What I Learned This Year

ASTRONOMY--My favorite astronomy topic was "Using Space Science on Earth." I found it interesting how many things that we use today that were developed in or for space. One example was moon boots. The shock-absorbing material is used today in athletic shoes. Also laser surgery and pacemakers were developed because of the space program.


WEATHER AND CLIMATE--Cloud formation is really pretty fascinating when you think about it. It was interesting how the cloud forms because of what happens on the ground. the ground heats up, the air gets warm and starts to rise. It keeps rising to the point that it cools down. The cloud forms at the dew point and starts to collect water. Ice crystals for in the cloud. Depending on the temperature, precipitation comes down as snow, rain, or sleet.

GEOLOGY--I really liked learning about earthquakes. It was interesting that most earthquakes for around the Ring of Fire. It was also really interesting that there was an earthquake in Colorado. I also didn't know that earthquakes can occur under water which causes tsunamis.

WEATHERING AND EROSION--Acid Rain had to have been my favorite topic. I didn't know now much damage can be caused by acid rain or what causes it. I can see now why some people push for alternative energy, efficient cars, and regulation on pollution. I did not know that so much damage is being caused to wetlands because of acid rain.


EARTH'S WATERS--I thought that the water cycle was pretty interesting. You don't often think about where the water has been when you turn on the faucet or take a shower. It is amazing how our water cycles through starting with lakes, rivers, and streams. Water evaporates because of the energy from the sun, forms clouds, precipitation occurs, and then water runs off and returns to the lakes or streams. It all then starts over again.

It is clear that I learned a lot this year. Sometimes the work was hard but now that the end of the year is almost here, I can honestly say that it was worth it. Thanks, Mrs. Casey, for a great year!!

Manitou water and Colorado water

Colorado has one of the finest sources of water in the nation. Over 75 percent of the water comes from the Continental Divide so that makes Colorado springs one of the first users. That means that we don't get treated water from water plants and that means its free from chemicals and pollutants. This water meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards. Also Colorado Springs has built an extensive water collection and distribution system. At the treatment senters raw water goes through several processes that removes suspended matter and provides disinfection. Also they have tasters so they make sure that there is no odor or bad tast to the water.

Manitous water:
The people in manitou also have the best water in the nation, Colorado Springs and Manitou are both really close but witch one has better water? Living in Colorado Springs i think the water is fine and i think it tasts the same, but is one really better to drink? The manitou water shed is really big it takes up over 30 acers of the national forest, this would make its water pretty good.
It goes throug the same process that Colorado Springs purification plants do, that is one conparisen betwwen the two. Also the reeseach that i have been doing has come out mostly the same in both places the compare pretty much the same. There is no big diferance betwwen these two because there both really close to each other. That makes them the same

Four Essential Questions

Q. What are you going to research?
A. What causes acid rain, how it affects us, is acid rain being stopped, and how dangerous it is.
Q. What conclusions did you come to? What do you recommend average citizens to do to make a difference?
A. Acid rain is caused by pollutants being dumped down drains, exhaust from cars, and burning coal. Some things we can do to stop it is being careful how we dispose of pollutants, buying eco-friendly cars, and encouraging alternative energy.
Q. What would happen if nobody listened to recommendations?
A. If no one listened, water would continue to be polluted. Peoples health will also get worse and animals will be affected.
Q. What would happen if everyone listened to recommendations.
A. If everyone listened to recommendations people would be healthier. Less damage would occur to buildings and statues. Also, the lives of many animals would be saved.

Water Cycle

1. The water cycle is the process that water moves through the environment. The sun energy drives the water cycle.

2. The water cycle does not have a beginning or end.

3. Starting with a sunny day the energy from the sun causes water to evaporate. Condensation occurs. The water vapor cools and forms water in the clouds which becomes heavy and falls back to Earth as precipitation. Precipitation can be in the form of rain, snow or hail. Run off occurs. The water collects in streams, oceans, lakes, seas, and ground water. The water cycle process starts over again.

Annotated Bibliography

http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/
This site helped me to understand the damage caused by acid rain. It helped me to understand the affect of on the lakes and streams as well as buildings. Also it harms public health.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain
This web site gave me a definition of acid rain. It also told me the history of acid rain and the chemical process involved in acid rain.

http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml
This web site helped me understand the cause of acid rain. I also learned that there is both wet and dry acid rain. It also taught me the differences between wet and dry acid rain and what causes each.

Acid Rain