Natural Resources HASPI MS Medical Earth Science Lab 09 MS-ESS3-1 Introduction Types of Natural Resources

Transcription

1 Name: Period: Date: Natural Resources HASPI MS Medical Earth Science Lab 09 MS-ESS3-1 Introduction Types of Natural Resources Natural resources are defined as anything in nature that people value. Humans depend on Earth s land, oceans, atmosphere, and biosphere for a number of different resources including air, water, soil, minerals, energy, plants, and animals. Clean water is arguably the most essential natural resource on Earth as it is necessary for life and maintaining health. While the Earth is mostly water, only about 2.5% of it is fresh water. Of that 2.5%, even less is considered safe to drink. Air is considered a natural resource since the oxygen in the air is vital to survival of humans and other animals. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide in air is needed for plants to convert energy from the sun into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. Soil is another natural resource that is composed of many different particles and nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Plants, in turn, are resources for food along with the many different animals that feed on them. Larger trees are sources of lumber that can be burned for heat or used for building homes. The Earth s crust also contains many minerals like copper, cobalt, platinum, iron, and diamond that are collected for a wide range of uses in electronics, telecommunications, and transportation. Metal ore deposits are also used for steel production. Energy from sources, like fossil fuels, wind, and sunlight are also considered valuable natural resources and is one of the requirements necessary to run many day-to-day activities. We use energy for everything from running cars and heating homes to powering entire cities. 227

2 Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy Energy is broadly classified into two main groups: renewable energy and nonrenewable energy. Nonrenewable energy is taken from sources that are available on earth in limited quantities and is expected to vanish at one point in the future. They are called nonrenewable because they cannot be re-generated within a short span of time. Examples of nonrenewable sources of energy include: a. Coal (fossil fuel) plants and animals can store energy and some of the energy remains when they die. The energy stored in the remains of these plants and animals make up fossil fuels, which can be mined from seams of coal, found sandwiched between layers of rock in the earth. Most commonly burned to produce heat or electricity. b. Oil (fossil fuel) a carbon-based liquid formed from fossilized plants and animals. Lakes of oil are found between seams of rock in the earth s crust and pipes are sunk down to these reservoirs to pump the oil out. Widely used in industry and transport. c. Natural Gas methane and other gases are trapped between seams of rock under the Earth s surface and pipes are sunk into the ground to release the gas. Often used in houses for heating and cooking. d. Nuclear Energy radioactive minerals such as uranium are mined and electricity is generated from the energy that is released when the atoms are split by nuclear fission in nuclear reactors. able-vs-non-renewable-energysources.jpg/ /renewable-vs-non-renewableenergy-sources.jpg There are many benefits to using nonrenewable energy sources. The economic cost associated with producing nonrenewable energy is low and transforming them from one form of energy to another is relatively cheap. Oil, coal, and gas are easy to transport from one area to another and its availability is not affected by climatic conditions. Although they are not evenly distributed around the globe, nonrenewable energy sources can be found in large abundance in different areas of the world. In terms of nuclear energy, large amounts of energy can be generated from even small amounts of radioactive material. Because of these advantages, nonrenewable energy sources provide for the majority of energy consumed in the world. 228

3 The dependence on nonrenewable energy however, can have devastating effects on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels produces many air pollutants including carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. By definition, nonrenewable energy sources are limited in quantity. Once they are depleted they cannot be replaced. So even though the cost of nonrenewable energy is currently low, the costs drastically rise as their availability diminishes. Energy produced from nuclear reactors also has its drawbacks. Not only is the production and maintenance of nuclear facilities expensive, but the waste produced from nuclear energy is highly toxic and needs to be safely stored for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Leakage of nuclear material can have devastating effects on the environment and all living things in it. Renewable energy is provided by sources of power that are considered infinite or can quickly replenish themselves to be used again and again. Renewable energy is mostly used in generating electricity, heating, and in motor fuels through the use of renewable bio-fuels. Common renewable sources of energy include: e. Solar energy from sunlight is captured by photovoltaic cells in solar panels and converted into electricity. f. Wind wind turbines turn the mechanical energy of moving air particles into electricity. g. Tidal A certain type of dam called a tidal barrage is built across estuaries, as water levels natural rise and fall, the movement of tides drives turbines that turn the mechanical energy of the water into electricity. h. Waves the movement of seawater on the shore drives turbines that convert the mechanical energy of the water into electricity. i. Geothermal It is possible to use the natural heat produced by volcanic regions of the earth. Cold water is pumped underground and returns to the surface as steam. The steam can then be used for heating purposes or to power turbines to create electricity. j. Hydrological or Hydroelectric Power (HEP) energy harnessed from the movement of water through rivers, lakes, and dams. k. Biomass obtained from decaying plant or animal waste. This organic material can be burned to provide heat and light or chemically treated and used as a fuel in diesel engines. Biomass is only a renewable resource if crops are replanted. l. Wood obtained from falling trees and Is burned to produce heat and light. Trees are only considered renewable if trees are replanted. e-vs-non-renewable-energysources.jpg/ /renewable-vs-non-renewableenergy-sources.jpg 229

