Spheres case files
A volcano begins erupting near a small community. Molten rock flows down the side of the volcano while ash and gases enter the atmosphere. Some volcanic material enters a nearby river. Plants and animals in the surrounding area are affected. Which spheres are involved?
Geosphere
A scientist is studying ocean currents. Which branch would be most appropriate?
Oceanography
What is the term called if a scientist wants to smell a certain chemical?
Waft
Why do we use the scientific method?
We use the scientific method because it gives scientists an organized and reliable way to investigate questions, test ideas, and draw conclusions based on evidence rather than opinions or guesses.
How many years has Ms. Fletcher been teaching?
Six years.
A powerful hurricane develops over warm ocean water. Meteorologists observe increasing wind speeds and decreasing air pressure. The storm produces heavy rainfall as it approaches the coast. Flooding damages homes, washes away soil, and destroys coastal habitats. Which spheres are involved? Which sphere is MOST directly associated with the hurricane itself?
A. Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere.
B. Atmosphere
Which branch studies rocks and minerals?
Geology
What should you do when you first enter a science lab?
Listen for instructions from your teacher.
What happens to a dependent variable if the independent variable changes?
The dependent will change as well; it "depends" on the independent variable.
How many brothers and sisters does Mrs. Fletcher have?
9
Scientists have discovered that average ocean temperatures are increasing. Some marine organisms are moving to different areas, coral ecosystems are experiencing stress, and scientists are investigating whether warmer ocean water is influencing weather patterns. Which spheres are involved? Which sphere is experiencing the initial change? How could the hydrosphere affect the biosphere?
A. Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere.
B. Hydrosphere
C. Increasing ocean temperatures can stress marine organisms, cause organisms to move to different areas, and disrupt marine ecosystems.
A scientist studies why a hurricane is getting stronger.
Meteorologist
Jane's clothes suddenly catch fire. Her lab partner, John, needs to grab something to smother the fire. What object might that be? And how would this be used correctly to put the fire out completely?
Fire blanket. John would have to throw the blanket on Jane, and Jane would have to get onto the floor and roll until the fire is extinguished.
What is a constant?
Something that is kept the same during an experiment.
Who is Mrs. Fletcher's favorite singer? Hint: She calls him "BAE"
Chris Brown
A large forest is cleared to create farmland. With fewer trees and plant roots holding the soil in place, erosion increases. Rainwater runs across the land more quickly and carries sediment into nearby streams. The loss of trees also affects wildlife and changes the exchange of gases between organisms and the atmosphere. Which spheres are involved? Which sphere experienced the most obvious initial change? Explain how deforestation affects the geosphere. Explain how deforestation affects the hydrosphere.
A. Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere
B. Biosphere
C. Removing trees and their roots can leave soil exposed, increasing erosion.
D. Without vegetation to absorb and slow water, more water may run across the surface and carry sediment into streams and rivers.
A scientist is studying how pollution affects a lake. Which branch would be most involved?
Environmental Science
Kelsey is dissecting a cat with her friends. Before the lab started, they began to pick up lab equipment and proceeded to do some unauthorized cutting. Kelsey tried to stop her friends, and when doing so, formaldehyde popped into her eye. What should Kelsey do in this instance?
Run to tell the professor/teacher so he/she can place you underneath the eye wash station for 15 minutes.
What happens if your hypothesis doesn't match your results?
Formulate a new one and start over again.
What does Ms. Fletcher struggle with mentally?
Anxiety and depression
Scientists observe increased activity on the Sun. They want to determine whether the increased solar activity is affecting Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, scientists are monitoring changes in conditions on Earth. Which sphere or system outside Earth is involved? Which Earth sphere is being investigated? Why might scientists from different fields need to work together?
A. Astronomy / the Sun
B. Atmosphere
C. Astronomers can study activity occurring on the Sun, while atmospheric scientists can investigate how that activity affects Earth's atmosphere. Scientists from both areas can combine their data to understand the relationship better.
Which branch studies stars and planets?
Astronomy
Alex decided that he would take food into the lab with him one day. After eating all of his hot chips, he had nothing to drink. He saw that his friend Kimmy had some Mountain Dew. He knew he needed more than just a water fall, so he decided to grab one of the beakers off the shelf. He then proceeded to drink the mountain due from the beaker. What did Alex do wrong?
Eating in the lab and drinking from a beaker.
Identify all of the steps of the scientific method.
Ask a Question
Do Background Research
Form a Hypothesis
Conduct an Experiment
Collect and analyze data
Draw a Conclusion
What colleges did Mrs. Fletcher go to? What was her major for all of them?
RCC:Biology
A&T: Biology
UNCP: Science Education
Liberty University: Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction