Final Reflections

Final Reflections

Why does our Earth surface  looks the way it does?  

Our surface looks the way it does is because wind, water, mechanical and chemical erosions happen and so that makes our surface different everyday. When we went in the wadi I could see how the wind erosion had made the different types of sand dunes, instead with a point  they all had different ones because the wind wanted to make them all different ways. The wadi used to be a big ocean thats why, you can still find some corals or starfish and this happened because of the water erosion. The surroundings of the sea cracked and so the water quickly went out and also some of it evaporated. When I was doing all of my experiments I learned that how the experiment that I was doing could have been the same thing that happens in real life. I connected my thinking with the actual thing that happens in real life and thought go the differences and similes. This science unit taught me how the science experiments that we did happened in real life. I also learned that using different variables change the way of the experiment and also  when I added water it made different things to the soil, sand and clay I used. I was able to cooperate with my team and took turns for each job.This unit was really interesting.

Cool Careers

Cool Careers

1st Cool Career: Marine Engineering 

A marine engineer is a professional and responsible for all equipment on board of a ship. There are many mechanical systems that help in operations in vessels like the propulsion mechanics, electricity and power generation systems etc. etc.

They also design the vessels that we use to navigate and explore the worlds lakes and oceans. They work to support key activities like naval defense, environmental research, International trade and resource extraction.

Their job includes the engineering of boats and ships.

Specifically marine engineering is the discipline of applying engineering sciences, including mechanical, electrical, electronic engineering and also computer science. To develop designs operation and maintenance of the watercraft and on board systems and also oceanography technology. It can include limited power and propulsion plants, machinery, piping, automation and control systems for marine vehicles of any kind; such as surface ships and submarines. 

2nd Cool Career: Paleontologist

Paleontology is the scientific study of life that existed a long time ago. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms and interactions with each other and the environment. Paleontological observations are have been documented as far back as the 5th century. Now it uses the techniques drawn from a range of sciences, including mathematics, biochemistry and engineering. As palaeontology developed many different types of organism and fossils. Body fossils and trace fossils are evidence of old life time. Figuring out the exact time of each and every remain is hard and sometimes even difficult to estimate the dates of them.

3rd Cool Career: Environmental scientist

Environmental science is study of a academic field which has some topics such as: Physical, ecology and biology science.etc.etc.

They study the environment and the solution of environment problems. This studies incorporate more the human relationship towards the environment. The environmental scientists work on topics like understanding the process of the earth and evaluating energy systems. Scientists do analysis to the environment. This job came alive by as a substance and active field of scientific investigation.

Mechanical and Chemical Erosion

Mechanical and Chemical Erosion

Mechanical Erosion: Mechanical Erosion Is when a physical breakdown of an object into smaller components without changing its chemical composition.  For example if there is a big rock and then the mechanical erosion happens then the big rock breaks down into smaller pieces and smaller pieces until its sand or another type of soil. This process always happens near the surface of the planet and the temperature also affects the land. When there are cool nights and hot mornings have caused things to expand and contract. That little action can cause cracks into rocks to happen. Scientists observed that there is a process that is called freeze thaw that makes the rocks freeze and expand when water goes inside them. this cycle it gets repeated many times until the rocks break down. There is another type of mechanical weathering which is called salt wedging. When it rains the water flows everywhere, ant it usually contains salt dissolved in it. Then salt crystals are left over and those crystals form also in nature too. The water flows into the rocks and evaporates.Thats how the crystals begin to grow and they act like a wedge and crack the rocks.