4 Currently, renewable sources of energy make up only about 16% of the total global energy that is consumed on a daily basis. This is mainly because it is difficult to produce energy quantities that are equivalent to those produced by nonrenewable sources. The technology required to trap renewable energy can also be costly. The building of dams for hydroelectric power and production of solar panels for instance require high initial capital for construction and maintenance. Most renewable sources of energy are also affected by weather, reducing their reliability. Hydrogenerators need constant rainfall to overflow the dams, wind turbines only rotate if there is sufficient wind speed, and solar panels are ineffective at night and under cloudy conditions. /investmen t- solar-wind-energy.jpg Renewable energy, however, offers a number of benefits. One obvious benefit is its infinite supply. By definition, renewable energy is easily regenerated and cannot be depleted. Unlike fossil fuels, which are concentrated in certain areas of the earth, renewable energy sources can be found throughout the world. Since there is no burning required of renewable energy, it is far more environmentally friendly than the use of nonrenewable energy sources. Renewable energy also promotes self-reliance. A country that can provide its own renewable energy source, such as solarpowered electricity, does not need to rely on other countries for energy. Even small communities can use renewable resources during times of recovery from natural disasters. When communities lose standard services that require the use of natural resources, like electric power or natural gas, wind and solar systems can be used to provide services until the usual methods can be restored. Emerging Trends Governments and organizations around the world are recognizing that the exponential growth of the human population is putting a tremendous amount of pressure on Earth s natural resources. Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major impacts on the land, water, air and ultimately, life on earth. The burning of fossil fuels is changing the Earth s climate, increasing global average temperatures, causing unprecedented melting of polar sea ice and raising sea levels. Given these climate-change threats, renewable energies and the conservation of existing resources appear to be the wave of the future. More and more companies around the world are developing new and innovative technologies that use recycled materials as raw materials in the manufacturing of products. And many countries, including the United States, have programs for limited CO 2 emissions and supporting renewable energy development. 230

5 Review Questions 1. What is a natural resource? List examples of natural resources. 2. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? 3. List examples of nonrenewable energy sources and describe how they are obtained. 4. List examples of renewable energy sources and describe how they are obtained. 5. What are the pros and cons of nonrenewable energy sources? 6. What are the pros and cons of renewable energy sources? 7. How much of the world s energy consumption is provided by renewable energy sources? 231

6 232

7 Name: Period: Date: Distribution of Natural Resources HASPI MS Medical Earth Science Lab 09a MS-ESS3-1 Scenario Materials important to modern technological societies are not uniformly distributed across the planet. Most elements exist in Earth s crust at concentrations too low to be extracted. However, there are some locations where geological processes have concentrated them, making extraction more economically feasible. Historically, humans have populated regions that are climatically, hydrologically, and geologically advantageous for resource availability. The availability of fresh water, agricultural food production, commerce, and other aspects of civilization have driven the development of the human population. In this activity you will analyze the data from a set of interactive world maps to find correlations, if any, between the distribution and use of various natural resources and the distribution and overall wellbeing of the human population. Materials Computer Directions Internet access Population of All Countries of the World Question Response Before analyzing any data, predict the following information. Record your answers in the space provided on the right. What are the three most populated countries in 1 the world (total number of individuals)? 2 3 What are the three most densely populated countries in the world (number of individuals per square kilometer)? What three countries currently have the highest rate of population growth? 233

