One Billion Trees

On the 3rd of July, this term, we will be going to the Charlesworth Reserve. (In CIP)[Community Impact Project], we have been focusing on keeping our native plants alive to preserve our native birds. Our group has been planting native plants and trees around our school so that in several years time we hope to return the native birds around Hornby.

 Now following our movement on planting the trees and trying to prevent further climate change; it was decided that we may help by planting and helping the Charlesworth Reserve. Since New Zealand has been looking into stopping climate change by planting 1 billion trees by 2028. Charlesworth Reserve is named after Captain William Charlesworth who in his retirement bought land on Lyttelton and businesses on there as well; however, his main piece of land is on around Ferry road which was known as the Saxon Farm.
Charlesworth Reserve's goal is to restore the tidal wetland, coastal shrubs and forest. Which are important habitats to the native wetland birds as such as well as bush birds, lizard and native insects.

The Water Cycle

AIM: TO LOOK AT THE WATER CYCLE AND HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS AFFECTING IT.

Definition: Water cycle is a type of cycle in which the water circulates and the process of how it occurs. The circulation is between the earth's seas; oceans, atmosphere then land. It involves precipitation, then the condensation rain and the likes of snow, bodies of water, which then return to our atmosphere by transpiration and evaporation.

Scientific words:

• Evaporation. When water is heated by radiant energy it turns into water vapour.
• Transpiration. Evaporation from plants.
• Condensation. When water vapour cools, molecules join together and form clouds.
• Precipitation. When clouds get heavy the waters falls as rain, sleet, hail, or snow.
• Acidification: the action or process of making or becoming acidic.

We will be conducting an experiment that looks at the different ways that climate change is affecting the water cycle.

THE WATER CYCLE EXPERIMENT

Bag 1: Normal Water cycle

Bag 2: Water cycle with CO2 added: like Oceans in climate change

Bag 3: Water cycle with ice added: like Antarctica in climate change

Bag 1#

Material:

1.  Plastic bags/ziplock bags.
2.  Vivid Markers.
3.   Water.
4.   Food colouring.

Steps:

1. Grab your ziplock bag lay it on a hard surface. 
2.  Hold your vivid and draw the water cycle by drawing water, clouds, sun, etc.
3.  Label your drawing by putting the process, like evaporation, transpiration, etc.
4.  Insert 1 cup of water in the bag and put 2 drops of food colour in the bag(preferably blue).
5.  Stick the bag to a location where there is sunlight and observe within several days.

Two Images:

Bag 2#

Material:

1. Litmus Paper 
2.  Soda water
3.  Plastic bag/Ziplock bag.
4.  Vivid markers
5.  Food colouring

Steps:

1. Grab your ziplock bag lay it on a hard surface. 
2.  Hold your vivid and draw the water cycle by drawing water, clouds, sun, etc.
3.  Label your drawing by putting the process, like evaporation, transpiration, etc.
4.  Insert 1 cup of soda water in the bag; put 2 drops of food colour in the bag(preferably blue) and pinch your Litmus paper to the lock on the bag.
5.  Stick the bag to a location where there is sunlight and observe within several days.

Two Images:

Findings: To be determined.....

Conclusion:

In conclusion, evaporation in the ocean is the cause of heat, more specifically it would most likely come from sunlight.  The precipitation involves the condensation of water that turns into clouds.  [Meaning that with the temperature rising from climate change there would be larger clouds; meaning harsher rain and will last longer]

The next phase is the transpiration which is when the water is carried and absorbed by plants; where it then changes to vapour and is then again, released to the atmosphere. 

 

Poetry...

For most of this term in Philosophy, we have been focusing on poetry, one of my most loved writing "style" hitherto. Beforehand, our class was tasked with looking at the different types of genres of poems. Some of them were the likes of: Free verse, Haiku, Epic poem, Lymeric, etc.
However, of all those poems that we have looked at, our teacher picked 3 out of;  which were then Haiku (Japanese Origin - The it usually contains a verse pattern of 5, 7, 5); Lymeric (A humorous type of poem); the last one, Free Verse as suggested Free Verse could be anything that you could or may think of.  Subsequent to that the class was then to watch videos and find words that may describe them; as a warm-up per se. Several sessions later it was then decided that we could choose a genre and an inspiration where we can base our poem on.
The first poem that I did was inspired by a photo of a mantis and a butterfly on a rose (photo will be shown below). Before anything else just like what we've done with the warm-up, we had to look for words that may describe what we see, feel, etc. But then, choose words that connect to it that may be more descriptive. Following that was writing our poems I chose mine to be Haiku; I wrote several but here is the one that I think were the best ones.
After which then we had to write a second poem; this one was inspired by one of my most favourite writer, Edgar Allan Poe. I loved his poem "The Raven" and based my poem of that. I have not really listed words like what I've done in the first poem but still used some quite descriptive words that I know.

