Los
Marcianos
The Martian Newsletter from Class 8
NAME: MEGAN COODY
SCHOOL:St. Anne Catholic School
DATE:March 27, 1997
TITLE :Imagination:A Journey Through our Minds
ARTICLE:
On the date of March 27, 1997 Mrs. Dawson was absent.
The class substitute was a man by the name of Mr. Barnes.
The class assembled in a circel around Mr. Barnes and
started class in the vicinity of 1:10 pm. The basis of
the day's education was imagination. They journeyed deep
into the human mind by using pantomime and mimic. Encountering
these various forms of imagination enhanced the class'
ability to express their thoughts and ideas. Pantomime
and imagination are two of the most vital assets in science.
For if their was no imagination then how would the innumerable
amount of experiments and ideas be created. Imagination
is the basis in which a person creates and without one,
coming up with a new idea or concept could be virtually
impossible. Moving into the new era scientists use their
imaginations to the farthest extent possible. The class
studied this by becoming different items, thinking and
doing as the items would think and do. The class 8H homeroom
!
did an activity in mimicry by saying their names and
performing a certain action. This had to be copied by
the whole class before they could go on to the next person
who would do the come up with his/her own movement. It
was very challenging. This tested our memorization skills
as well. Throughout the class skills for everyday life
were established. Some of these were:
1)Using your thoughts and ideas extensively
2)Being able to put your thoughts and words into actions
3)Using your imagination to figure out ways to communicate
with others
4)Using creativity to express abstract or unreachable
ideas
Communication is a large way of life. Without communication
ther could be no live research on any of the planets and
there could be no accord in the lives of our people. Studying
this in class brought the students to a quick reality
about being at a loss of speaking. Moving through life
is a tough skill to learn in itself. In order to make
the move fun and efficient, take it from the center of
the eighth grade science class, use your IMAGINATION!
Thank you. See you next time I journey into the mysteries
of 8H's science class.
NAME: CATHERINE MCANELLY
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:March 7, 1997
TITLE :Experiments
ARTICLE:
This is Catherine McAnelly reporting from Mrs. Dawson's
class on the afternoon of March 7, 1997. We covered in
one class period the experiment that many different groups
will use for their focus question. Earlier in the year
students were told to choose a focus question they would
research for a quarter or two. The students now have researched
their question for several weeks now and were told by
Mrs. Dawson to develope a experiment to prove their hypothesis.
For example my groups question is how have the culture
of some civilizations been influenced by volcanic and
other geographical features. In our experiment we are
going to eat the plants that have grown in our back yard
and see if we can survive by just that. Once the groups
have come up with a experiment they write out a lab report
and it will be graded by Mrs. Dawson. This Catherine McAnelly
saying good bye and to remind you that "Science Is
Golden"!
NAME: RYAN JOHNSON
SCHOOL:St. Anne
DATE:February 24, 1997
TITLE :Weather Review
ARTICLE:
During today’s class we did a lot of various things.
First, Mrs. Dawson handed us our work back. Then we went
over some of our questions from our summary pages. We
moved on to the next question once we had efficiently
answered previous question. Mrs. Dawson thought that we
were not thinking up to our maximum capacity, so she opened
the windows and made us touch our toes several times and
do jumping jacks until she told us to stop. The questions
that were asked were about clouds, humidity, temperature
and pressure. We discussed in great detail many aspects
of pressure and acid rain. This caused us to do a lab
on pressure. We drew square inches all over graph paper
and got a partner. Next, we traced our knees on the graph
paper and counted the square inches our knees took up.
This was put into a ratio, force equals weight over area
and force equals pressure. Last we did the same lab but
with Josh’s whole body. This lab concluded todays
class.
NAME: JAMIE BYRD
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:February 21,1997
TITLE :Eye Witness Weather
ARTICLE :
Today Mrs. Hahahmann some of the groups gave the group
report. One group consisting of Megan Cody, Sandy Lee,
Katie Hodges, Desiree Ledet, Mary Porter, and Courtney
Williams gave a television report about pressure. The
report was divided into segments of a newscast. These
segments included the the history, working, and uses of
the barometer and thermometer. The effects of pressure
on the human body. The effects of pressure on the weather.
Detailed definition of pressure.
