Biology unit test Friday

Unit test for Ecology part 1 is this Friday for Biology classes.

APES retake and movie questions due tomorrow.

We are the first "state" to ban plastic bags by July 2015

https://www.turlockcitynews.com/news/item/3594-california-becomes-first-state-to-ban-plastic-bags

9/29

Chapter 3 review questions due today.  Quiz retake (if you want to) is this Wednesday.

I hope to start the movie "Food Inc." today to continue to build on our background understanding of the challenges to feed the growing human population projected to be 9 billion by 2050.

APES 9/25 BOOKS FRIDAY

Today we'll be reading an article about strategies to solve world food shortages.  After reading pick and chose which strategies you think are the best options and write up a summary in your notebook.

Each of you will pick one section from the following "myths of science" (no repeats per class)
research it, develop your perspective and present it to the class.  If you want to do this as partners you can. This is the link.
http://skepticalscience.com/argument.php

I would like chapter three review questions by Friday, but, you can turn them in on Monday and not be late.

9/23 APES QUIZ Wednesday Biology test Friday

APES quiz Wednesday.  Know the ecology vocabulary, three examples each of positive and negative feedback loops, and diagram the nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and water cycles INCLUDING HUMAN IMPACTS ON THEM from chapter 3.


Biology-Ecology packet part one due and test this Friday.

Keep an eye out for large cats roaming the streets, here's the link to the video taken of it.

http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-modesto/officials-search-for-mountain-lion-in-turlock/28182272

9/22 Fall equinox!

Fall equinox on Sunday, it's now Fall!

Here's the executive summary plan to combat "ARB"  Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/carb_national_strategy.pdf

Test Wednesday- chapter 2
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/science/explained/feedbacks

9/19 APES lab questions due

Happy Friday

Lab questions are due individually Friday.

Please read feedback section in book and the link from yesterday for quiz.

Interesting legislation to combat "antibiotic resistant bacteria" (ARB) signed as an executive order.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102013481#.

Have a great weekend!

9/18 APES bring books

This is a link for positive and negative feedback examples.  The scheduled quiz is now next week Wednesday.  Please know the cycles and feedback loops with examples.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/science/explained/feedbacks

BOOKS TOMORROW!!!

APES 9/17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnmCSXv0DB8&feature=youtu.be


Finish  bio magnification/bio accumulation lab today.  Some of you finished in 6th period today, go ahead and work on the review tomorrow (still have to bring in books though...I only have five).

Turn in the questions individually, you do not need to turn in a lab write up as a group (the questions cover that).

Please bring in books Thursday we will be working on the review questions for chapter 2 which are due that day.

World population clock link from US Census Bureau

http://www.census.gov/popclock/ 

APES 9/15

This is the link to the TED talks we'll be watching tomorrow for reducing desertification on the worlds grasslands using HM practices, and the international seed bank in Norway.

http://www.ted.com/talks/cary_fowler_one_seed_at_a_time_protecting_the_future_of_food

http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change#t-826098

Please familiarize with the cycling of matter from pages 62-70 in your book.  There will be a quiz this Thursday on those cycles.

I will collect your notebooks that day as well with the chapter two review questions included.

I hope to see everyone and meet your parents at back to school night!!!

9/12 Library

Use this link tomorrow during class and be sure to take notes on the sites you use.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/19375.html


Lab reports are due, if you need time to finish you can do it in class, one per group.

Finally, I need to check of that you can find specific data from the census site and make an Excel or Google graph from in.  ( 10 Points)

APES link to populations

http://factfinder2.census.gov/

Research how to make population pyramids from yesterdays link.

Use the census link to gather multiple sets of data starting with world population information.  Then pick a country to fucus on, finally local data to compare with other data.  Try to generate graphs in excel or Google to save and send to one, or, two other people to analyze the data.

LINK  Use this link to learn how to use Google spreadsheet for population pyramides

https://sites.google.com/a/boerneisd.net/chs-apes/related-games 

http://game.reefcheckaustralia.org/

APES 9/10

Please be sure to read chapter two and do the review questions as we did for chapter 1.  This is due next Thursday.

Lab reports are due Friday, and graph any data collected.  

We'll be in the career center and library Thursday and Friday, just meet there.  I'll leave a sign on the door in case you forget.
Here's a link to learn how to make population pyramids. (Ctrl and click) Population Pyramid Generator  

Here are examples of Deductive and Inductive reasoning.

Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning which goes from general to specific. Deductive reasoning is based on premises and if the premises are true, then the reasoning will be valid.

• All dolphins are mammals, all mammals have kidneys; therefore all dolphins have kidneys. 
• The Earth is a planet, and all planets orbit a sun, therefore the Earth orbits a sun.
• Snakes are reptiles and reptiles are cold-blooded; therefore, snakes are cold-blooded.

The term "inductive reasoning" refers to reasoning that takes specific information and makes a broader generalization that is considered probable, allowing for the fact that the conclusion may not be accurate.

• Robert is a teacher. All teachers are nice. Therefore, it can be assumed that Robert is nice.
• All cats that you have observed purr. Therefore, every cat must purr.
• All observed brown dogs are small dogs. Therefore, all small dogs are brown.

APES 9/8 Independent/Dependent variables

Chapter 1 review questions are due Monday. 

We will be taking our first diagnostic test Monday which is a chance to see what you know at this time based on APES practice tests.

WHAT ARE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES?

Question: What's a variable?

Answer: A variable is an object, event, idea, feeling, time period, or any other type of category you are trying to measure. There are two types of variables-independent and dependent.

Question: What's an independent variable?

Answer: An independent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure. For example, someone's age might be an independent variable. Other factors (such as what they eat, how much they go to school, how much television they watch) aren't going to change a person's age. In fact, when you are looking for some kind of relationship between variables you are trying to see if the independent variable causes some kind of change in the other variables, or dependent variables.

Question: What's a dependent variable?

Answer: Just like an independent variable, a dependent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is something that depends on other factors. For example, a test score could be a dependent variable because it could change depending on several factors such as how much you studied, how much sleep you got the night before you took the test, or even how hungry you were when you took it. Usually when you are looking for a relationship between two things you are trying to find out what makes the dependent variable change the way it does.

Many people have trouble remembering which is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable. An easy way to remember is to insert the names of the two variables you are using in this sentence in they way that makes the most sense. Then you can figure out which is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable:

(Independent variable) causes a change in (Dependent Variable) and it isn't possible that (Dependent Variable) could cause a change in (Independent Variable).

For example:

(Time Spent Studying) causes a change in (Test Score) and it isn't possible that (Test Score) could cause a change in (Time Spent Studying).

We see that "Time Spent Studying" must be the independent variable and "Test Score" must be the dependent variable because the sentence doesn't make sense the other way around.

Have a nice weekend! 

BRING BOOKS TOMORROW

We'll be working on chapter 1 review questions in class tomorrow, bring books.  You can leave them in the room if you want to.

APES desalination

It's been a big few days for California.  First, groundwater regulation, then single use plastic bag regulation, and  finally the near completion of  the desalination plant in Carlsbad, near San Diego.

Here are two video links to the process of desalination and the potential impacts and natural services.
You need to either highlight and click on link, or, copy and paste.
  
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/news/politics/San-Diego-Explained--The-Desalination-Debate/83414667

 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-ocean-desalination-plant-drinking-water-in-san-diego/

"Scientific American"  link explaining desalination as a last resort for water shortages.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-impacts-of-relying-on-desalination/

Page 335 of your book asks the question if desalination is a useful way to expand water supplies.  What do you think?

Tomorrow we'll be completing the lab.  Be creative in the variables you want to use.

APES 9/3

OK, all quizzes and essays are graded, you should be able to view everything.

Here's the link to the second article we'll be reading regarding the recent groundwater regulation legislation.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/us/politics/desperately-dry-california-tries-to-curb-private-drilling-for-water.html?_r=0

The chapter review questions are on page 24-25.  We will have class time on Friday to work on it, please bring in your book that day (or, set up with someone to share).

APES 9/2

 

Here's the link to the film "Home".  You have to copy and paste (sorry).  This is an exceptional movie to  inform you on the many pressures the earth is facing, and the many interesting solutions countries are currently implementing. If you want to skip a bit of it start at minute 15.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU

All quizzes are graded, you can see your score, but, I still need to get them in the grade book tomorrow.

Here's the link to important legislation passed as a means to try and abate the impacts of the "exceptional drought" much of the state is experiencing.  We will be reading this in class.  

 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/30/3477615/underground-water-regulation-california-first-ever/

Be sure to read chapter 1 and answer the chapter review questions by Friday.