Here are the poems:

Silently

The quite quiet breeze,

It merely puts me at ease.

Through this silent place, I hear everything.

A drop of water or a drop of a needle.

A shadow flew past, the silent bird

Still, everything was heard.

The faint noises,  

Those dear voices,

From even a slight move of dirt.

Everything was heard.

As time fly by,

The noises vanish,

And there was nothing,

Rather, something,

Not nothing as there is and will always be something.

Though I thought it may have been absurd,

Everything was heard.

Something was breathing,

Strides of creatures,

Creatures that I may

or may not have been imagining.

It had not been solitary

They were a herd,

Everything was heard.

Then came volant murder of crows,

Warring and scowing,

Hostile, bellicose and war they stirred

Everything was heard.

The voices returned,

Loudly they came,

Sobbing and mourning,

Shouting and crying.

Though the voices were blurred

Everything was heard.

It filled my head,

Those voices, those noises,

I came to plug my ears.

As I then realised,

Nothing I heard was supposed to be heard.

Still, everything was heard...

My Opinion on Poetry:
I absolutely adore poetry, I have been reading them since I was little, not that I'm not little now. Recently I found a love for Haiku as well because of an 'educator'(what he liked to be called), named Richard. Who has introduced me to Haiku poetry the last term; thanks to him I absolutely love poetry now. Though the main reason for my love of poetry is, about how such a number of words can affect you in such a way that you might not even imagine, it is really wonderful, that feeling. Something that I cannot describe and for you to find out...

How to Be Physically Active!

This week in Drama, we continued to look at our well-being specifically our physical Huora. In this class, we discussed the ways in which we could look after our physical well-being. Some of them are: exercise, physical activity, sports, eating the right foods and maybe going to the gym. As well as discussing role models for physical activity; the first role model that I've chosen is Jackie Chan. I've long admired him not only as an actor but a martial artist as well. There have been some videos that I've watched him training and sparing with his stunt team, being that I was doing martial arts then it has inspired it to furthermore pursue it. I chose Jackie Chan because physically active, very much so, and I have always admired him and his work, I loved what he has done up until now. (I hope he makes hundreds of more movies).
After that, we did the (Hot Seat) where our group chose one of our "Idol" where our group picked Kevin Durant; being that he was very fit and physically active. We interviewed "him" and asked "him" physical well-being questions; of course, it wasn't really Kevin Durant but was one of my groupmates. The other person in my team got to ask him as well.
Being physically active is important to the body as it helps to prevent several deceases as well. Taking care of it is important to your whole Huora, your well-being; it provides help to the several parts of our "Te Whare Tapa Wha" which is extremely beneficial to us.

Goal: My goal to become more physically active is to exercise at least about a quarter an hour each day and eat healthier.


Here is the video:
"Kevin Durant" interview

Climate Change Follow-Up

Aim: To look at the causes of climate change and how to prevent it.

Climate Change video; The Facts video

As you watch the video answer these questions:

What is our greatest threat in thousands of years?

The greatest threat for the humankind and for the whole world in thousands of years in time is Climate Change.

How do we see climate change affecting the globe?

1.    Climate change if given time would cause a serious mass extinction, several major species could potentially be extinct or will be on the brink of extinction.
2.   Our Arctic and Antarctic will be melting, causing our sea levels to rise from normal. This could pose many issues surrounding habitats of many animals including humans.
3. The globe will be warmer, that poses problems to us if climate change is not slowed or better, stopped; the temperatures might rise to an unlivable state.
4.   The sudden rise of temperatures will affect the climate, that could mean more drought and heatwaves; as well as stronger storms and hurricanes.

Fossil Fuels

Hurumanu - Fossil Fuels.

 

Aim:

To look at how fossil fuels are contributing to climate change and how we can prevent this.

Definition of Fossil Fuels: 

Fossil Fuels- classified as natural fuels: they are of likes of coal, gases and oils; formed in the past made from the remains of living beings.

Scientific Terms for Students

• coal: a dark-brown to a black solid substance formed naturally from the compaction and hardening of fossilized plants and used as a fuel primarily for electricity generation
• natural gas: a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs naturally beneath the earth’s surface and is used as a fuel primarily for cooking and heating homes
• renewable resource: a resource that is never used up (e.g., solar energy)
• non-renewable resource: a resource that is not replaceable after its use (e.g., coal, gas)

Examples of Fossil Fuels:

1.   Coal
2.   Crude Oil
3.   Natural gases

Activity: 

In groups of 3, you will learn about different fossil fuels and the way they are mined?
Each group will be given a fossil fuel. The recorder will read it to the group. The recorder will write down some of the important points.
Person 1: Recorder: to write down 5 points of interest from the text. 

