Issue 6
Society
Outlet
Media
Science
Of
Circle
By: Adam, Andrew, Ashlyn,
Cheyenne, Kayla , Kelsey
Editor: Mr. Riddle
December 2, 2016
SLCS
12/2/16
Science in the minds of…
9th graders
For this science in the minds we picked the 9th graders. We asked 5 random
questions about science and the 9th graders did pretty well answering the questions.
The first question was “what is the percentage of Earth covered with water?” The three
students got it wrong, but one of them was within 4% of the correct answer 71%.
Then we asked “what is the hardest substance in your body?” Bone was the obvious
choice, however, enamel is the right answer.
The third was “how many states of matter are there?” Most of the student got it right
with the correct answer being four.
For the fourth question we asked “what do the hachure marks represent on the
topographic map?” One student got the correct answer being, depression lines.
For the fifth question we asked “what are the two major metals in the earth’s core?”
Two of them got it half right, but the correct answer was Iron and Nickel.
For the final question “which planet has the big red spot?” most of them got it correct,
being Jupiter.
Andrew: What is the percentage of Earth
covered with water?
Cameron: 75%
Andrew: What is the hardest substance in
your body?
Cameron: Bones.
Andrew: How many states of matter are
there?
Cameron: 3
Andrew: What does the hachure marks
represent on the topographic map?
Cameron: Depression lines.
Andrew: What are the two major metals in
the Earth’s Core?
Cameron: The inner and outer core.
Andrew: Which planet has the big red spot?
Cameron: Saturn.
Andrew: What is the percentage of Earth
covered with water?
Zayne: 53%
Andrew: What is the hardest substance in your
body?
Zayne: Bone Marrow.
Andrew How many states of matter are there?
Zayne: 4
Andrew: What does the hachure marks
represent on the topographic map?
Zayne: The distance or how elevated it is.
Andrew: What are the two major metals in the
Earth’s Core?
Zayne: Nickel and Silver.
Andrew: Which planet has the big red spot?
Zayne: Jupiter.
SLCS
Science in the minds of…
9th graders
Andrew: What is the percentage of Earth covered with water?
Amber: 60%
Andrew: What is the hardest substance in your body?
Amber: Bones.
drew: How many states of matter are there.
Amber: 4.
Andrew: What does the Hachure marks represent on the topographic map?
Amber: River valley mark.
Andrew: what are the two major metals in the earth’s core
Amber: Copper and Iron.
Andrew: Which planet has the big red spot?
Amber: Jupiter.
Ms. Barker recently made white boards for
science department to use with their students.
12/2/16
SLCS
12/2/16
Check labels on chemical containers.
Labs to do at Home:
What you’ll need;
-Light Sensitive Paper
-Tacks
-Dish Rag
-Feathers (or any object really)
-Sheet of cardboard
-Heavy book (textbooks work well)
-Tray with water inside
Steps1-Use a sheet of the light sensitive paper, pin it to the cardboard using the
tacks. Arrange the feathers or objects on the paper quickly! Now wait and make sure
nothing moves while the sun does its job!
2-The paper will change colors. Remove the feathers from the paper. Then
remove the paper from the sheet of cardboard. Where the feather was should be a
print of the feather.
3- Quickly dunk the paper in the tray of water. Leave the paper in the water
for a few minutes.
4- Lay the towel out flat and place the piece on one side of the towel, folding
over the other half of the towel to cover both sides of the artwork. Put the book on
top of the towel, this will help the drying process!
5-Once it’s dry, it’s done, you have created a piece of art using science!
How It WorksThe light sensitive paper is covered with chemicals that react when exposed
to UV rays. When the paper is dunked in the water the chemicals stay in areas
where the UV rays haven’t touched and the reacted chemicals wash away making a
deep blue.