Chemical Erosion: Chemical Erosion refers to a breakdown of an object into different particles with different minerals and compositions of the original one. Water is the powerful agent of chemical weathering: Over time it can dissolve into different rocks and into different chemicals that have a different substance than the original one. There are many more types of chemical erosion that involve  more complicated chemical reactions such as: Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide and water.
If the area of the object is really big then the more chemical reactions could happen. This reactions can happen In nature but you need moisture and heat. Reactions such as oxidation, hydrolysis and  acidification can happen if all of the substances are mixed together. Oxidation can make rocks softer.
Because there is a lot of iron in lots of rocks oxidation always happens.
Hydrolysis  causes rocks to expand and that is the thing before mechanical erosion can begin. These reactions happen all the time.
When you see rocks next to each other that are different colors that means that chemical reactions have took place there.

Slow process versus rapid erosion

Slow process versus rapid erosion

Slow Process Erosion: A type of slow process erosion is weathering.




Definition: Slow process erosion is when the object erodes in a slow way.




Example: Nature breaks down rocks and soil into smaller particles or changes the composition of the landscape.



Image:

3 Details:

Physical Weathering: When rocks break down into nature natural process.

Chemical Weathering: A reaction between 2 things that causes a change in rocks composition.

Biological Weathering: An animal or an organism cause a breakdown into a rock.


Rapid Process Erosion: Is an earthquake or a volcano or even a tsunami.


Definition: When something erodes in a rapid process.

Example: Tsunamis are a series of sea waves that are caused by a underwater earthquake.


Image:

3 Details:

Tsunamis involve huge waves which causes floodings.

Tsunamis are dangerous and have killed many people.

Tsunamis are a big cause that can make a big change.

Wind Erosion

Wadi Degla Fill Trip

WADI DEGLA Fill TRIP

 "OMG is so hot here" Many kids complained as we got off the bus and we got ready to head in the Wadi.

"I can't believe our teachers made us do this fill trip!!" More kids complained.

We walked and walked and all I saw around me where big mountains and rocks and there was so much wind that made all the sand fly everywhere. The sun with its raging arms made as sweat and it was even harder to walk. We were quickly running out of water but luckily one of the buses had gallons of water and we were about to arrive to the spot were we were going to have a snack. 

When we arrived to the pic-nic area Mr.Bill a geologist started talking to us about the wind erosion and all the different types of rocks you can find there.

I was amazed when Dr.Bill said that the wadi used to be an ocean!!!!

After he finished talking we had a little snack.

"Ready for a hike?" asked Mr.O. 

Obviously we were all tired but were eager to climb the mountain.

There were many parts were you could slip really easily and many others that were really thin and that only one person at a time could walk through.

Many kids were scared of heights and didn't dare to climbed even though it wasn't really high. A kid was about to fell down because his hat flew away and wanted to get it back. I loved the hiked even though as I all ready said it was boiling hot and even though we had water it was too warm to drink from it.

After the hike we ate lunch and headed back to the buses and came back to school.

Now this is my favourite part of the day!!! As we came back we had a really big dance party until the end of the day.
It was awesome!!!!!!!!
This fill trip was really fun but there was too much sun!

Virtual Reality

The day Ms. Hebba announced that we were going to use the virtual reality glasses I was really exited. 

Me, Nadia and Ian were the first one to use them.

The teacher helped me put the glasses on and the video quickly went on.

First I saw the grand Kenyon and then Niagara falls they were both really interesting.

The one I liked the most was the Niagara Falls because I could see all the water splashing and falling down in the devils pool and I could also see the boat with 2 men's with many things packed at the back of the boat.
I thought they wouldn't have survived because the current was really strong and I could see the 2 men's struggling to get to the shore.
1 thing I liked about the Grand Kenyon was that I could see clearly all the different sides it had.
I really enjoyed the experience of the virtual reality because you can see everything as if you were standing right in front of it.

Experiment 4: Aquatic Engineer

Question: Is it possible to control the flow of water?

Hypothesis: I think it is possible to control the flow of water because if you use good materials it probably stop it.

