3/31/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 64 (#5 can be ignored for now). Additionally, it is strongly recommended to look over Chapter 21 in Botkin and Keller to help fill in any gaps in knowledge. Your exam grade is present on PupilPath and you will be receiving it back tomorrow in class. If you are unhappy with your score, then time for exam corrections will be available on Wednesday and Thursday after school.

3/30/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 63 and read 21.3 from Botkin and Keller.

Assignment 63 Understanding Ozone and Ozone Depletion

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability.

1. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

A. Ozone near the surface of Earth protects us from ultraviolet radiation.

B. Ozone in the stratosphere protects us from harmful radiation from the Sun.

C. Exposure to ozone increases one’s risk of skin cancer.

D. Ozone is added to the atmosphere by fossil fuels.

E. Ozone can form in the deep ocean.

2. What role do chlorofluorocarbons play in the environment?

A. They add ozone to the troposphere.          D. They lead to the depletion of stratospheric ozone.

B. They add ozone to the stratosphere.          E. They no longer pose a threat to the environment.

C. They lead to the depletion of ground-level ozone.

3. The type(s) of ultraviolet radiation most strongly absorbed by ozone in the stratosphere would be

A. UVA.                                                            D. UVB and UVC.

B. UVB.                                                            E. UVA and UVB.

C. UVC.

Free Response Practice

4. In the mid 1970s, Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina predicted a thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer over Antarctica. The thinning was confirmed in the late twentieth century and has continued into the twenty-first century.

a. Identify the class of chemical compounds that is primarily responsible for the thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer and describe TWO major uses for which these chemicals were manufactured.

b. Describe how the chemical compounds that you identified in part a. destroy stratospheric ozone molecules. You may include chemical equations as part of your answer.

c. Identify the major environmental consequence of the depletion of stratospheric ozone and describe TWO effects on ecosystems and/or human health that can result.

d. Ozone formed at ground level is a harmful pollutant. Describe TWO effects that ground-level ozone can have on ecosystems and/or human health.

3/26/15 and 3/27/15

This weekend's homework is to complete Assignment 62. There will be a check-in tomorrow regarding our discussions of climate change thus far. Also, you should read this (and the associated pages) or 20.5 (How We Study Climate) in Botkin and Keller.

Remember that the APES review session will be held at the Museum School from 9:00 to 3:00 on Saturday.

Resources from today
Today's Powerpoint about what to do about climate change

3/25/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 61.

Resources
Powerpoint presentation from class today

3/24/15 and Mock Exam Resources

Tonight's homework is to review the mock exam and produce a study aid (ex. review sheet, flash cards, etc.). You should bring this study aid to class tomorrow. Below are several resources to aid you in this process.

Here are a few ideas:
- look at the questions related to pollution and climate change (especially those you may have gotten incorrect) and make flash cards/a review sheet with the terms and definitions
- focus on the questions about old material

Mock Exam Multiple Choice Key

Mock Exam Multiple Choice Answers + Explanations - this could be pretty helpful! It's got the questions, the answers, an explanation of why the answer is what it is, along with which unit/topic the question is aligned with, and what proportion of students in 2008 got it right

Free Response Scoring Guide - also very useful - just saying.

FRQ Scoring Commentary (i.e. what students did well/messed up in 2008)

FRQ #1 Sample Student Responses

FRQ #2 Sample Student Responses

FRQ #3 Sample Student Responses

FRQ #4 Sample Student Responses

3/23/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 60 (hypothesis, graph, and data analysis). Tomorrow we will go over the Mock Exam.

Assignment 60 - Investigating the Effects of a Greenhouse Gas

Introduction

Global climate change is defined as changes in any aspects of the Earth’s climate, including temperature, precipitation, and storm intensity and patterns. This activity will focus on one of those variables: temperature.

Global average temperature has fluctuated over the past 4.7 billion years. Over the past 900,000 years, the troposphere has experienced prolonged periods of global cooling and global warming. Such periods can be caused by a number of factors:

•       Changes in the length of Earth’s elliptical orbit around the Sun every 100,000 years.

•       Changes in the tilt of the Earth’s axis as it rotates around the Sun every 40,000 years.

•       The direction of the tilt of Earth’s axis wobbles with a period of 26,000 years.

•       Changes in outputs of energy by the Sun related to 11-year sunspot and 22-year solar magnetic cycles.

•       Large volcanic eruptions.

•       Changes in levels of greenhouse gases in the troposphere.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s lower troposphere and surface because of greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat reradiated from Earth’s surface and are essential to keep the global average temperature high enough to sustain life. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. While these gases have been present in the troposphere throughout Earth’s history, their concentrations have significantly increased since the Industrial Revolution. These increases result from burning fossil fuels, clearing and burning forests, and planting rice and using inorganic fertilizers. Global warming is a warming of the Earth’s atmosphere because of increases in the concentration of one or more greenhouse gases.