SLCS
12/2/16
Circle of Life
The Thorny Dragon or Thorny Devil is an Australian lizard that grows up to 8
inches, weighs similar to a mouse and can live up to 15-20 years. The Thorny
Dragon feeds on ants and can eat up to a thousand ants each day. The coolest thing
about the thorny dragon is that it has thorny spikes that can blend into its
surrounding. The body has a rigid structure which aids the Dragon in getting its
water. The spikes have little channels along the Dragon’s body which allows them to
collect water, where it proceeds to funnel towards the mouth. The Dragon has a
false head on its neck which is used to misdirect the predator. The dragons will dip
their real head down revealing the appearance of a fake head. The Thorny Dragon
can be found in the Australian desert.
http://a-z-animals.com/animals/thorny-devil/
http://www.genesispark.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Thorny-Devil.jpg
SLCS
12/2/16
Do butterflies remember life as a caterpillar?
yes
no
We asked 40 randomly selected SLCS
students “Do butterflies remember life as a
caterpillar?” 60% got it correct.
Comet
40%
60%
Star
What are the shooting stars scientifically
called in the sky?
Stars
Other
Meteor's
Shiny things
3%8%
We asked 40 randomly selected SLCS
students “What are the Shooting Stars
scientifically called in the sky?” 43% got it
correct.
48%
43%
No
Yes
SLCS
12/2/16
What do we call an organism that lives on a
host which it usually injures?
spider
fly
Parasite
20%
We asked 40 randomly selected SLCS
students “What do we call an organism that
lives on a host which it usually injures?”
68% got it right.
13%
68%
How many teaspoons make one tablespoon?
four
three
six
13%
30%
58%
We asked 40 randomly selected SLCS
students “How many teaspoons make one
tablespoon?” 58% got it correct.
SLCS
12/2/16
For this Issue, we interviewed Mr. Riddle, our middle school science teacher. We
got an update on what his students are learning in class. Also, we got some insight on
how he became a science teacher and what topics of science he likes.
The first question we asked was, “What are your students currently learning in
Science class?” He informed us that the “9th grade earth science is learning about
minerals and how to identify them.” The “8th grade physical science is learning about
forces, work and energy.” The “7th grade life science is learning about cell processes”
like, “mitosis.”
“What is your favorite topic in Science?” was our next question. He responded
saying that Earth Science and Physics were his two favorite. We proceeded to ask “why
he liked them?” He said that he liked “Earth Science because I like to understand the
place that we live on” “I like to understand the intricacies of it, how it is the way it is and
why it is the way it is.” He goes on to explain that “some have answers and some don’t
but we search” “and we do science to try and figure it out.” The reason why he liked
Physics was also explained saying that it is fun “because Physics helps us understand
how the whole entire universe works. It puts it into perspective mathematically.”
Our next question was “Have you ever been on any science team outside of
school?” He told us that when he “[I] was in college there was a few of us that were a part
of a club that we called Geo Invasion.” “The objective of that club was to go out and
examine local topography mountain areas and try and figure out the rock types and the
formations of the local high peaks.”
At the end of the interview, we decided to ask what made him decide to teach
science. He said that he was an Environmental science major but he wanted to stay in
this area as well. Since “there wasn’t a lot of Environmental science jobs in the area,” he
spoke with his advisor during his “third or fourth year of college.” “They said that I could
switch to geology.” With this he could move on to masters in education. “After being in the
geology program for awhile, I realized that it might be kind of fun to continue and get my
masters.” “I wound up here and” “ended up staying in the area.”
We followed the last question with asking, “Do you like your job?” He said, “I
absolutely like my job.”
SLCS
12/2/16
Trout Project
This year our College Biology class has had the privilege of taking care of
the trout. Everyday, at the end of our 7th period class, we turn off the water valves
as well as feed the fish. We also cleaned the little fish tank before they were
released. Though these jobs seem to be little they are very important to the
success of the system. It has been a good opportunity to see the fish continue to
grow.
SLCS
12/2/16
The Comic Galaxy
By: Adam
SLCS
12/2/16
Current Events
The Bee Extinction!
If bees went extinct, the human race would too. Reason being, bees do 70% of
the pollination of most plants. No bees means no pollination, which means no fruits
and veggies, which also means no cattle or milk, which ultimately results in the
extinction of the human race. The bee population is rapidly declining due to the
pesticides and pollution in the air, causing global warming.
We caused this to happen so it’s our job to fix it. So be kind to our planet
because it’s the only one we have. Grow organic food because it'll help save the bees,
and try to limit the amount of pollutants you create. The human race depends on it!
