Science Reflection

In class, we did an activity on predator, and prey. The exercise included elk, aspen, wolves, and other animals. The activity was based on Yellowstone National Park. First, this activity was a fun hands on experience. The elk would eat the aspen, and then wolves would come to eat the elk. Each animal was a student in the class. During this activity, I was an elk, and it showed that they were easily found from wolves. Also, to make this activity more realistic, the elk had to go find plastic, green leaves around the classroom. Some were more hidden than others, but to survive we needed two. As more people participated, finding leaves started to become harder. Towards the end of the activity we did in class, two wolves had to catch an elk before they got their leaves. We recorded the amount of wolves, elk and other animals at the end of class.
In this class activity, I learned a lot, while having lots of fun at the same time. I think the purpose of this is to learn about food webs, as well as predator and prey. I learned that if you take out one animal in an area, it changes many things. for example, If you take out the wolf in this situation, there would more more elk, to eat the aspen trees. This means that there wouldn't be as many aspen leaves for the other animals around the park. This activity was also very fun, because we got be apart of it, and it was easier to see what goes on, when people act it out. Also, when we added more and more people to the exercise it got more interesting, and became more of a challenge.

Science current event #2

"Skunks Strategy not, just black and white"

Researchers discovered recently, that Skunks may not only be avoided because of their smell. They think that it could be because of the black and white design in their fur. Skunks predators could be afraid of them because of their body shape, too. Hunter, a scientist, decided to do an experiment on this. He dyed stuffed skunks and foxes. The skunks he dyed gray and black, and the foxes he dyed white and black. He did this because he wanted to see if the skunks had a distinctive shape, not only smell and appearance. He located these in California where they are not very common. This happened around October, 21, 2008. Researchers did this because they wanted to know if skunks were a true threat, and if their body shape and coloration really turned off predators. The results were that most animals would sniff, or lick the stuffed skunks but most would mostly avoid them.

In my opinion, I think that this experiment was true, and that it is true that skunks may be a threat to other animals. I also think that they do have a shape, and a distinctive body shape that would have other animals avoiding it. Hunter also said in the article that some animals may not even eat skunks. I agree with this statement, because I think that maybe they just eat grass, and then die, so decomposers break them up. In conclusion, I think that Skunks are not just avoided because of their smell, I think it could be of their shape and coloration, too.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092053.htm

current event #1

"Relocating animals"

Animals such as the elephant, cheetah, and lions might move to a new habitat. Some ecologists think that they should move them out into greater, more open plains in North America. People started to think about this event around November 11, 2005. They want to move these animals because they are endangered and they feel that relocating them may help. Also, ecologists believe it is a good way for wilderness preservation. The process is called, "rewilding." You would get some of the endangered species and send them off to north american places for them to try to live in a new niche. Josh Donlan of Cornell University says that it could restore the proper enviornmental balance and save many animals from going extinct. This is a new approach, and could change the way we think about wilderness.

I think that this is a good strategy to help out other animals. We have to consider that we aren't the only living organisms that need to be taken care of. Although this is a good idea, I also think that the ecologists should talk about it with the group of people who live nearby. This is because they may not agree with having wild animals live close by them. Also, when the animals move, it may be hard for them to adapt to a certain environment they aren't used to. Overall I don't think this is too bad of an idea, but it could be better. For example, the endangered species could become over populated and start to eat things from the food chains that would keep other organisms alive. It may result in having other species endangered, and North Americans unhappy.

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EPF/is_10_105/ai_n15860748/

Summer Reading Question

A Gift of Magic

The character that I identify with most, would probably be Nancy. I don't have ESP, but that actual character is who I can relate to most. Nancy is more on the optimist side of life, and thats where I am, too. Also, she is very kind towards others around her. Nancy is a good student, and does well in school work. I relate to this, too because I have good grades in school. Nancy is very upset when she finds out that her siser has a broken leg, and could possibly not dance again. I wouldn't try to hurt my siblings, but I would also feel bad if I felt responsible for something that my brother wanted that I had messed up. We also both think ahead of times, and make plans for the future. These are many things that I relate to with the character Nancy.

But, we also have many differences such as I like to dance, like Kirby, and be athletic. I am also very socaiable, and probably wouldn't be so mad if someone tried to help me improve a talent of mine. Like how Mr, Duncan wanted to improve and test Nancy's ESP.

Bullying (Man's inhumanity to Man)

I think that our society can't stop bullying because we always talk about not bullying, or standing up for one another, when we bully each other ourselves. Some of this, we are unaware of, whether you're joking with your friends, or letting go of a little anger on someone. You may not think that if someone called you a name, such as a friend, means anything, and you are not offended. On the other hand, even your closest friends could get offended by that remark and not say anything to you. This is a reason why bullying is so hard to stop.
People talk about standing up for one another, when you see someone who feels unsafe, or uncomfortable. This usually only happens when we know the person real well, or have talked to them before. Also, this doesn't mean that no one ever stands up for anyone, or helps them feel secure, but around crossroads we have groups of friends that we're comfortable in, and for some people it is hard to do things that we aren't used to.
This relates to Lord of the flies, because Jack is always bullying Piggy, and no one really knows Piggy enough to stand up for him. Ralph is the closest to Piggy, since they were each others company in the beginning of the book. He probably doesn't stop Jack from bullying Piggy, because he doesn't want to loose Jack as a friend. Also, some people may think that if they stand up for Piggy that Jack with start to pick on them, too.

Welcome Scientists

My favorite subject is Science, because in class we do many fun, interesting things such as labs and talk about the world around us. I like learning about all the different animals and how to put them into categories.

The best book I ever read was called Alphas. This book was a book that I read over the summer and I really liked it!

My favorite food to buy in the cafeteria are cookies.

On the weekend, when all my chores are done, I like to hang out with my friends, and go outside.

If I won a free airline ticket to any place I wanted, I would go to Aruba, because I love warm weather and the beach.

My favorite color is pink, because its a bright color.

If I had a pet, it would be a dog, and I would name it Bailey.

This year, if I work hard enough, I hope to achieve my top goals, such as trying to be more optimistic towards life.