WAVE PROJECT: INDEPENDENT EXPERIMENT
The purpose of this project was for each of us to individually demonstrate that we could use the scientific method and put it to an experiment of our choice.
DESIGN IT CLEAN: KAJIADO DISTRICT KENYA
The Design it Clean project objective was to become aware of some of our global water issues and have an idea of how to help solve them. Each group chose an area around the world to focus on and research. Using what we learned about that area and what specifically was contaminating the water there we designed a water filter. Depending on what was in the water, would depend on how the filter was made. After our filters were made we did several real world tests to see if our filters worked in relation to our area. Our area was the Kajiado District in Kenya. We constructed two water filters. Our first one used the bottom of a hummingbird feeder and a plastic bottle. Inside the plastic bottle, which was attached to the feeder were multiple layers of filtration. Although it worked, the water did not flow through the filter efficiently. We remade the filter using two halves of water bottles, but keeping the same concept of the layers. This worked very well and proved somewhat effective on removing chemicals and bacteria from the dirty water. Below is a document of our project:
Our final design and filter:
SNOW SCIENCE AWARENESS PROJECT:
This snow science project has been very informative and eye opening to me. I’ve never really thought about avalanches being a real threat in peoples lives before, because I didn't know anything about them and I thought that when they did occur it was some sort of freak accident. I know now that avalanches can kill the most certified skier or the most learned person in snow science. Avalanches don’t play favorites, they happen and you better hope you’re not in the way. Although I do not backcountry ski, I have always wanted to. Now, if I ever backcountry ski, I will take the most precautions and be very aware to my surroundings before heading out. This project has helped me realize that one of the most important things about snow science studies, is to be aware of the threats and to get the facts out there to the greater world. Because I have never done a lot of snow sports, I would say that snow science was relevant to me and my life in just awareness of how big a threat it is.
During this project we covered some of the roles of water and snow melt in the American West. I understand now that the Colorado River is fed by snow-melt (streamflow). If snowpack increases, streamflow increases. The Colorado takes it into the Southwest, but there is only so much water in the river and the Colorado supplies water to many of the Southwestern states. Using evidence and statistics from the past scientists can predict the future and allocate the right amount of water for each state, so that no state is left with no water. The problem is that what if it doesn’t snow much one year and all those allocations change. Water is a precious resource and many of us take it for granted, if we stay on the track we’re heading down water usage wise, in years to come water will be more valuable than ever.
A skill that I developed throughout this project is independent research and learning. This showed especially when I read the article on tunnel lake and also when we looked at the Colorado Avalanche warning signs and predictions. I was very interested in the material and I learned a lot on my own. Something I really enjoyed doing in this project was the avalanche simulation. At first I was confused and didn’t understand how this would help us, but after we did our experiments, I totally understood avalanches to a whole other level. I really enjoyed this hands on learning. One thing I struggled with was understanding terrain traps and trigger points. I also had a hard time understanding the topographic map and was confused on how I could use that to my advantage.
Our poster topic is “Warning Signs of Avalanches”. These are the basic 6 ways to see if you are in avalanche danger. You can refer to these warning signs before you leave for your “snow adventure” and while you’re there. If any one of these is present it is important to use extreme caution while traveling. This relates to snow science on a more awareness stance. It fits into snow science because it directly correlates to when an avalanche can happen and why it might happen. These warning signs are the following:
1. Recent avalanches
During this project we covered some of the roles of water and snow melt in the American West. I understand now that the Colorado River is fed by snow-melt (streamflow). If snowpack increases, streamflow increases. The Colorado takes it into the Southwest, but there is only so much water in the river and the Colorado supplies water to many of the Southwestern states. Using evidence and statistics from the past scientists can predict the future and allocate the right amount of water for each state, so that no state is left with no water. The problem is that what if it doesn’t snow much one year and all those allocations change. Water is a precious resource and many of us take it for granted, if we stay on the track we’re heading down water usage wise, in years to come water will be more valuable than ever.
A skill that I developed throughout this project is independent research and learning. This showed especially when I read the article on tunnel lake and also when we looked at the Colorado Avalanche warning signs and predictions. I was very interested in the material and I learned a lot on my own. Something I really enjoyed doing in this project was the avalanche simulation. At first I was confused and didn’t understand how this would help us, but after we did our experiments, I totally understood avalanches to a whole other level. I really enjoyed this hands on learning. One thing I struggled with was understanding terrain traps and trigger points. I also had a hard time understanding the topographic map and was confused on how I could use that to my advantage.
Our poster topic is “Warning Signs of Avalanches”. These are the basic 6 ways to see if you are in avalanche danger. You can refer to these warning signs before you leave for your “snow adventure” and while you’re there. If any one of these is present it is important to use extreme caution while traveling. This relates to snow science on a more awareness stance. It fits into snow science because it directly correlates to when an avalanche can happen and why it might happen. These warning signs are the following:
1. Recent avalanches
- more likely to trigger avalanche if recent ones have happened in that area
- Mother Nature’s Warning Signs - cracking or collapsing, whumphing sounds, hollow drum-like sounds on hard snow
- if there has been heavy rain or snowfall in the past 24 hours avalanches are more prone to happen
- windblown snow piles on leeward slopes create unstable layers even if it’s not snowing out
- a lot to do with aspect
- warming temperatures cause the snow to becoming less stable
- these can be a threat even when there are no other warning signs. you can’t see them because they are buried under the snowpack and they are hard to locate or find.