Scientific Process: Egg Drop

Author's Note: This is my scientific process from the egg drop that I finally remembered to post. 

Problem-What is the most effective way to create a device using limited materials that will protect an egg from dropping off the staircase?

Hypothesis- Creating a device using air resistant materials will help protect the egg because the drop won't go as fast, which puts less force on the egg, when in lands.

Experimental Design-

Materials:

Constant Variable: The Egg

Independent Variable:  The different devices used to protect the egg

Dependent Variable:  which device protects the egg

Procedure: 

Each group will be given limited materials in which they must create a device from to protect an egg from a drop off of the top of the staircase in the lobby.  Each group will consist of 2-4 members, in which they all need a scientific process completed before they are allowed to enter the contest. After making the device, the groups will all drop their egg and device off of the top of the staircase.  Teams who's egg survives the drop will win a certain amount of points, along with the amount of points earned from turning in their scientific process. The team with the most points wins the contest.

Observations-

Our group made it through the first round of the egg drop and into the tie breaker round.  What I noticed is that groups who were really sure of their device surviving were the ones who's egg cracked. Ours was kind of thrown together last minute, but it still survived. We put the egg inside the plastic cup and cushioned it with the tissues. Some of the groups used plastic bags as a parachute to help the device with it’s air resistance, and these groups were some of the groups in the final rounds.

Conclusion-

Although my group didn't win, I thought that our device was going to get out in the first round. This was because we didn't have time to test the device, so I didn't know how it would turn out.  I think that the tissues helped break the fall, along with the plastic from the cup. Also, the device was dropped from the middle of the stairs, not the very top like we had originally thought it was going to be. 

Florida

Author's Note: I am going to Florida the week after Spring Break, and I am really excited. We used to go with my extended family every year since I was born. We stayed at the same condo every year. Recently, we haven't been able to go in awhile, so I am really excited to go again. I wrote this poem about how happy I am, and how even though it might not be the same, we still get to go. My focus is voice. 

 

As you walk along the beach, 

You think back. 

Back to all the memories. 

Back to the previous years.

Things have changed. 

But through all the years, 

One thing remains the same. 

The love, 

The happiness, 

The memories made.

"Seaview Vacation Rental - VRBO 363446 - 2 BR Madeira Beach Condo in FL, Gulf Front - Family Friendly, Seaview #501 Top Floor." VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.vrbo.com/363446>.

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Author's Note: I wrote this research essay on how photosynthesis and cellular respiration work together to create balance in today's environment. My focus is making sure that my body paragraphs are on topic and have solid ideas to them.

A symbol of love, friendship, and caring, a flower is a simple way to show you care to someone. The beautiful scent and petals are an outward view of the work that goes on inside of them to keep them alive. All plants require photosynthesis and cellular respiration to survive. Without photosynthesis and cellular respiration plants, animals, and even humans could not survive. 

So what is photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar, while providing oxygen to the environment. Typically, the process takes place in the plants leaves. The plant cells have molecules that absorb the light, the molecules are called pigments. Chlorophyll is the main pigment, and also gives the plant its green color. The light gives the plant energy, which it uses to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. The food is sugar glucose. The energy in glucose is used by the plant's cells.

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells use oxygen to produce energy from food. The food (glucose) is broken down in to carbon dioxide and water, then the energy is released. Cellular respiration is used by both animals and plants (in animals used mostly to maintain body temperature). 

If you buy a watch at a store, and one of the hands are missing, what can you do with it? If you don't have all the pieces then the watch can't work. It's the same thing with photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In order for them to work, they absolutely have to have each other. During photosynthesis, cells use carbon dioxide to make glucose and the cells release oxygen. During cellular respiration, cells use the oxygen to break down the glucose and release carbon dioxide.

Every time someone looks at a flower they can't even comprehend the work that the flower goes through to survive. The complex system obviously didn't happen by accident. The plant cells have to work together perfectly for both photosynthesis and cellular respiration to work or the plant will die. If all the plants died, so would all the animals that eat the plants. Eventually all the animals would die, leading to the death of all the humans.