1. 5 Points:
2. Positives and negatives of your type of mining.

Person 2: Reporter: to read back to the class their 5 points of interest.
Person 3: Collector: Gathers the required stationary from the teacher.

Mining Fossil Fuels

What Fossil Fuels are mined?
How are they mined?

1.  Open-pit mining
2.  Strip mining
3. Quarrying
4. Surface mining

Where are they mined?

1.  Saudi Arabia
2. Russia
3. United States
4. China 
5. Australia

Activity;

On the sheet provided you need to make two drawings of your cookie. 
1. looking down at it. 
2. side on -  of the imaginary habitat that will live on the top of the cookie. ( trees, buses, flax, sea, etc)

Material:

1.  Chocolate chip Cookie
2.   Plate
3.   Toothpick
4.  A partner

Steps:

1.   Grab a chocolate chip cookie and put it in the container [plate].
2.   Partner and yourself will need to take each yourself a toothpick.
3.   Start to "mine" at the cookie.
4.   Carefully start to go around the chocolate chips on the [first] layer.
5.   Workaround all the chocolate chips with damaging and voila! Mining experiment accomplished.

Once you have drawn your cookies you must take 2 pictures and upload them to your blog.

Findings: What did you find out as a result of your mining?

It is challenging to get around all the most substantial materials; which in this case the chocolate chips. We also found out that mining through the "coals" will damage a lot of what was on top or underneath. Which if done in reality which it is now, it could damage a lot of habitats that are fundamental to the existence of our animals.

Conclusion: 
In conclusion, using and burning these fossil fuels; affect our atmosphere at the fundamental and in the most important way. The burning of fuels as such effect the damage done to our planet. With climate and global warming being such a huge problem. We need to work on a solution to avoid such instances wherein the near future the planet will be in wreak or is no more. Though there have been such "solutions" like using solar energy, wind energy, etc. It still cannot counteract the amount of fossil fuels that we use. By this, we might have a lot of problems in the future and may raise some very important decisions to be made.

Science

Science Badges:

  

'Conservation'  

• Climate Science
• Global Warming
• Recycling
• Renewable Energy
• Fossil Fuels
• Ecology
• Our Planet
• Water
• Plants

1. 15 Points are needed to get a badge
2. A high standard of work.

• All experiments are written up ( Aim, Materials, Steps, Conclusion)
• Two photos of your experiment
• 6 sentences at least for a conclusion

Science will be twice per week.

• Lesson 1: This will be an Experiment that involves blogging. You will be expected to open a new post, copy Mr Palmer's blog and paste it on your new post.
• Lesson 2: This will be an Investigation that relates to the topic from Lesson 1. It will be own choice and displayed in a way that you prefer. For example - PowerPoint, Doc, etc

BLOGGING.

All the blogs and science lessons will be displayed on Mr Palmers blog: 

http://mrpalmersscience.blogspot.com/

Bookmark it!

Expectations:

• 1 blog must be completed per Hurumanu lesson.
• A completed blog must have the four headings ( Aim, Method, Findings, Conclusion), correct writing and punctuation under each heading and be published. No post, no points.
• 2 images of the experiment/investigation on the blog.

Using the Scientific method of investigation:

Aim: What the experiment/investigation is about.

Method: Instructions on how the experiment/investigation is carried out. This includes the equipment.

Findings: What have we learnt or found out from our experiment/investigation. This is called Data, Information or Facts. It is displayed in a chart, table or picture.

Conclusion:  

2 Hurumanu Goals:

1. Work efficiently so that task is finished in the given time
2. Uploading more blog post and creating them so that they are of a high standard.

WATCH THIS VIDEO AND COMPLETE THE INVESTIGATION.

