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Showing posts from January, 2017

Monilophyte and lycophyte presentations

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Monilophyte and lycophyte presentations in pictures. Glenn DeShawn and Regina on cyanobacteria Jelory on mosses Lycopodium morphology Francina on lycopodium morphology Fern life cycle Joshua on fern life cycle Fern morphology Brady on fern morphology with Aimina Kosraean Kun Isaac, Junior covers Mwoakillese plant names for ferns Nagsia and Kanoa on Pohnpeian plant pronounciations Heather, Woleaian plant words

RipStik height versus velocity

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This term I attempted to remeasure the drop heights using twine. I suspect the measurements were problematic, perhaps a return to surveyor's twine would be appropriate. There is a plethora of gear to gather, as seen above. I used a RipStik, masking tape, twine, colored chalk, three stopwatches, scissors, a tape measure, post-it pad, and a level. I also needed a pen, pad of paper, and role. At the bottom of the hill, rope line up around 12 cm. The run back up to the second post up the slope, the 10 cm drop. Measured out before class.  I worked on the lines starting at about 11:40 AM Two lines in place by 11:54 AM. Surprisingly most of the class went past me to the classroom. only eight stayed with me up at the sidewalk. The rest wandered down later.  Third run height at 21. Second run height was 15 cm.  At the bottom the speed trap was a 100 cm timed by three stopwatches. The medium time was recorded.  Having external timers helped. I

Acceleration of gravity with analysis via Desmos calculator

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The third laboratory in physical science is a measurement of the acceleration of gravity by dropping a ball from 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 cm. The time versus height (distance) is recorded. In the past the time was squared and that quantity was then halved. A graph of t² ÷ 2 versus the height (distance) produced a linear relationship, the slope of which is an estimate of the acceleration of gravity. Essentially d = ½gt² becomes d = g [½t²] where d is y, the slope m is g, and [½t²] is the x values. This term the discovery that Desmos could regress to a monomial term quadratic changed everything. During the 8:00 lab session I also realized that I could use variables of my own choosing, I did not have use a pre-defined x and y variable. This term I put together a data gathering sheet to help the students understand that at each height they should drop the ball five times and then use the median time in the data table. Although I had never used Google G Suite Drawing, I was able

Nature is not finished...

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The ethnobotany class was treated to a wide ranging and powerful presentation covering the nature and philosophy of science including the world views that underpin the historical choices made. Gordon White, a blogger and podcaster based currently in Australia. In my notes below I have undoubtedly mischaracterized either what Gordon said or what he meant. Although I have had a passing acquaintance with some of matters he spoke upon, he has put together a range of concepts in a way that is wholly unique and new for me. I have been given the gift of much to think about. Gordon opened with an introduction to world views and the eventual separation of mind from the natural world that began in part with Descartes but perhaps more so with the Cartesian philosophy that took root after Descartes. He also spoke on the narrowing of what could have agency. Where in the animistic past the realm of things that could have agency was larger, this would be narrowed until only humans were seen