Materials:

• Fine sand 
• Ruffle sand
• Clay
• 2 wood pieces
• Sticks
•  5 Paint brushes
• Cup with small hole 
• Ruler
• Sponges
• 7 Small buckets
• Big bucket
• Water
• Stream table
• 2 Popsicle sticks
• Colorful blocks

Procedure:

First we mixed the 3 types of soils and then putted at the bottom of the stream table 1 of the wood piece and then we added all the paint brushes, sticks, the 7 buckets, the Popsicles sticks, the colorful blocks and the sponges to prevent the water from going outside the stream table. After that we added the ruler on top of the stream table and on top of that we putted the bucket with the small hole on the bottom. With the megearing cup we poured in 4 cups of water and putted in the cup. We putted the big cup to hold the water under the stream table. Then we started the experiment.

Observation: 

I saw a big hole creating right under the bucket with the hole. 

The water was staying all in the same place where the Dun was, but then the water started going trough the materials that got put there but just a bit got out.

Conclusion:

My Hypothesis was partly right because at first me and my group members thought that the water would have not made it through but then at the really end some of the water started getting through. I still think that we can control the water from flowing.

https://youtu.be/u7Xl5wFIsjI

Experiment 3: Flood

FLOOD

Question: what happens when the force of water is increased?

Hypothesis: I think there is going to be a flood and the water will go out of the land.

Materials:

• 2 buckets 
• 1 ruler 
• wood piece 
• ruffle sand 
• clay 
• fine sand 
• water 
• stream table 
• Bucket with small hole
• Big bucket  

    
Procedure: First we got the stream table and with the clay, fine sand and the ruffle sand we putted inside the stream table. Then we put the ruler on top of the stream table and then on top of the ruler we put the bucket with the small hole in the bottom. We put the wood piece on the bottom of the stream table and then we put the big bucket under the stream table.

Observation: Because the sand was all ready wet from the previous experiment I could see all the sand slowly coming down as the drops of water that came down with the bucket. It looked like the sand was melting as the stream of water went down the hole and inside the bucket that could hold the water that went out of the stream table. I also saw that when the water came down the bucket under a small hole was forming and it was getting deeper and wider as more water came down. The water actually created a flood.

Conclusion: Also this time my hypothesis was right because as I explained in the Observation part I said that the water created a flood and there was a lot of water coming down and it was too much that it had to  make flood.

Experiment two: Deposition

Deposition

 Question:What happens to the land that gets eroded?
Hypothesis: I think that the sand floor of the land deacreses and it depose.

Materials:

• 2 buckets 
• 1 ruler
•  wood piece
•  ruffle sand 
• clay 
• fine sand
•  water 
• stream table

Procedure:
First, as last time we putted the sand and measured it 20cm and then we putted the wooden piece in the bottom of the stream table.
Then we filled a bucket with the small hole on the bottom with water and putted on top of the stream table and we let all the water fall down.
We put a big bucket on the bottom of the stream table so it could hold the water.
Observation: I saw that when the first drops were coming down the water started to spread.
It started making a hole and it kept on becoming bigger and bigger.
It started to form a little valley and the valley was getting wider and wider.
Then at one point it the valley started to get deeper and as more water came down the sand created a bigger valley.
A lot of water was coming down at once really fast and that caused more water coming out of the tray.
A second valley started creating.
And at the end the first valley got wider than the second one.
Conclusion: The hypothesis that I made was actually right and I think that this experiment was pretty fun. I think that and I hope that we can keep on making them.

Land form Vocabulary

Land Form Vocabulary

Erosion: A process of eroding


 Flood: A overflowing of water


 Weathering: A chemical that causes rocks to expose


 Deforestation: To clear a forest


 Earth's plates:2 sub layers of the earth crust


 Landslides:A sliding of a mass of soil


 Glaciers: Mass of ice formed by snow


 Erosion rapid process:When the wind picks up sand and rocks and  takes them to another place in a quick and fast way 



erosion slow process: When the wind picks up sand and rocks and  takes them to another place really slowly