THE BIG PICTURE

• What animals keep our jackets warm? Plants like cotton as well as animals such as birds; silkworms, sheep-wool, etc.
• What animal makes our boots waterproof? The water-proofing was "invented" by the adaptation of ducks to be able to waddle in the water and float in it as well. While staying dry because of their waterproof feathers that not only keep them dry and warm.
• Where does the water in our rivers come from?  Rivers come from or originate from catchments which are basically a drainage basin. It is an area whereat the surface water from factors such as rainfall form to a body of water.
• Why do we need healthy rivers? We need healthy bodies of waters as there comes the tap water that we drink out of.
• What are some of the good things about mosquitoes? "One" of the good things that mosquitoes contribute to the ecosystem. Since mosquitoes dwell on wet environments and that is the location where they lay their young; it provides food for the animals that dwell in there as well. Like for small fishes which provide food for the big fishes that we get to eat.
• Why are bees dying? Some believe that it might be the fault of cellphone towers as such, pesticides, exotic insects like mites as well as foreign diseases. 
• What do bugs do to our leaves? Bugs such as bees pollinate approximately around 1/3 of the world crops, which would provide problems to our consumption of crops, plants, vegetables and fruits.
• R- Reduce
• R - Reuse
• R - Recycle
• How much dung would we be in if there were no dung decomposers? We would be covered in quite a lot of faeces to be specific a few feet of it in just several years.
• Who runs this planet?  The planet is run by itself, we are the planet and the planet  is us. For that reason as we are destroying the planet we are also destroying ourselves in the process.

GROUP ACTIVITY; 

1. Groups of 3 or 4 students.
2. Need A3 copy paper.

THE ICECAPS HAVE MELTED. MOST OF THE LAND IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN FLOODED AND YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE ON A BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. YOUR BOAT IS SUDDENLY STRUCK BY A STORM AND YOU BECOME SHIPWRECKED ON A SMALL ISLAND. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO SELECT 20 ITEMS FOR YOUR GROUP. A SECOND BOAT IS TRAVELLING NEAR YOU BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REACH YOU FOR 1 MONTH SO YOU NEED TO GATHER ENOUGH SUPPLIES TO LAST FOR A MONTH.

In your group you need to:

1. Make a list of the 10 things you are going to collect.
2. Draw a map of the island.
4. Draw and label the activities you will be involved with.

• Renewable energy sites ( wind, solar, hydro, )
• Living/shelter
• Growing food
• Write 3 sentences about how your group is going to live for the next month.

When you are drawing your map you need to list 4 places you can have renewable energy sites.

Drama Hurumanu

This term, after our P.E Hurumanu, we then altered to our next Hurumanu which is now 'Drama'.  I have not been in the first period of this lesson due to another subject; however, I was here for the second and here is what I've learnt. On the second period of this Hurumanu, we've started to look at the several parts of 'Te Whare Tapa Wha'. Which are also our Huora: Taha Tinana, Taha Wairua, Taha Whanau and Taha Hinengaro; we looked at the different ways that we could take care of those four dimensions of Huora. Subsequent to that, the class was then asked to form groups of which no more than four. In those groups, we had to perform what was called "freeze frame"(acting - where we had to use our selves to form an action to tell a story).  Each group had to 'act'/'Freeze Frame' that shows an or some aspects of Huora.  Then we hold each frame for approx 3 secs in which time the teacher will then take a photo.


We decided to Freeze Frame connected to our Taha Tinana(Physical Well-being)

Warm-up 

 Exercise

 Taking a rest

Boxing

Climate Change

Aim: To look at the causes of climate change and how to prevent it.

Climate Change video; The Facts video

As you watch the video answer these questions:

What is our greatest threat in thousands of years?

How do we see climate change affecting the globe?

1.   Climate change if given time would cause a serious mass extinction, several major species could potentially be extinct or will be on the brink of extinction.
2.   Our Arctic and Antarctic will be melting, causing our sea levels to rise from normal. This could pose many issues surrounding habitats of many animals including humans.
3. The globe will be warmer, that poses problems to us if climate change is not slowed or better, stopped; the temperatures might rise to an unlivable state.
4.   The sudden rise of temperatures will affect the climate, that could mean more drought and heatwaves; as well as stronger storms and hurricanes.

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED AT A FOLLOW UP:

What is needed to change history?

Is climate change a man-made disaster?

Dramatic action must be made in the next __ years to change it?

Why is our climate changing?

What is causing the warming trend of the climate?

What is the main problem?

What are examples of these?

Burning fossil fuels releases what gas?

How much hotter now is our world?

What do we call this global warming?

How is this affecting creatures/animals like bats?

What percentage of species are near extinction?

How could this affect the world ecosystems?

What global change was seen and recording breaking last year?

How is climate change affecting our weather systems?

1. 

2. 

3. 

What is another effect of climate change?

What will happen if the ice melts in Antarctica and the Arctic?

How does this affect people?

What other things affect oceans change?

What does to much heat due to coral?

Why did some industries not want to stop burning fossil fuels?

Investigation

You can decide on how you would like to do this investigation. Your presentation could be on the blog, slides, or powerpoint.

Investigate the different Fossil Fuels listed?

1. Coal
2. Oil

Write a paragraph and upload an image about each of these renewable energies.

Solar

Wind

Waves

Hydro

 Write a reflection about what you have learnt about Climate Change and how it is going to affect