8 What are the three wealthiest countries in the world? What three countries produce the most crude oil? What three countries consume the most crude oil? What three countries produce the most electricity? What three countries consume the most electricity? What three countries generate the highest percentage of their electricity using renewable sources? What three countries, or parts of the world, have the least access to sanitation facilities? What three countries, or parts of the world, have the least amount of access to improved drinking water sources? What three countries have the greatest life expectancy at birth? 13 What three countries, or parts of the world, have the highest infant mortality rates? 234

9 To access the data and world maps for this activity, go to the following website: ***Charts and maps on this website are based on data published in The World Factbook, a reference resource produced and updated by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The World Factbook can be accessed here: All maps and data tables provided on this website will have the same functions. Use the following information to help you navigate through the data provided on the interactive maps. DATA TABLE: a. Click on a country name: zooms to that country in the map and selects it. b. Click on a table heading: sorts the table accordingly and depicts the corresponding data column by the map and the chart viewer. MAPS: c. or double click with the mouse: zoom in d. : zoom out e. : zooms out to world view f. Move mouse cursor over a country: the characteristics of the country will be depicted g. Click on a country area: the corresponding table entry will be depicted and highlighted h. : increases the height of the world map i. : decreases the height of the world map All information above can be found on the INFO page of the website 235

10 Access the Population Size and Density map under the POPULATIONS heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 most populated counties by total population. Country Total # Persons 1 List the top 5 most densely populated countries by number of individuals per square kilometer. Country Total # Persons per km What year(s) does this data represent? 236

11 Access the Population Growth Rates map under the POPULATONS heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 4 How is the population growth rate of a country determined? List the top 5 most rapidly growing countries in the world. Country Total # Persons 5 6 What does a negative growth rate represent? How many countries have a negative population growth rate? Which, if any, notable countries surprised you with a negative population growth rate? What is the overall population growth rate of all the countries of the world combined? What year(s) does this data represent? 10 What year(s) does this data represent? 237

12 Access the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) map under the ECONOMY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 11 Define Gross Domestic Product. 12 What do economists use this value for? List the countries with the top 5 total GDP values. Country Total GDP (Million US-$) In what region(s) of the world are the countries with the lowest GDP per capita ( per capita means per person ) concentrated in? 15 What year(s) does this data represent? 238

13 Access the Oil Production map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that produce the most amount of crude oil. Country Total Oil Production (barrels per day) How much crude oil is produced by all countries of the world combined per day? 18 How many liters is equivalent to 1 barrel of oil? 19 In what region(s) of the world generates the least amount of oil production? What year(s) does this data represent?

14 Access the Oil Consumption map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that consume the most amount of crude oil. Country Total Oil Consumption (barrels per day) How much oil is consumed by all the countries of the world combined per day? How does this value compare to the amount of oil produced by all the countries of the world combined? How does the amount of oil consumption in the United States compare to its oil production? (compare data collected found using oil production map) In what region(s) of the world is responsible for the least amount of oil consumption? What year(s) does this data represent? 240

15 Access the Electricity Production map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that produce the most amount of electricity. Country Total Electricity Production (million kilowatt-hours/year) How much total electricity is produced by all countries of the world? 28 In what region(s) of the world generates the least amount of electricity production? 29 What year(s) does this data represent? 241

16 Access the Electricity Consumption map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that consume the most amount of electricity. Country Total Electricity Produced (million kilowatt-hours/year) How much electricity is consumed by all the countries of the world combined per day? How does this value compare to the amount of electricity produced by all the countries of the world combined? How does the amount of electricity consumption in the United States compare to its electricity production? (compare data collected found using electricity production map) 33 What year(s) does this data represent? 242

17 Access the Carbon Dioxide Emissions map under the ENVIRONMENT heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that produce the most carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels Country Total CO 2 Produced (metric tons) In what region(s) of the world generates the most amount of carbon dioxide per capita? 36 In what region(s) of the world generates the least amount of carbon dioxide? 37 What year(s) does this data represent? 243

