Enjoy spring Vacation_Enjoy Science Fun!

1:  Help with an animal rescue association and learn more about how to help animals-G. Point trains guinea pigs

Coco holds a world record for the most tricks performed in under a minute

2:  Visit Science world and take in the new t-rex exhibit “The Ultimate Predator” 

Encounter the prehistoric wonders of the late Cretaceous Period and come face-to-face with a 66-million-year-old marvel! In T. rex: The Ultimate Predator, presented by RBC and White Spot Restaurants, you can walk through the world millions of years ago where this gigantic creature roamed the earth with a hunter’s keen senses. 

3:  Learn more about how marine animals are adapting to increased levels of pollution

4.  Learn more about the intersection between seaweed and art at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum Exhibit

5.  Visit the Science Snacks Section of the Exploratorium Science Museum

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) issued a bleak report on the state of the Earth’s panel.  

Increased heatwaves, droughts and floods are already exceeding plants’ and animals’ tolerance thresholds, driving mass mortalities in species such as trees and corals. These weather extremes are occurring simultaneously, causing cascading impacts that are increasingly difficult to manage. They have exposed millions of people to acute food and water insecurity, especially in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, on Small Islands and in the Arctic.

To avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, ambitious, accelerated action is required to adapt to climate change, at the same time as making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. So far, progress on adaptation is uneven and there are increasing gaps between action taken and what is needed to deal with the increasing risks, the new report finds. These gaps are largest among lower-income populations. 

Are there ways that students and teachers can make a change to protect the Earth from run away heating?

The study found that sticking to six specific commitments – from flying no more than once every three years to only buying three new items of clothing a year – could rein in the runaway consumption that is partially driving the climate crisis.

The research carried out by academics at Leeds University and analysed by experts at the global engineering firm Arup and the C40 group of world cities, found that making the six commitments could account for a quarter of the emissions reductions required to keep the global heating down to 1.5C.

Plants need light to preform a chemical reaction known as synthesis.  Plants first need to capture light.  How is light capture preformed by plants?

Learn more about photosynthesis_Video Clip 2

Learn even more about photosynthesis_video clip 3

Learn more about elements: What is Helium gas made of?

Happy Family Day! – Enjoy your day off!

Are you ‘phubbing’ right now? What it is and why science says it’s bad for your relationships

Science Unscripted – learn more about phubbing’s negative effect on relationships:

A set of studies actually showed that just having a phone out and present during a conversation (say, on the table between you) interferes with your sense of connection to the other person, the feelings of closeness experienced, and the quality of the conversation.  Especially during meaningful conversations, you lose the opportunity for true and authentic connection to another person, the core tenet of any friendship or relationship. These findings hold true regardless of people’s age, ethnicity, gender, or mood. We feel more empathy when smartphones are put away.

Research by Barbara Fredrickson, beautifully described in her book Love 2.0, suggests that intimacy happens in micro-moments: talking over breakfast, the exchange with the UPS guy, the smile of a child. The key is to be present and mindful. A revealing study showed that we are happiest when we are present, no matter what we are doing. Can we be present with the person in front of us right now, no matter who it is?

Groundhogs as weather predictors

Creature feature Groundhogs

A 3 km long coral reef has been discovered in the south pacific off of the coast of Tahiti

A “magical” coral reef stretching as far as the eye can see has been discovered off the coast of the South Pacific island Tahiti.

Most of the world’s known coral reefs are at depths of 25 metres and above, with many facing the risk of collapse as the world’s oceans continue to heat.

In September, a study found coral reef coverage had fallen by half since the 1950s because of global heating, overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction.

Speaking to the BBC Prof Murray Roberts, a marine scientist at the University of Edinburgh, said the discovery underscored the need to map similar reefs to make sure they can be protected in the future.

“We still associate corals with the shallowest tropical seas but here we find a huge previously unknown coral reef system.

“As shallow waters warm faster than the deeper waters we may find these deeper reef systems are refuges for corals in the future. We need to get out there to map these special places,” he said.

Is Pluto a planet?   Daily 5 Read more and decide!

What’s so great about being a planet?

The 2022 Michael Smith Science Challenge Competition takes place on Feb. 15, 2022.

The Michael Smith Science Challenge is a bilingual national competition written by students in Grade 10 Science or lower.

It emphasizes logical thinking and covers material in the science curriculum common to all provinces.

It is named in honour of UBC’s Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Michael Smith and is sponsored by the UBC Faculty of Science.

Prizes are awarded to the top students (and their teachers) in each province, territory, and nationally.

The 2022 Challenge will be run entirely online – students will complete the challenge entirely online at school or at home – depending on local circumstances and at the discretion of the teacher.

No teacher invigilation is required. Teachers with questions regarding the challenge can contact mschall@phas.ubc.ca for more information.

The 2022 official writing day is Tuesday, February 15, 2022

This challenge will be a one-hour, timed contest to be started and completed between 06:00-20:00 Pacific Standard Time.

Students need to register with their teacher to participate in the competion.  The exam is written online.  Please see your science teacher to register before Jan. 21, 2022.

Interested?  Take a look at the 2021 competition.

Prizes

We reserve the right not to give a provincial prize if the top mark from that province is lower than the national average, or if less than 20 students or three schools participate from that province. We also reserve the right, in the event of a draw, to depart from our stated list of national prizes.

Nationally: 1st – $500, 2nd – $250, 3rd – $100

Provincially: $100 for the top student without a national prize, $50 for each student in a tie

Teachers: $50 for a teacher with a prize-winning student

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/fluor-challenge-2022?from=Newsletter

Fluor 2022 Engineering Challenge