NAME: COURTNEY WILLIAMS
SCHOOL: St. Ann Catholic School
DATE: February 20, 1997
TITLE : Scientific Meteorology (Presentation)
ARTICLE:
Today, in Mrs. Dawson's 8th grade science class, 3 out
of 4 groups presented their weather presentations, in
which together they told about the basics of weather.
As the day progressed each group discussed, in total;
precipitation, temperature, pressure, and winds.
First, the precipitation group discussed the types of
hail, snow, and the most common, rain. This group also
discussed how temperature and weather caused precipitation
and how hail, rain and snow form.
Now, THE MOST
INTERESTING OF THE PRESENTATIONS WAS THE GROUP ON TEMPERATURE
AND PRESSURE.
They discussed their topic as a T.V. news show called,
"Eyewitness Weather". As individuals each discussed
high and low pressure, barometers, fronts, folklore of
pressure, thermometers and sysbomls used for weather maps.
They also had GREAT visual aids which they used
to help better explain their topic.
The finale of the day was the group on
winds. This group discussed the Beaufort wind scale, how
winds moved, how they are charted by the meteorologist
and what their movements mean.
This day was the most creative day in
Mrs. Dawson's science class, and I hope that I can experience
more of them.
NAME: CATHERINE MCANELLY
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:February 19, 1997
TITLE :Weather Project Reports
ARTICLE:
This is Catherine McAnelly reporting from Mrs. Dawson's
exciting science class. today in two class periods four
lab groups displayed and discussed their weather projects.
There were four different topics: Precipitation, Wind,
Temperature and Pressure, and Clouds and Humidty. The
members in the group were expected to be experts in the
topic they had and were to inform the rest of the class
on the information they had learned. They use several
different ways to present their projects while the rest
of the class took notes and asked questions. Most of the
class did received failing grades and wrote letters to
their parents explaining the reason for their low grade.
Reporting next month this is Catherine
McAnelly saying to all students out there that SCIENCE
WILL ALWAYS BE GOLDEN!
NAME: MATT PEREZ
SCHOOL: St. Anne School
DATE:February 13, 1997
TITLE : "Jason Jubilation"
ARTICLE:
Today in Mrs. Dawson's class we worked on our Jason project.
Our objective was to share everybody's ideas and determine
what every- body's ideas are. We took every idea and formulated
different ques- tions for each idea. Doing this will enable
us to ask intelligent questions to researchers who do
this line of work.
We are trying to determine what tools
researchers use to inves- tigate volcanism. By sharing
ideas, formulating questions and asking researchers to
help us, our group will get a better understanding of
the specific functions of the tools researchers use to
investigate volcanism. By better understanding the functions
of the tools, our group will be better able to understand
what ways we can use the tools to research volcanism.
This is all very interesting and I am
looking foward to learning more about "Jason Jubilation".
NAME: WILL SCHORP
SCHOOL: St. Anne School
DATE: February 16, 1997
TITLE : What I can get with a 95 average...............
ARTICLE:
I am reporting live from St. Anne School on the corner
of Westheimer and Shepherd near Downtown Houston. This
morning, Mrs. Marcella Dawson ex- plained an Internet
project to her class. This project started with a simple
question which we are waiting to hear about.
To do this assignment the class was split into two groups.
One consists of all of the girls in the class and the
other group consists of all of the boys in the class.
Once each group chose a question to work on they would
then compose an outline for the research. One of my inside
contacts has just told me that the boys have chosen the
question concerning what tools scientists use to study
volcanism. The boys had to form an online template since
it is an Internet project. They spent the entire class
today working on the purpose of their report. At this
time, no one knows what question the girls have chosen.
I will give you an update as soon as I learn what question
the girls have chosen.
Mrs. Dawson also announced the students that have a 95
grade average or better. These outstanding students do
not have to do their homework as a reward. These students
are Megan Coody, Desiree Ledet, Ashley Mayes, Sandy Lee,
CourtneY Williams and Katie Hodges. This is Will Schorp
reporting live from St. Anne School. Now, back to you,
Willard Scott.
NAME: PATRICK CALLAHAN
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:February 12, 1997
TITLE :Air Pressure
ARTICLE:
On February 12, 1997, in science class, the first avtivity
of the day that we did was collect the daily data of wind,
precipitation, temperature, pressure, clouds, and humidity.
