Adv Science

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM: ERA REPORT My era is the Mesozoic era, or also known as the reptile era, since this was the time when the dinosaurs lived (plus small mammals). During this era, there were three periods- the Triassic Period (this was the period that followed the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period), the Jurassic Period (this was the period where Pangea began to break apart), and the Cretaceous Period (the final period, meaning chalk). Many dinosaur species were widespread across it. The continents for all the Triassic and most of the Jurassic stayed together as Pangea, finally breaking apart towards the end of the Jurassic. Then, in the Cretaceous period, the continents stayed apart, with South America stuck to Antarctica, as was Australia. North America and Canada were a little closer than they are now, but Greenland remained connected to what is now Europe. The plants during the Mesozoic era were Sequoias, cycads, birch trees, and conifers. 

Summary: During this week, I learned about radiometric dating. Radiometric dating is when scientists use the level of radiation to determine the age of rocks. We looked at a Java-programmed interactive where we learned about the half-life of elements, such as uranium and carbon. Then, we used another Java-programmed interactive to find the age of fossils and rocks using the uranium, carbon, and custom settings. What I noticed while doing completing my worksheet was that the uranium setting was used for rocks and ancient fossils while the carbon setting was used for decayed or more recent fossils, and the custom setting was for objects that didn't qualify for the uranium or carbon setting. S&EP: #3 - Planning And Carrying Out Investigations.  I planned and carried out investigations when I was completing my worksheet on radiometric dating by asking identifiable questions such as "Are there other methods of radiometric dating besides using uranium and carbon?&q

Summary: During this week, I completed a lab concerning starburst, where we had to cut it up into tiny pieces (the sediments) and then mold it together under heat and pressure (the sedimentary rock) and then compress it even further to form metamorphic and then melt it even further to form igneous rock. S&EP: #3 - Planning And Carrying Out Investigations.  I planned and carried out investigations when I was completing my starburst rock cycle simulation/lab/experiment. I used the data to help me answer the worksheet questions, but to be honest,  I didn't actually have anything to do seeing as the rock cycle was really just a review. I also used the finished products from each step as a reference when I drew what it looked like in the infinitesimally small boxes provided. Image Link:  Mrs. Mathis. “Starburst Rock Cycle.” Mrs. Mathis' Homeroom - French and English Teaching Resources for Middle and Intermediate Grades, Blogger, 4 May 2015