what it is today. They all have a major role in our solar system and our universe, examples are in my "Do you know who I am" book. http://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/16206332/53fa35855729d# Question 3 | What about the way you live and conduct your life did you question and change after completing the Earth's Resources Module? Maddie Weeks and I made a project covering plastics and recycling. We want(ed) to get at least one, but hopefully two, full-size plastic recycling bins in the Center Grove cafeteria. There are approximately 2,400 students at Center Grove High School. If half of the students purchase a plastic drink out of the vending machines, or buy a plastic drink at lunch, approximately 1,200 plastic bottles would be thrown into a landfill. This number doesn't even account for students who purchase more than one plastic bottle or staff and administration that purchase plastic bottled drinks. Since plastic is not biodegradable, it cannot break down, therefore it will stay in the landfill for thousands of years. Our landfills are filling up with plastic bottles! Knowing this, I have been watching what I drink out of. If there is no recycling provided (like at Center Grove High School), I have been bringing my own "Camelbak" to school. I have also been bringing my "Camelbak" to basketball practice so I can drink more water without buying and wasting more and more plastic bottles. I have also repeatedly informed my family and friends of the negative consequences of not recycling plastic. Maddie and I are hoping our idea will help make a change to not only the landfills, but the Center Grove cafeteria as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ6BsDsYHmY |
Question 2 | Why is it important for scientists to continue to study astronomy when we have so many unsolved problems on Earth?
Many of our unsolved problems on Earth may be solved from studying space and the other planets in our Solar System. By gathering data and retrieving minerals from other planets, we can compare our results to the Earth. For example, by studying another planet, we might be more likely to solve a problem the Earth may be experiencing. We might be able to see if a planet besides the Earth is habitable to help decrease population on Earth and the negative effects we humans have on the Earth's biosphere. Studying the Sun and its effects on our atmosphere and planet are still being researched in depth. Without studying the Sun, we would not have been made aware that the solar flares coming from the Sun effect the Earth's weather and make the temperature hotter. By studying the moon and its effects we learn information on the Earth's tides. By knowing more information outside of Earth, we can protect ourselves from problems before they occur. So yes, it makes sense that we focus on astronomy as well as our unsolved problems on the Earth. Question 4 | Knowing that our next semester Module topics include [The Solid Earth - Geology Topics], [The Earth's Processes - Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Plate Tectonics], and [The Atmosphere - Meteorology Topics], what are you most intrigued to learn about, why, and how might it connect to topics from this semester?
I am most intrigued to learn about "The Atmosphere - Meteorology Topics." My brother, Cameron, attends Purdue University and Meteorology is one of his three majors. He is always talking about how interesting and complex our atmosphere really is and how studying the weather and the climate patterns has an effect on our agriculture as well as our daily lives. I always thought meteorology was just about the weather, but it is so much more than that! I cannot wait to learn more about meteorology next spring so I can have great conversations with Cameron and impress him with my new knowledge of the topic! Who knows, maybe I will become a meteorologist like my brother! |
Question 6 | What unit of study or topic from this semester most connected for you to what we did last semester? Explain how they connected and how that helped you to better understand something.
"The Earth's Resources" module helped me make connections with "The Atmosphere" module during the second semester. "The Earth's Resources" module was about saving the Earth and protecting our environment. We learned that if we help recycle, use solar panels, stop deforestation, and reduce our pollution, we could help stop global warming. Global Warming is occurring because the atmosphere is rapidly heating up. We learned in "The Atmosphere" module that one of the main reasons why the atmosphere is rapidly heating up is because of us as humans. Yes there are other effects as well (like the Earth is being pulled by gravity closer to the Sun), but we cannot change gravity, we can only change our routines. These modules helped me understand the impact humans really have on the environment and the atmosphere. |
Question 7 | What is the single greatest impact we can have as a human race if everyone on this planet were to study the earth sciences before graduating high school? (Meteorology, Astronomy, Geology, Oceanography, and Environmental)
I believe the single greatest impact humans could have if they studied earth sciences would be change. After studying earth sciences, I realized the huge impact I have on the earth and I am just one person! From toxins flowing into the ocean, non biodegradable objects being thrown into landfills, exhaust being released from driving cars that then drift into the atmosphere, forests being cut down for more space, and using electricity rather then solar panels to help conserve energy. All of these problems could easily be fixed if humans "watch" what they throw into the trash, recycle the non biodegradable objects, drive E-cars, stop deforestation by building in already open fields, and buying solar panels to help save energy. Yes, one person can easily change the world, they just have give an effort and care in order to make a change one step at a time. References http://www.universetoday.com/38118/how-was-the-solar-system-formed/ (Cessna 2009). |