Today we are going to investigate the effects of carbon dioxide on a surface’s ability to retain heat.

“Investigating the Effects of a Greenhouse Gas” Analysis Questions

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability in complete sentences.

1. Form a hypothesis. How do you think the temperature change will be different when the container is filled with added carbon dioxide compared to when it is filled with just air?

2. Thoroughly analyze your data. This means that you should:

·         Graph your data

·         Make inferences and evaluate your hypothesis

·         Support your conclusions by referring to your data

·         Try to explain what happened 

Resources from Today's Class
Climate change presentation from class today

11BD

Time (minutes)	Temp. (◦C) – added CO2	Temp. (◦C) – no added CO2	Concentration CO2 (ppm) – added CO2	Concentration CO2 (ppm) – no added CO2
0	23	26
5	33	40
10	38	42	1250	1225
15	34	37	9950	1150
20	31	30	9406	1111
25	28	27	6400	1098

12BD

Time (minutes)	Temp. (◦C) – added CO2	Temp. (◦C) – no added CO2	Concentration CO2 (ppm) – added CO2	Concentration CO2 (ppm) – no added CO2
0	53	56	1815	1575
5	40	56	7542	1647
10	32	39	2745	1495
15	29	33	2240	1543
20	28	31	1943	1572

3/20/15

Thank you for your hard work on the mock exam and the energy exam. Your only homework is to finish reading Chapter 20 in the textbook (and the article from class today if you somehow did not/could not do that).

ONE FAVOR TO ASK THOUGH: I need your mock exam Scantrons back. Please bring them with you to class on Monday. Thank you.

And it may look a little dark right now for Wheltonian Democracy. Maybe Iowa State wasn't a strong bet. But just you wait. Just. You. Wait.

3/19/15

For Monday, you should finishing reading Chapter 20 from Botkin and Keller and then complete the back of Assignment 58.

3/17/15 and 3/18/15

Tonight you should study for the Energy Resources exam. Work on your brackets if/when you need a break - they're due tomorrow.

Nonrenewable and Renewable Energy Resources Exam Prep

Topics of Interest (in progress):

nature of energy and 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics

how electricity is produced

energy units - watts, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours

prefixes - kilo, mega, giga, tera

calculations - dimensional analysis, half-life determinations

the following energy resources - definitions, examples, advantages, and disadvantages:

coal

oil

natural gas

nuclear energy
wind power
solar energy
hydroelectric power

geothermal energy
biomass/biofuels
hydrogen fuel cells

Student Opportunities

Students can apply for a 2 weeks coding summer program with a $2000 fellowship. 

Details and the application at: http://flatironschool.com/dosomething

The Center for Excellence in Youth Education, housed in the Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is pleased to announce the opening of our Summer Program Application!

This summer, we will offer three hands-on, project-based research courses for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In addition, rising seniors are encouraged to apply to our Hospital Placement internship program. Do keep in mind that students who participate in one of our research courses, will receive preference for the internship program should they choose to apply during their junior year!

The new application and course descriptions are attached to this e-mail and will be posted on our website at: www.icahn.mssm.edu/ceyesummer. More specific directions related to the application process and requirements can be found on the coversheet of the application attached here.

Please note that applications are due April 2, 2015 and only students with complete applications will be considered.

Please also find a flyer for our upcoming Brain Awareness Fair on Thursday, March 19th, a hands-on event open to students of all ages! Lastly, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ceye.cmca<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.facebook.com_ceye.cmca&d=AwMFaQ&c=4R1YgkJNMyVWjMjneTwN5tJRn8m8VqTSNCjYLg1wNX4&r=ng8QVCzHUoNpy7rQOKd78VBQ8i4tDC6dzHD_hsCEq4g&m=AWIBirqSkx-DE6ItooSyFAkSmzyW-OaE_vyVryMVMDk&s=KWzz-Yqn_B_WBxPncMJkgdBEYb_eHnUaynRX-XGskpE&e=  to see more of what we do at Mount Sinai.

3/16/15

Tonight's homework is to focus upon studying/preparing for Wednesday and Thursday's energy resources exam.

Additionally, you should complete Assignment 59 by interpreting the graphs and reading Chapter 20 in Botkin and Keller for next Monday, 3/23.

March Madness

Click here to set up your Men's tournament bracket and here to set up your Women's tournament bracket. Use the password we discussed during class (our mascot with only the first letter capitalized). Pick well, win, and earn some extra credit.

3/13/15

I really appreciate all of you working hard on the mock exam today and last week. I'll get it all graded and back to you so we can discuss it ASAP.

This weekend's homework is to complete Assignment 57 in order to help you prepare for the Energy unit exam next Wednesday and Thursday.