18 Access the Hydro Electricity map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. List the top 5 countries in the world that produce the highest percentage of their electricity production by water-driven turbines. Country Percent of Total Electricity Produced Where does the United States rank in terms of the generation of electricity by water-driven turbines? In what region(s) of the world generates the least amount of hydroelectric power? How many countries on this graph do not produce any electricity by way of water-driven turbines? What percentage of all the electricity produced in the world is generated by water-driven turbiines? What year(s) does this data represent? 244

19 Access the Electricity By Other Renewable Sources map under the ENERGY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 44 What types of energy sources are represented in this data set? List the top 5 countries in the world that produce the highest percentage of their electricity production by renewable energy sources other than hydroelectric. Country Percent of Total Electricity Produced Where does the United States rank in terms of the generation of electricity by renewable energy sources other than hydroelectric? How many countries on this graph do not produce any electricity by renewable energy sources other than hydroelectric? What year(s) does this data represent? 245

20 Access the Unimproved Sanitation map under the HEALTH heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 49 Define unimproved sanitation. List the top 5 countries with the highest percentage of their population only with access to unimproved sanitation facilities. Country Percent of Population What percentage of the population in the United States only has access to unimproved sanitation facilities? What region(s) of the world are countries with unimproved sanitation facilities concentrated in? According to this data set, what percentage of the world s population only has access to unimproved sanitation facilities? What year(s) does this data represent? 246

21 Access the Unimproved Drinking Water Sources map under the HEALTH heading of the site s INDEX page.( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 55 What is an unimproved drinking water source? How is it different than an improved drinking water source? List the top 5 countries with the highest percentage of their population only with access to unimproved drinking water sources. Country Percent of Population What percentage of the population in the U.S. only has access to unimproved drinking water sources? What region(s) of the world are countries with unimproved drinking water sources concentrated in? According to this data set, what percentage of the world s population only has access to unimproved sanitation facilities? What year(s) does this data represent? 247

22 Access the Underweight Children map under the HEALTH heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 61 How is underweight defined in this dataset? 62 What are some of the causes this dataset mentions as the cause of underweight children? List the top 5 countries in the world with the highest percentage of underweight children? Country Percentage of Children Under Where does the United States rank in terms of underweight children under five in the world? Why are there no values listed when you highlight some of the countries in grey on the map? What year(s) does this data represent? 248

23 Access the Life Expectancy at Birth map under the DEMOGRAPHY heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 67 According to this dataset, the life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall.. List the top 5 countries in the world according to their average life expectancies at birth. Country Average Life Expectancy (Years) Where does the United States rank in terms of average life expectancy at birth? In what region(s) of the world do you see the lowest average life expectancies at birth? What is the overall average life expectancy at birth for the entire population of the world? What year(s) does this data represent? 249

24 Access the Obesity map under the Health heading of the site s INDEX page. ( Answer the following questions using the information from the world map, data table, and data description provided. 73 How is obesity defined? What is BMI? List the top 5 countries in the world in which obese adults make up the highest percentage of their overall populations. Country Percent of Population Where does the United States rank in terms of average life expectancy at birth? In what region(s) of the world do you see the lowest percentages of populations suffering from obesity? 77 What year(s) does this data represent? 250

25 Analysis Questions 1. Were any of your predictions you made before analyzing any data correct? If so, which ones? 2. What data, if any, surprised you? Why? 3. What impact would a country with a high population growth rate have on the world s natural resources? 4. What do you think a country does if it uses more electricity than it produces? (Besides producing electricity, where else can a country get its electricity?) 5. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s population and oil consumption? What data justifies your answer? 6. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s population and electricity consumption? What data justifies your answer? 7. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s population and carbon dioxide emissions? What data justifies your answer? 8. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s GDP and oil consumption? What data justifies your answer? 9. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s GDP and renewable energy production? What data justifies your answer? 10. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s GDP and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 11. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s GDP and access to sanitation facilities? What data justifies your answer? 12. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s GDP and access to improved water sources? What data justifies your answer? 13. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s oil production and oil consumption? What data justifies your answer? 14. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s electricity production and electricity consumption? What data justifies your answer? 15. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s carbon dioxide emissions and renewable energy production? What data justifies your answer? 16. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s carbon dioxide emissions and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 17. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s electricity consumption and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 18. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s oil consumption and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 19. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s renewable energy production and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 20. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s access to sanitation facilities and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 21. What is the correlation, if any, between a country s access to improved water sources and average life expectancy? What data justifies your answer? 22. Why do you think it is important to recognize the year the data represents? 251