 Tsunami: Big sea wave created by a underwater volcano


 Earthquake: A strong vibration


 Debris: A accumulation of rocks


 Topsoil: The top part of the soil


Sediment: The matter that is at the bottom of a liquid


 Volcanoes: A hill with a crater in the middle that when explodes lava comes out


 Canyon: A very deep mountain with very steep sides


 Plateau: A area of relatively level surface raised above


 Dune: A small sand hill created by wind and sand


 delta: A landform formed by a deposition of sediment


 Valley:A elongated depression of a hill that follows a course of a stream

ME AS A SCIENTIST

Me as a Scientist

Hi my name is Federica and I'am in 5K. I'am from Italy and this is my fourth year living in Egypt and coming to this amazing school here at CAC!!!! I have a dog named Olivia and she is a Golden Retriver. I like doing art and my favorite sport is swimming.
Know let me tell you some things about science that I like and some and me as a scientist!
This year so far my favorite topic has been the last unit that we just finished which is called " Animals Adaptation."I really liked this topic because in science I mostly like doing projects about the topic like the animals adaptations. First I do all my research and take all the juicy information out of it and then for my demonstration or poster or another project I use all my information and put it in a nice and neat way to make a good work or for a demonstration I would be really creative and create an amazing demo. If I have to do a project or something for class I want to do it well so I get good scores and not only that but then I can prove that I care about my work.
If when I grew up  and I would become a scientist I would want to study animals because I like them and if a species was going to get extint I would want to save it by finding different ways. I love animals and If I had to choose from 2 different things to say I would Give my life to save the endangered animals around the world.
I really like science expiraments because I like trying out new ways of doing the expirament and see which one works the best. Some skills that help you become a better scientist are:
Collaborate with your team members: You should always collaborate with your team members because  you can do an experiment by your self you need her her 4 hands are better than 2.
Be organized: Being organized is another important skill for a scientist because if you have a lot of mess around you it can be really distracted because scientists want to show their best work. With a organized desk you will be able to do your experiment in abetter way without getting distracted.
Follow instructions: Following instructions is really important for a young scientist because if the experiment comes out bad and something happens it will be all your fault. Instead if you do follow the instructions you will have a better chance of not doing the experiment a better way without making a disaster.

Experiment one: Water Erosion

EXPERIMENT ONE: WATER EROSION

QUESTION: What happens to land when water flows over it?

HYPOTHESIS: I think when water flows over a land, the surface of the land gets covered by water and becomes wet. And the sand gets softer.

MATERIALS:

• 2 buckets
• 1 ruler
• wood piece
• ruffle sand
• clay
• fine sand
• water
• stream table

PROCEDURE:
First we putted the fine sand, the ruffle sand and the clay and mixed them all together.
Second we measured the sand and put the ruler on top of the bowl and put the small bucket with the small hole on the bottom on top of the ruler. With the wood piece we putted under the stream table, and then we putted a bigger bucket for the bottom because it could hold the water that came out of the stream table.
After that we pourd into the small bucket 4 cups of water.
The water went into the sand really slowly and it formed a little canyon.
When we were done with the experiment we took all our materials back to our classroom.

OBSERVATION:
I saw that the water covered all the sand and that under the bucket the water created a big deep hole. A lot of water went out of the stream table's hole.

CONCLUSION:
My prediction was correct because I guessed that it cover the sand and it actually gets softer.

https://youtu.be/s5Ul5DLJ9E0 Link to video

Essential Questions

Essential Questions

Why does our Earth surface  looks the way it does?  

I think our Earth surface looks like this because after the Big Bang explosion everything started to change. There are some rocks that look like someone made them but it was created by Nature; Nature changes our Earth surface and that is how the surface looks like this. Nature makes new plants grow on the Earth floor and every day something changes about the surface. 

HERE IS A EXAMPLE:

Like the wadi before it was a ocean but the Earth's surface changed and it became a desert.

NATURE is part of why our Earth surface changes.