1. Berb’s Blabber
“I can triple the yield of cut roses by releasing CO2 into my greenhouse. Wouldn't the effect on my outdoor berry crops be similar?” (Don Berberich)
What a thought Don! It seems like it should be that simple, huh? Got me hooked. I liked how you brought up the idea of buying carbon credits. I myself thought buying carbon credits was kind of a hokey idea the first time I heard of it…crazy!
I found your blog entries interesting because of the “voice” you used. Thanks for allowing me to read and learn.
2. Alaska Culture and Geoscience Class
Kelly Auer brings up a fantastic point about “taking action” in ones community. She gives excellent examples of projects students can do in Anchorage such as: the Creek Clean-up day sponsored by the Anchorage Waterways Council, the Adopt-A-Stream project and the collection of macroinvertebrate data for local streams for the Alaska Stream Team database. My students are also involved in the Alaska Stream Team program. We collect macroinvertebrate and water quality data with the help of the National Park Service in Indian River-Sitka’s backup water source. We also team with the US Forest Service, Sitka Conservation Society and Trout Unlimited to do small restoration projects at Starrigavan Creek each year.
Blatchley Middle School-Stream Team Project
Somehow I missed Alaska Native Teens Help Researchers video on Teachers Domain. I will definitely show it to my students. Thanks for pointing it out Kelly!
3. Life in Alaska
First of all, I love the picture of George W. Bush scratching his head saying “Global What?” Great image! I agree with AlaskaWayne that there is still much controversy regarding the reasons for climate change. I also agree that regardless of the reasons, we need to be educated and “understand the patterns and behavior of our climate to be prepared for anything that could be unforeseen or dangerous to our survival.”
I’m delighted to hear AlaskaWayne is working hard to engage young people in the sciences and feel strongly about quality science outreach to rural communities. I am presently working with another teacher in Sitka to do just that. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that somehow…either through outreach or online classes…all students in Alaska will benefit from quality science instruction.
4. Alaska Melting Pot
First of all I’d like to compliment the author, Collauna, on the organization of her blog. I found it visually appealing and easy to navigate. Secondly, I found the bit about contrails in her Module VII response fascinating. I know very little about contrails and find myself wanting to know more about how planes may be disrupting the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation in the atmosphere because of the cirrus clouds left behind.
5. Woven Ideas and Practices
Learning about permafrost and methane gas bubbles trapped in frozen lakes was all new to me until taking this class. I loved reading about how the author, Misty, and her husband went around Cordova “breaking gas bubbles” and lighting them for fun on cold Friday nights! It sounds like something I’d love to do.
