Final Ecosystems Activities

Choose one of the activities to complete.
You may work with a partner. Complete the work in one note.

1. Sustainable Human Communities 
Research and Answer these questions

a. What is a sustainable human community?

b. What are the costs and benefits of recycling?

c. What do reduce and reuse mean?

d. List sustainable technologies in Canada


OR

2. What kind of car will you be driving? 

a. Identify three alternatives to a regular car engine that uses gasoline for fuel.

b. Choose one of the following alternatives and find out the information.

• What mechanism powers the vehicle? 
• What kind of fuel does the vehicle use? 
• What are the by-products or emissions from the vehicles operation?
• How well does the vehicle perform? 
• What is the potential cost of the vehicle and the its fuel? 
• How easy will it be to refuel the vehicle? 
• What are the benefits of using this type of car? 

Welcome Partners and Unwanted Guests

After reading the pages, complete questions 1 and 2 in your one note for Science Grade 7. 

Science Blog Activities and Assignments Check Point

Have you completed the following activities?

Grade 7:

·         Chain of Events

·         Ecosystem Reading and starting to research your ecosystem 

·         Cycling, Changes, and Interactions

·         Assessing Human Impact
 
   Off the Blog: Food Web, Abiotic and Biotic Elements, Succession Questions, and Assessing Human impact questions.

  Ecosystem Research is due on November 30th.

  Model Ecosystem is due on the December 18th. 

Grade 8

·         Cells Intro

·         Cell Structure

·         Human Organ Systems

ii    Start deciding what cell you want to make. What materials will you use? Will you make an animal or plant cell?

   Off the Blog: Completed microscope sketches, cell diagram, and cell parts

     Grade 8s--> You will be having a test on November 23rd. (Date change) 
 
      Model Cell Project is due on December 18th.


I   ***REMEMBER: IF YOU ARE MISSING ANYTHING, CHECK THE WHITE BIN AT THE FRONT OF OUR CLASSROOM.***
I   I will be checking binders at the end of the month!

Assessing Human Impact-Grade 7

1. How do humans impact the environment? Think of this positively and negatively. Explain.

2. Create a chart that defines the elements and the impact humans have on the following:

Air

Water

Habitat

3. Research how humans dispose of waste. Explain the implications of waste disposal and recycling.

Human Organ Systems-Grade 8

Explain and give examples of the Human Organ Systems

Organ Systems-

Skeletal System-

Muscular System-

Circulatory System-

Respiratory System-

Nervous System-

Digestive System-

Excretory System-

Integumentary System-

Niches-Answers

Cycling, Changes, and Interactions-Grade 7

Read and answer the following questions. You need to do this in your one note that is part of our Grade 7 notebook.

The cycling of matter is a series of steps in a cycle that allow abiotic elements to be used over and over again. These elements are absorbed and used by producers to form organic matter. Consumers then absorb the organic matter through feeding interactions and use it for growth. As they grow, the consumers produce organic waste. Decomposers break down the organic waste from living and dead organisms into biotic elements that producers can use again.

Example:
When a bear leaves the remains of a salmon carcass in the forest, decomposers break it down into biotic elements, including carbon and nitrogen and other nutrients.

Intereactions and Changes in Ecosystems 

1. What are limiting factors in an ecosystem? Give the definition and three examples. 

2. What are native species? Give the definition and three examples in Canada. 

3. What introduced species? Give the definition and three examples in Canada. 

4. Explain bioinvasion. What are the effects of bioinvasion? 

5. Explain what invasive species are. Give two examples of these types of species in Canada. 

6. Define the term sustainability. 

7.  Research and list three examples of who humans have impacted ecosystems. 

Cell Structure-Grade 8

Overview of Cell Structure <---If the video doesn't work, click this link.
Watch the video. Answer these questions while you watch the video.

1. What three things do the cells all have in common?

2. What are Eukaryotic cells? Include organelles and what organism has these types of cells.

3. What are Prokaryotic cells? What don't they have? Give an example.

4.What are organelles? 

5. What is the nucleus?

6. What happens when the cell is ready to divide?

      7. What happens in the nucleolus?

      8. Define the two types of Endoplasmic reticulum (ER). What is the job?

      9. What happens when proteins emerge from the ER?

1    10. What are lysosomes?

11. What is the power house for both cells?

12. What do plant cells only have?

13. What does the respiratory system have?

Grade 7 Ecosystems Reading

Read the following pages. 

