5/29/15

Today we retested our solar heaters outside and then began to work to determine how efficient they are. Here is where we recorded our data and started our calculations. We will test our heaters once again indoors on Monday in order to determine if our redesigns and changes produced actual improvements.

5/28/15

Today we revised, improved, and optimized our solar heater designs. Tomorrow we will test our designs and heaters one more time and calculate the amount of energy it captures and the temperature change it produces.

5/27/15

Today in class we tested our solar heaters and performed some calculations. The template for that work can be found here. You can complete Part 2 of the project tonight, but we will also spend time finishing it in class tomorrow.

5/22/15

This is no written homework this weekend. Maybe work on your solar heater or... your EXHIBITION. We'll work on the solar heaters on Tuesday and then test them on Wednesday.

And for the seniors, this was 403 during periods 3 and 4. Thanks?

5/21/15

Today we started to implement our designs and build solar heaters. We will be continuing tomorrow and Tuesday.

5/20/15

There is no formal science homework tonight.

5/19/15

Tonight - in addition to working on your exhibition - you could/should work on the design for your solar heater. Here is the guide from class today.

Please bring in a plastic drink bottle (~20 oz.), an aluminum drink can, and/or any unneeded cardboard you have at home. Thank you.

5/18/15

There is no homework tonight. Work on that exhibition!

5/14/15 (and 5/15/15)

Solid work today. Tonight and tomorrow's homework will be to continue to prepare to formally discuss climate change mitigation strategies in class on Monday. This means that you could be evaluated on your ability to form a clear claim/argument (ex. about how we should approach climate change), support that argument/claim with evidence and rationale, be respectful to other students, and speak clearly and confidently.

Tomorrow in class you will view your classmates' Stabilization Wedges and evaluate them according to how different stakeholders would respond.

5/13/15

Tonight's homework is to:

1. complete what is left of Assignment 78A - namely #7: Once your stabilization triangle is finished, write a half page explaining and supporting your approaches to achieving carbon emissions stabilization. If you were absent from class then you should go through Assignment 78A and then this presentation.

2. try to read at least one more article about climate change mitigation strategies and watch at least one video clip. Based on what you worked on today, think about the most interesting, efficient, effective, etc. methods for stabilizing carbon emissions and mitigating the greenhouse effect
.
Again, if you find an interesting article, then please feel free to email it to me.

Additional articles
Carbon stabilization strategies
EXTREMELY USEFUL Powerpoint presentation about the Carbon Stabilization Strategies/Game

5/12/15

I appreciate all of you hanging tough on the trip today - we had to walk and the heat was a little rough, but we made the most of it. Your homework is to complete Assignment 77 based on the trip and what you already know about wastewater treatment. Don't sweat it if you have some trouble with the questions (not everything from the trip related to them) - we can/will discuss some of the questions tomorrow in class.

Assignment 77 Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Visit Comprehension Questions

Answer the following questions to the best of your ability on another piece of paper in complete sentences.

1. Describe what happens to wastewater as it moves through the treatment facility.

2. Draw a diagram to illustrate the process you described in #1.

3. What are your reactions towards/thoughts about what you viewed today? Explain yourself and be specific whenever possible.

5/11/15

Today in class we started to investigate and discuss how to combat and mitigate climate change and its impacts. We read this and if you were absent (for some reason, students took it upon themselves to opt out of class to watch another period of debates), then you should read it ASAP - and make sure you make up the reading check from today also. Our goal is to become better versed in potential methods for combating and mitigating climate change so as to discuss and debate them formally on Monday of next week - and become more informed voters and citizens.

It is really important that you get the permission slip signed if you have not done so already. Please bring it to class tomorrow. Check the previous post for links to obtain a copy of the permission slip. If you brought it in previously, then you are all set.

Tonight's homework is to read at least one more article about climate change mitigation strategies and watch at least one video clip. Based on what you read today, think about the most interesting/feasible/worthwhile/etc. strategies and try to do research on them on your own. If you find an interesting article, then please feel free to email it to me.

Related articles (more will be posted)
Climate Change Mitigation - United Nations Environment Programme (click on the different options to learn more)
Cities Will Solve Climate Change, Not Nations

Video clips
Geoengineering (changing albedo) against climate change
Hopeful lessons from the battle to save rainforests
The state of the climate and what we might do about it
A reality check on renewable energy resources
How to fight desertification and reverse climate change
Fusion is energy's future

TED's "The End of Oil" playlist

5/8/15

This weekend's homework is to read "Storm of the Century" (or try this if the first link doesn't work). Be ready to answer a few simple questions about it.

ALSO: the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility trip is rescheduled for Tuesday. Please get the permission slips (here and here) signed and return them on Monday.

Optional Reading
Dangerous Global Warming Closer Than You Think, Climate Scientists Say

5/7/15

Your homework (yeah, we're back on it) is to watch VICE's "Greenland Is Melting" (first part of episode) and/or "Deliver Us From Drought" (second part of episode - about 15 minutes in). You're doing this to reintroduce yourself to the real and potential impacts of climate change. Tomorrow we will read about and further discuss the consequences of climate change.

Optional - Check out "Chasing Ice" (it's streaming on Netflix) and/or look at the IPCC's (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 2014 Report on Climate Change - (it's intense - here's the summary for policymakers and the chapter on the impacts for North America).

5/6/15

There is no homework tonight. If you get a chance, then you should read this awesome (but morbid) article:

"This What Happens To Your Body After You Die" - Moheb Costandi

In Class - 5/515

Click here to access the class survey.

5/4/15

You're (basically) done! Good job and great effort today. Get some rest and tomorrow we'll reconvene, relax a bit, and then work to determine what comes next.

Pollution Exam Answers

Multiple Choice
Free Response #1 - except that for the first part I opened up the question and allowed to discuss nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter
Free Response #2

5/1/15

This weekend, you should study. Just study. Come to the review session and spend some time reviewing on Sunday, but be sure to get a lot of rest.

Be here for 8:15 on Monday so we can get the exam started as quickly and painlessly as possible. And bagels? Oh yes, there will be bagels. I'll pick up a few different types and some spreads.

Good luck preparing. You are almost there.