Our efforts to fix the environment include lowering the amount of pollution from
fossil fuels. If the bees were to go extinct, eventually we would run out of bio fuel
which is the healthier alternative. In turn this would result in the continuation of
pollution from fossil fuels.
The human race and the environment itself, relies heavily on bees for survival.
Out of all plants, 130 species are pollinated by bees. The others can pollinate with the
air, which is a slower and less reliable way of pollination.
https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/bee-extinction-means-end-humanity.html
http://www.globalresearch.ca/death-and-extinction-of-the-bees/5375684
Search the COSMOS
ThornyDragon
Pink
Prototype
Earth
Planets
Saturn
Flamingo
Pluto
Technology
SLCS
12/2/16
COSMOS Question
Why do eyes change color?
Have you ever wondered why your eyes change colors? There are
many factors that come into play. Some reasons could include, surroundings,
emotions, or age. When you’re in different moods like happy or sad, your body
releases a hormone that changes the size of your pupil making your eye color
lighten. If your eye color changed when you were a baby, that is because of
the genes in your body and also the melanin level in your body. When you
grow older, the melanin level increases around your eye. This increase causes
a change in eye color. Color may also appear to change because of what you
are wearing, but this is mostly an illusion. So who knows, maybe your eye
color will change when you get older!
http://www.healtreatcure.org/how-to-change-eye-color/why-do-eye-change-colormood-emotions-age-season/
SLCS
Fun Fact:
12/2/16
In Indonesia there is a volcano that
spews blue “lava.” Is it actually lava
though?? No, it is light emitted by
sulfuric gases, which come out of the
crevices of the volcano. Once the
sulfuric acid is exposed to the air it
ignites, sending out massive flames.
Some of the gases turn to liquid
which is why the lava appears blue.
Check this out on the school
website to see the color version!
Howard, Brian Clark. "Stunning Electric-Blue Flames Erupt From
Volcanoes." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 30
Jan. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014
Awkward Science
Flamingos
Did you know that flamingos can only eat with their head upside down? This is due
to them having a larger beak on the bottom and a smaller one on the top. This is the
opposite of other birds. So, the flamingos top beak acts like a bottom beak would on
different birds.
Also flamingos are not naturally pink, they are born with grey feathers. Over time,
some of them gain the pink colors we are familiar with due to their diet. Flamingos eat
shrimp and algae that are high in canthaxanthin or carotenoids.
http://animals.mom.me/flamingo-eat-its-head-upside-down-5999.html
http://www.sciencefocus.com/qa/why-are-flamingos-pink
http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/7D.html
SLCS
Sweat Detectors
Sweat detectors are patches that stick to your skin on
your forearm. The sensors can read what is
happening in your body by the sweat you produce.
Someday, these could possibly be an alternative to
blood tests, could be used to diagnose certain disease
and even detect drug usage. The makers are hoping
to make these patches cost around $1.50!
Zuta Pocket Printer
This printer is only the size of three hockey pucks
stacked together. It is said that it can print on almost
any kind of paper. The creators of this printer was Zuta
Labs based in Jerusalem. In order to print, the person
turns on the device, line it up with the corner of the
page and then send the document to it. It can print on
a standard size of paper. It has “omni wheels” which
lets it turn anyway. There are laser sensors that help
control the movement. If you send multiple documents
to the printer, it will stop at the end of each page until
you place it onto a new page. It only prints in black but
will hopefully print in color soon. If you pre order this
printer it will cost about $199 but it is said that once it
is released it will cost $250.
Google DeepMind AI
Google Deep-mind AI, is manufactured
allowing robots to dream in order for them to
learn at a faster pace. The way I see this, It’s
the beginning of the end of the human race!
12/2/16
SLCS
12/2/16
Mr. Riddle’s science class testing stored energy
using simple slingshots.
SLCS
12/2/16
What’s happening SLCS readers,
The COSMOS newsletter is seemingly successful. We received a lot of positive
comments and we thank you. For future issues we’d like your feedback and any
ideas you would like to see included. Please contact us with your comments or
questions. Our emails are the following:
Adam- [email protected]
Cheyenne- [email protected]
Ashlyn- [email protected]
Andrew- [email protected]
Kayla- [email protected]
Kelsey- [email protected]
Sincerely, The COSMOS