After you finish, start researching ecosystems. Choose one you are interested in. We will be doing a project about this at a later date. At this point in time, I just want you to research different ecosystems and find out one you are interested in. You may start to make some point form notes. Consider abiotic and biotic elements, interactions between biotic and abiotic elements, producers, consumers, community, population, and species. 

Music Assignment

1. Choose your favourite band or artist.

2. Research how they started, any interesting facts, and what genre of music they play.

3. Choose your favourite song (please get the clean version) and discuss why you like it. Give at least three reasons as to why it is your favourite song.

4. You will be creating a one page report or at least a 5 slide presentation about your artist or band.

5. Create an album cover for the artist or band. You can focus on their genre, song, or anything about them.

6. You will be presenting your report or slide show. Please also have a sample of the music to share (30 seconds). Make sure it is the clean edit.

Due: October 26th

Please email me the project or print it out. The Album cover needs to be done in hard copy form.

Grade 8-Cells Intro

Although scientists have studied living things for centuries, it was not  until the late 1600s, and the invention of the microscope, that humans  were able to see cells, the building blocks of all living things.
a) Who claimed to have invented the microscope? 
b) When did the microscope actually gain popularity and was first regularly used? 
c) Who was credited with the later development? 
-->There are two separate dates and centuries that I am looking for.

Today scientist still study cells, and are still attempting to learn more about  life through the function of cells and their parts.

You were given a number. Your topic is based on your number.

1. Cancer 2.  Alzheimer's Disease 3. Malaria 4. Cystic Fibrosis 5. Sickle­ Cell Disease 6. Diabetes

Individually, use the next five minutes to perform an internet search  for your assigned topic.  Scan the information, looking for references  to cells.  You will be discussing your information. Jot a few facts down.

Find your group and discuss your findings. You will be creating one power point slide with the information about your topic.  Do this in a group. Please send the slide to me. I will be creating a power point of these findings.

Grade 7-Chain of Events

This is a Murre (mer). It is a white-breasted North American Auk or seabird. In the summer, it breeds off the rocky coasts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia. But in winter, the thick-billed murre is at sea, off the edge of open ice southward towards Nova Scotia and northern British Columbia.

YOUR TASK
People have often thought about the impact of one tiny event on an entire chain of  events.  Sometimes the results can be surprising.
1. With a partner, read the following poem and discuss what it means.  If you  have any difficulty, invite other pairs of students to share their ideas. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; 
For want of a shoe, the horse was lost; 
For want of a horse, the rider was lost; 
For want of the rider, the battle was lost; 
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost. 
And all from the want of a horseshoe nail. 
2. Relate the ideas in the poem to the world around you and to the ways that living and non­living things depend on each other.
 3. Think about your "wants" — the basic things that you, as a living creature,  must have in order to live.  List the "wants" that are essential for your survival.
4. Make up your own chain of events starting with one small event.  Include at  least five events in your chain.  For example, you could start with the  following event: there was no milk left when you went to have breakfast this morning, so… Your homework for today is to complete your "For Want Of..." poem You can do this with a partner.

Grade 7 and 8 Science

1. What are at least 5 safety rules to remember during Science class?


2. Based on our list of units to be covered, what do you think we will learn? What would you like to learn about in Science?


3. List at least 3 scientific topics that you find interesting.



*For number 1, please make sure your safety rules are detailed.

For number 2, please make sure you write in full sentences.

For number 3, you can create a list.

Welcome Back

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! I am looking forward to our new year. We will be covering many interesting topics this year. I will outline the units that we will be looking at this year.


Grade 7

Understanding Life Systems-Interactions in the Environment

Understanding Structures and Mechanisms-Form and Function

Understanding Matters and Energy- Pure Substances and Mixtures

Understanding Earth and Space Systems-Heat in the Environment

Grade 8

Understanding Life Systems-Cells

Understanding Structures and Mechanisms-Systems

Understanding Matters and Energy-Fluids  

Understanding Earth and Space Systems-Water Systems   

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Types of Measurement Instruments

Petroleum Questions

1. What is petroleum?

2. How was petroleum extracted?

3.  When and where was petroleum discovered in Ontario? Why was this important?

4. How does the world today use petroleum?

5. How is petroleum processed?

6. What is fractional distillation?

Processing Petroleum

Processing Gold Questions

1. What was most surprising (if anything) about how gold is processed?


2. What do you wonder about the processing of gold?


3. What is one thing that you found interesting about how gold is processed?

4. What else would you like to know?

Processing Gold

Solutions: Concentration and Solubility

Read page 214-217 in your textbook

1. Define:
alloys
solutions
solute
solvent
solubility
insoluble
concentrated solution
dilute solution
concentration
saturation
saturated solution
saturation point
unsaturated solution
supersaturated solution


2. Explain how water is the universal solvent

3. Complete 1-6 on page 219
4. Show me your completed work. Then, make sure it is in your binder. We will be talking more about this a little later.

