Extra Credit - 6th Marking Period

Interested in receiving extra credit? Read one article listed below. Write a summary of the article and explain how it is related to the Living Environment curriculum. Be sure to include the name, date, and publication of the article in your assignment. You can receive up to 5 points for your summary. Limit 1article per student. Due Wednesday, 6/23/10, but feel free to hand in your assignment at any time.


New Estimates Double the Rate of Oil Flowing Into the Gulf

Plumes of Oil Below the Surface Raise New Concerns

Voracious Invader May Be Nearing Lake Michigan

An Underwater Fight Is Waged Against San Francisco Bay

Japan Defies Australia on Whaling

Saturn moon's methane mystifies experts

Click here to read an article about the abundance of methane gas on the surface of Titan. Was this gas produced by living organisms?

Thermal Pollution

Click here to view an animation representing the thermal pollution of a river by a power station. Cold water is pumped from the river and hot water pumped back into the river.

Ozone Layer

Click here to learn more about the ozone layer. What are the causes of ozone depletion? What can we do to help?

Biomagnification

Click here to view a short animation that illustrates how toxic chemicals build up in an ecosystem.

Here is a second animation that illustrates how DDT accumulates in the food chain of an aquatic ecosystem.

Acid Rain Animation

Click here to view an interactive animation showing how power stations contribute to the formation of acid rain. Click the highlighted areas to reveal how acid rain pollutes the environment.

Click here to view a second animation about acid rain by the EPA.

Population Clock

Click here to view the current world population.

What is the message in the cartoon displayed on the right?

Global Warming

Click here to read about the causes, effects, science, and solutions of global warming.

Click here to view an animation about global warming.

What are the causes of global warming?

How is it effecting the Earth?

What can we do to stop or slow down global warming?

Deforestation

Do you want to know more about the negative effects of deforestation? Click here to read more. Be sure to click on the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.

What is the leading cause of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?

What is illegal logging and how does it contribute to deforestation?


Why did the government of Madagascar slash and burn one of the most biologically rich areas on Earth?

Invasive Species

Did you know that the Asian Carp, a non native species in the US, has already disrupted the ecosystem in the Mississippi River and is now headed towards Lake Michigan? How did the carp get here in the first space? What effect will the Asian Carp have on the ecosystem and native fish populations?

Voracious Invader May Be Nearing Lake Michigan

Fight Against Asian Carp Threatens Fragile Great Lake Unity First Traces of Asian

Carp Found in Lake Michigan

After School Review Sessions

I would like to offer 3 weeks of after school review sessions in preparation for the Living Environment Regents Exam. The Living Environment Regents Exam will take place on Wednesday, 6/16/10. I will offer at least two sessions each week since many students already have after school activities and engagements. It is only necessary to attend one session each week. Each review session will be held from 3:15 - 4:15 in room 311.


Please note changes in to Weeks 2 and 3 below. I apologize for any confusion. Apparently, scheduling is not a strength of mine!

Review Schedule:

Week 1: The Cell, Transport, and Scientific Method
Dates: Tuesday, 5/25 Wednesday, 5/26 Thursday 5/27

Week 2: Genetics
Dates: Tuesday, 6/1 and Wednesday, 6/2

Week 3: Mitosis, Meiosis, Reproduction
Dates: Thursday, 6/3 and Wednesday, 6/9 (Tuesday, 6/8 canceled due to 1/2 day)

Please complete a permission slip if you would like to attend the review sessions. Permission slips can be downloaded from eBoard. Please return the permission slips quickly as space is limited.

Current Events: Synthetic Cell

Did you know that researchers created the first synthetic cell? Scientists believe that these microbes can be used to create biofuels and vaccines. Click here to read more.

What is your opinion of synthetic cells?

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

Have you been following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Click on the articles below to read the latest information.

How do you think the oil spill will affect the food web in the Gulf of Mexico?

Heavy Oil Reaches Louisiana Marshland; Tar Balls Found in Key West 

Fishing Ban is Expanded as Spill's Impact Becomes More Evident

Gulf Oil Spill Represents a New Threat To the Sea Turtle

The Oil Spill: Wildlife at Risk

Video: BP Reduces Gulf Oil Leak

** Special thanks to my dad for emailing me the articles about the oil spill!**

Ecological Succession

Click here to view a very short animation about  ecological succession. What is the name of each stage? What is the difference between each stage?

Did you know that ecological succession can occur after a glacier has passed through an area? Watch this short, 3 part animation about succession in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

I need your help!

Do you have 5 minutes? Click here to read about an exciting new website and answer a few questions.

Baxter Hall is being launched by a close friend of mine - all feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks:)

Please respond directly the email address on the flyer.

Energy Pyramid

Click here for an animation about an energy pyramid. 

In a healthy ecosystem there are lots of producers, some herbivores, and not many carnivores. Why is this important?

Decomposers

Click here to learn more about decomposers. 

What important nutrient is recycled back to the environment by this unique group of organisms? Can you give examples of decomposers?

Take the quiz at the end of the animation (the squirrels are SO cute!).

Food Chain Video

From the tiniest shrimp to the biggest whale, all living things play roles in a food chain. This short cartoon explains just how a food chain works. You'll see why every creature's part is important.

Take the quiz when you finished. How did you do?

Did anyone read the Sea Monsters article? What did you think?

Click here to create your own food web! Print your food web when you are finished and share with your class. Enjoy:)

Interactive Tree of Life

Did you know that the Hippopotamus is related to the Sperm Whale? Or that the Ostrich and the Tyrannosaurus have common links? Explore the connections in the natural world, and learn about evolution with this Interactive Tree of Life. Can you describe primitive life? What organisms did you read about?

Click here to view the Tree Of Life video and interactive from class.

Meet Darwin in the Tree of Life Game!

Click here to play a time machine game where you travel to London in 1840 and meet Charles Darwin! You have to download UnityWebPlayer to play the game so make sure you have permission from your parents.

What did you think of the game?