In order to answer question 10 iii., it may be helpful to know that the formula for the combustion of methane is: CH4 + 2O2 --> CO2 + 2H2O

3/12/15

There is no written homework tonight. Why not review for the mock exam or for the energy exam next Wednesday and Thursday?

If you're interested, here is an interesting article about growing corn for ethanol from the companion book to Food, Inc.

3/11/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 56 (from class today) and read 16.7 and 16.8. There will be a check-in tomorrow about the week's material.

Assignment 55 Answers (minus letter A)

3/10/15

Tonight's homework is to:

1. make sure that Assignment 55 is completed.
2. think about solar/wind power and develop (in other words, write a paragraph including) a question, hypothesis, and very brief experimental plan to test tomorrow. Think about variables that could impact the amount of electricity generated such as angles, orientation, how you arrange the panels, etc.
3. sign up for the APES Review Session on 3/28. See the previous post for the link.

Resources
Basic Wind Experiment Kit Manual
Sun Angle Science Kit Manual

3/9/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 54B which requires you to click here and use the guide to score your classmate's Assignment 54A. Both Assignment 54A and 54B will be collected tomorrow. In addition, you should read 16.2 and 16.6 from Botkin and Keller.

NOTE: If you were not present in class today, then it is your responsibility to complete and check your Assignment 54A tonight in order to complete Assignment 54B.

If you are planning on attending the next AP review session on Saturday, March 28th at the Museum School (remember, extra credit, exam prep, pizza, good times, and pizza), then please sign up here. Last, I would like everybody to sign up for a Pear Deck account at peardeck.com. You do not need to go to peardeck.com and sign up (but feel free to go and check it out) - all you need is a gmail account.

3/6/15

Thanks to everybody for giving up some of their time to get the first part of the mock exams done. Your homework for this weekend is to complete Assignments 53 and 54. Assignment 53 can be found in the previous post and Assignment 54 is to complete FRQ #1 from the 2012 APES exam.

3/5/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 53 - however, it is due on Monday (in case you want to prepare for the mock exam tomorrow). Reminders: 11BD takes the mock exam from 1:20 until 3:10. If this impacts internship, etc., then please reach out to me so I can prepare a note for your supervisor, etc. 12BD takes the mock exam from either 9:45 until 11:35 or 10:40 until 12:30 (depending on when you have study hall). Please bring a pencil.

Assignment 53 This Is Your Dam Assignment

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability in complete sentences.

1. Describe how hydroelectric dams work to generate electricity.

2. The city of Fremont is located on the Ogden River which swells and floods each spring as snow melts. The city council leader proposes to build a dam with a hydroelectric power plant. As a member of the city council it is your job to determine the wishes of your citizens and vote on the proposal accordingly.

a. What are some potential benefits of building such a structure?

b. What concerns do you have about constructing the hydroelectric dam?

c. What other information would you like to have in order to make an informed decision?

3. How does hydroelectric power relate to our discussions about sustainability?

Resources

Powerpoint presentation on hydroelectric power

3/4/15

Tonight's homework is to complete your Home Electricity Audit for tomorrow. See previous posts for help/resources. Also, remember that 1 ton is equal to 2,000 pounds.

3/3/15

The United States would need 1,000 new nuclear power plants to completely replace fossil fuels.

What questions would you need answered in order to evaluate the expansion of nuclear power?

• How do nuclear reactors work?
• What are the advantages of using nuclear energy to generate electricity?
• What happens to nuclear waste?
• What are the dangers of radioactivity/using nuclear power?
• Have there ever been problems with nuclear reactors?

Assignment 52 - Thinking About Nuclear Power

Answer one of the following two questions.

1. Knowing what you now know, do you approve of the Indian Point nuclear power plant operating within 50 miles of New York City? Support your answer.

2. Should the United States increase or decrease the number of nuclear power plants? Support your answer.

Answer the following question.

3. How sustainable is using nuclear energy to generate (as we currently know it)?

Some useful resources
Our Textbook - check Chapter 18
Nuclear Energy - EPA.gov
How Nuclear Power Works
Animations of Nuclear Reactors at Work
10 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power
Fukuskima Nuclear Reactor Problem Explained (CNN)

3/2/15

Tonight's homework is to:

1. continue working/completing Part 2 of the Home Electricity Audit.

2. write a solid, supported response (~1 page) to the following, "Should New York State approve hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within its borders?" Support your answer with evidence from...

Gastown (streaming on Netflix or available here)
your notes
the textbook
the readings from the weekend (previous post)

The Debate on Fracturing - NY Times
10 Considerations about Shale Gas Drilling from the U.S. Experience - PSE
Natural Gas May Be Easier On Climate Than Coal, Despite Methane Leaks - NPR
The Evolving Truth about Fracking for Natural Gas - Scientific American (click on the Storify link within)
Learning Too Late of the Perils in Gas Well Leases - NY Times