Comment on this with your name and the answers to these questions.

1. What was most surprising (if anything) about how sugar is processed?


2. What do you wonder about the processing of sugar?


3. What is one thing that you found interesting about how sugar is processed?

4. What else would you like to know?

Processing Sugar

Read about processing sugar.

Grade 8s: The evolution of assembly lines: a brief history

* Read the article: The evolutioon of assembly lines: a brief history by Robert Corday.

*Answer the following questions in word, comment on this blog, or write on a piece of paper.


1.  How were goods made before the Industrial Revolution?

2.  Who was Eli Whitney and why was he important?

3. Who patented the assembly line? Discuss his product a bit.

4. What did Henry Ford do and what nickname did they give him?

5.  What was some of the first Robotics developments? What is happening with Robotics today?

Forces and Failures

There are four types of forces, and each type causes its own failure mode:
Tension-When a material is pulled from either end it will elongate,  and eventually  it will "snap," meaning the material breaks into two pieces.

Compression-When a material is pushed together from opposite sides  there are two possible outcomes. 1) The material can bend, or "buckle" under the force.
2) The material will shift, or "shear," where different parts move in different directions.

Torsion-Twisting the ends of a material in opposite directions will eventually cause  the material to shift passed itself,  meaning the failure method is similar to a compression  failure, in this case it is known as "twist."

Shear-Pushing different parts of material too far in  different directions results in a failure known as "shear."

Mass vs. Weight

Read through this note. 

Weight is the force exerted by a mass because of gravity, measured in Newtons.

Mass is the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms.

The mass of an object does not change with gravity, but the weight will.  

The moon has 1/6 the gravity of earth, meaning you would weigh 1/6 of  your earth weight while on the moon, however your mass is the same.

When you use a scale you are actually using weight to make it work.   However, the scale gives a reading of mass.  This works because the scales have been calibrated to convert the value of force exerted on it, into a reading of mass.

There are several different types of scales, but all work on similar principles A force is exerted on it, something movies, a reading is given.

Joints

Joining Technology

 A joint is any place on a structure where pieces are held  together. 

1.  Joints are important for many reasons:

 2. Allow the use of multiple materials

3. Allow a structure to have different components

o Without joints, a structure would have to be carved or mold   “Mobile Joints” are joints that allow movement.

-->Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint

• “Rigid Joints” prevent movement.

 -->A stool has a rigid joint between the seat and legs

•Your task for today is to read a section of text and  make a note with the title 

"Joining Methods"  

•In your note, you should cover the following topics,  including a brief explanation and example of each:

o Mobile vs Rigid Joints

o Fasteners

o Ties

o Adhesives

o Melting

o Interlocking Shapes 

•Joints are normally the weakest point  of  structure, therefore there is a  need for a variety of 

types of joints to suit a variety of different situations.

Forces Intro

Using word or a piece paper. Answer the following questions. You can use your textbook or research online.


1. What is a force?


2. What are some external forces that act on structures? Give some definitions and/or examples.


2. What are some internal forces that act on structures? Give some definitions and/or examples.

Scientists in the School Review

Structure Research

Research a famous monument or structure. Follow the steps listed. Type your answers in Word. Please answer in complete sentences.

1.What kind of structure is it?
(frame, mass/solid, or shell)

2. What is the function or functions of your structure or monument?

3. What materials were used to build your structure or monument?

4. When was your structure or monument built? Add three facts about it that you have not already talked about.

5. Draw or find a picture of your structure or monument to include with your questions.

Designing for Safety

Research the answers for the following questions. Then, type or write out your answers. You may work with a partner.

1. Describe 3 ways in which structures can fail.

2. Pick one structure that has to support a large load. Describe how it was designed for this load with safety in mind.

3. Pick one structure that has to contain something. Describe how it was designed to contain something with safety in mind.

4. What is a sensor and why do engineers use these in structures? Make a list of at least 5 sensors in the world. Describe the function of each sensor. (You can also read a little bit about sensors on page 119 of your textbook).