26 252

27 Name: Period: Date: Hydropower HASPI MS Medical Earth Science Lab 09b Scenario Hydropower is a renewable source of electricity generated using the kinetic energy of moving water. Kinetic energy is the energy associated with motion. Rain and melted snow that usually originates in hills and mountains gather to create streams and rivers that eventually flow into the ocean. Anyone who has been white water rafting or stood by a waterfall can attest to how much energy is generated by the movement of water. The kinetic energy from moving water has been exploited for centuries. Farmers in ancient Greece and ancient China first used water wheels to run mills that grind wheat into flour. Consisting of a large wooden or metal wheel with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim, water wheels provided a way to transfer the kinetic energy of moving water into mechanical energy (energy that does work) to power mills. Throughout history, water wheels have also been used for, among other things, grinding wood into pulp for papermaking, hammering and shaping iron, pounding fiber for manufacturing cloth, and lifting payloads out of mines. In the late 19 th century the principles of the water wheel, coupled with Michael Faraday s discovery of the operating principles of the electric generator, made way for development of the world s first hydroelectric power plants. A typical hydroelectric plant has three parts: a dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow, an electric plant where electricity is produced, and a reservoir where water can be stored. The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against blades in a turbine, causing them to turn much like a water wheel. The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on how far the water drops and how much water moves through the system. The electricity can then be transported over long distance electricity lines to homes, factories, and businesses. The first hydroelectric power plant was built in 1879 in Niagara Falls, New York and was used to power the city s street lamps. In 1882 the world s first hydroelectric power station began operating in 253

28 Appleton, Wisconsin. By 1886 there were 45 hydroelectric power stations in the United States and Canada and over 200 in the U.S. alone by At the beginning of the 20 th century, many small hydroelectric power stations were being constructed by commercial companies all over the globe. The biggest hydroelectric plant in the United States is located at the Grand Coulee Dam, pictured below, on the Columbia River in Washington State. In fact, more than 70 percent of the electricity generated in the state of Washington is produced by hydroelectric facilities. Currently, hydroelectric power provides almost one-fifth of the world s electricity and is considered to be the cheapest way to generate electricity today. Once a dam has been built and the equipment has been installed, the energy source of flowing water is free. It s a clean fuel source that is renewable by yearly snow and rainfall. Hydropower is also readily available and engineers can easily control the flow of water through the turbines to produce electricity on demand. In this activity you and your group members will build a water wheel to model how the kinetic energy of moving water can be harnessed and transformed into other forms of energy, in this case, mechanical energy. You will run tests to see how the amount of water and how far the water drops affects the work output of the water wheel. Materials Plastic 2-liter bottle Wooden skewer Corks (3) String Tape Beaker/water jug Pennies Permanent marker Directions Task Cut a plastic 2-liter bottle into three pieces. Use a permanent marker for guidance. Scissors Ruler Paper towel Image 1 First, completely remove the top part of the bottle by cutting along the circumference towards the top, where the bottle starts to curve into the neck. Second, cut a straight line, 5 cm long, down the side of the middle of the bottle. Lastly, make another cut around the circumference of the bottle, 5cm below the first cut. 254

29 2 Task On the top portion of the 2-liter bottle, punch 2 holes on opposite sides, just below the rim. Image 3 Using the middle section of the plastic bottle, cut out 8 rectangular strips, 4cm x 2cm. Recycle any leftover plastic from this section of the bottle. 4 Draw 8 lines evenly around one of the corks and cut slits down these lines with a knife. BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS when cutting the slits in the cork as its round shape makes it easy for it to roll around. Push each of the 8 plastic blades into the slits made in the cork. Make sure each blade curves in the same direction. 5 On the base portion of the 2-liter bottle, pierce 2 holes on opposite sides, 4 cm below rim. 6 7 Cut a wooden skewer in half. Feed each half through a hole in the rim of the 2-liter bottle and push each skewer half into each end of the cork. Make sure this is firm and the skewer halves can turn freely in the holes. 255

