Week 13 Science Methods 2

     1. What did you do in the lab?   

2. What was the big question? 

3. What did you learn in Thursday's discussion? 

4. Read the online textbook, 

        1. What did you learn? 

        2. What was most helpful? 

        3. What do you need more information on? 

5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?     

    In the lab this week, we went over our assignments and our test. We talked about the Goldfinch investigation and talked about how there is more flooding, which is destroying their food, so they are having to move. We then did an investigation of climate change. We had four different groups of two, and we all looked into five different articles. We looked for data to support that climate change is happening. We then thought of different questions from these articles and answered them. We also created a statement about our findings.  The big questions were these that we were trying to answer.  Our big questions were those that we were trying to answer in the investigation. What type of data do we have that supports that climate change is happening? What questions did you derive from the data shared? What answers did you find? Using specific data, make a climate statement based on the data.  

     In Thursday's lab, we talked about why some regions have a hotter and colder climate. We got the acronym to help us, which is L.O.W.E.R. Near Water. The "L" represents latitude. The distance from the equator is a key factor in determining if the climate is hot or cold. The "O" represents ocean currents. The temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of air that passes over it. The "W" represents wind & air masses. This is a large volume of air that takes on the climatic conditions of the area where it is formed. The "E" represents elevation. The higher the altitude, the colder the temperature. The "R" represents relief. Precipitation is created when an air mass rises to cross a mountain barrier. For near water, in the summer, the water keeps the temperatures cool, and in the winter, it keeps the temperature from getting too cold. 

    From the textbook, I learned more about the climate change happening in Iowa. The main topics are more precipitation and drought, hotter temperatures, impact on agriculture, and habitat changes. Because of the changing weather patterns, there will be an increase in extreme precipitation, which will lead to more floods. More dangerous heat events will be more frequent and severe. The effects on agriculture are higher temps, which may lead to longer growing seasons and higher crop yield, death of livestock because of the dangerously high temps, and flooding, which affects the soil. 

    I found the whole reading really helpful. I think the setup really helped, and it was easy to understand. I don't need any more information for now, and I also don't have any questions at the moment.