30 Push the second and third corks into the other ends of the skewers, outside of the base. 8 Tie one end of a sting around one of the outside corks (does not matter which one) and secure with tape. 9 Attach the other end of the string to the top part of the 2- liter bottle using the 2 holes you punched through earlier Position your water wheel towards the edge of the table so that the top portion of the 2-liter bottle hangs freely, upside down, acting like a basket. You may need to have one of your group members hold the water wheel base to make sure it does not fall over. To put your water wheel to work, pour water over the blades of the water wheel and into the base. As the water wheel turns, the string will wind up around the outside cork, lifting the basket. Once you have poured all of your water over the blades, have one person in your group stop the cork from spinning in the opposite direction so your basket does not fall back down. Use data table 1 and run multiple trials to test how the amount of water used affects the output of your water wheel. Remember, good experiments test only one variable at a time, while all other variables are kept the same. Be sure to consult with your group members to make sure the only variable you are changing is the one being tested. Table 1. Amount of Water Used Trial # Amount of H 2 O Height of H 2 O # of Pennies Distance Weight Was Lifted

31 Use data table 2 and run multiple trials to test how the height from which the water is poured affects the output of your water wheel. Remember, good experiments test only one variable at a time, while all other variables are kept the same. Be sure to consult with your group members to make sure the only variable you are changing is the one being tested. Table 2. Height Water Was Poured Trial # 1 Amount of H 2 O Height of H 2 O # of Pennies Distance Weight Was Lifted Analysis Questions 1. What is the different between kinetic and mechanical energy? Give examples of both. 2. When the water wheel first used and what was it primarily used for? 3. How can a water wheel be used to generate electricity? 4. How did you quantify the productivity of your water wheel in your experiment? 5. How does the amount of water affect the productivity of your water wheel? What data from your experiment justifies your answer? 6. How does the height from which the water is poured affect the productivity of your water wheel? What data from your experiment justifies your answer? 7. What improvements can you make to your water wheel to make it more productive? 8. What sources of error, if any, did you see while testing your water wheel? What improvements would you make to your tests to make your data more credible? 257

32 258

33 Name: Period: Date: Natural Resources HASPI MS Medical Earth Science Lab 09 MS-ESS3-1 Connections & Applications Your instructor may assign or allow you to choose any of the following activities. As per NGSS/CCSS, these extensions allow students to explore outside activities recommended by the standards. 1. WIND ENERGY: Wind turbines use the same principles as hydroelectric power plants to convert kinetic energy into electricity. Instead of harnessing kinetic energy from moving water, wind turbines capture the energy from moving air or wind. Design and create a wind turbine using everyday household materials, much like how you put together the water wheel in Lab 09d. If placed in front of a fan, your wind turbine should demonstrate its work output capabilities. Make a list of materials and create a set of building instructions that you easily share with your classmates. tdna-cdn.com/files/2014/04/windturbines17.jpg 2. WATER RESOURCES & DROUGHT: The state of California is currently facing one of the most severe droughts in history. California Governor Jerry Brown even declared the drought a State of Emergency in January 2015 and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages. This has led to the implementation of many different water restrictions and water saving programs. Research how the current drought is affecting your hometown. Share your findings with your classmates in a 5-minute power point or digital media presentation. You may wish to include, but not limit your presentation to, the following information: Timeline of major events that have led to current drought conditions Water restrictions, if any, that are being implemented by local water companies Helpful tips to help limit water usage. 3. NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH: Watch one of the following TED Talks. Using biology to rethink the energy challenge, Juan Enriquez (Futurist) The Earth is full, Paul Gilding (Writer) Write a one to two paragraph response to the presentation. Be sure to: Summarize the main points the author is trying to make in the presentation. How does the presentation relate to Earth s natural resources? 259

34 Share your thoughts about the presentation. o Do you agree/disagree with statements made in the presentation? o Have you experienced real life examples that relate to the ideas discussed in this presentation? o How does this presentation relate to other things you have read or learned about? o What would you like to know more about after reading this presentation? 260