These were all gathered and put into the computer. We
then all looked at maps displaying the current weather
in humidity, wind, temperature, and precipitation. Recording
this information we went back and each person made their
own prediction of what the weather in Texas would be like
in a certain field. Then, everyone who had the same field
got together and made a group report. We then shared these
reports with the rest of the class. This is a brief summary
of what each group predicted:
Group Prediction
Cloud and Humidity group- That the Humidity in west Texas
would go to 20% and in the southeast it would rise to
95%. The clouds over most of Texas would be stratus and
cirrus.
Temperature and Pressure- A incoming cold front would
cause all temperatures to go as group low as 65 degrees
and this would cause the pressure to rise and get to 30+.
Precipitation group- The incoming front would also bring
rain with it and there would be heavy rain all over Texas.
Wind group- The wind group predicted that the winds would
be caused to rise and blow from the northeast due to the
changes in pressure and that the wind could get up to
15 mph.
We then checked these on the computer and found that
most of our predictions had been correct. After this we
began an experiment showing use how air pressure worked
and the relationship of heat to pressure and how it causes
it to decrease in pressure. In this lab we placed a soda
can with a small amount water in it, that had been on
a heater, upside down in a tud of cool water. Almost the
instant it touched the water the can collapsed and filled
with water. This happened because the hot molecules that
were holding the can up against the air pressure cooled
off, so the can with no support, collapsed. The can filled
with water because the inside of the crushed can was still
a low pressure area so then air pressure pushed on the
surface of the water in the tub pushing it up into the
low pressure area or can, filling it with water.
NAME: MARY CLARE PORTER
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:February 11, 1997
TITLE :Hard Working Brains
ARTICLE:
Inside Marcella Dawson's classroom, the eighth graders
from 8H were hard at work.
Right at the beginning of class they put their minds to
work, reviewing for the dreaded upcoming test. As the
class got deeper in discussion about air pressure, Mrs.
Dawson performed a lab.
First she heated up a hot plate, while rinsing out two
open Coke cans. She put a little water into each of the
cans and then placed them on the hot plate, until they
steamed. Next, using tongs, she picked up one can and
dipped it upside down in a bin of cold water. (She had
to dip it upside down so that the air inside the can could
not escape easily out the opening.) The instant the can
touched the water, it collapsed. The class learned that
this was the result of air pressure.
The low pressure was in the can and high pressure in the
cold water. The low air pressure met with the high pressure
and they equalled out. (NO NO NO Mary Clare!!!!! think
about it--how could the pressure be IN the water?)
After discussing the lab, the class divided up into the
Jason Project groups and worked on writing their purpose
for working with the Jason question they picked.
At the end of class the science tests were handed out
for homework. To the question, When will we have the real
test?," Mrs. Dawson gave the cryptic answer, "Whenever
I feel like it."
NAME: DANNY MORALES
SCHOOL: St. Anne School
DATE: February 6, 1997
TITLE : "1,2,3 Say Cheese!"
ARTICLE:
Today on February 6, 1997, I learned many new and exciting
things in science class. Due to some students submitting
their log incorrectly, we discussed the proper way to
submit your daily log entry as the first order of business.
Then we took several pictures for CD-Rom Mrs. Dawson,
our teacher, was making of us, which was a lot of fun.
We had to take two of each picture just in case something
was wrong with the first one. We took two class pictures
and several individual ones. After that we completed a
quick experiement. We had to shake a thermometer outside
and another that was wet for one minute and again for
two minutes. The purpose was to find how much humidity
was in the air. Finally we completed another short activity.
The purpose was to become familiar with the layout of
a wind vector (an arrow that shows direction and force)
map. Today in science class, I learned numerous things
about science with the help of the internet and Mrs. Dawson.
NAME: ASHLEY MAYES
SCHOOL:St.Anne School
DATE:February 4, 1997
TITLE :It's Raining Highs and Lows
ARTICLE:
Today was extraordinarily interesting! The class learned
of the characteristics of different pressure areas. The
class has been recording weather maps for the last week
and they now know about those H's and L's you see posted
on the daily weather maps in mewspapers.They signify different
areas of pressure.A somber mood fell over the class as
we were told that all the information being given was
pertinent to our upcoming test.
After quizzing the class on material covering winds,
energy, and meteorology and dishing out a few Snickers
,which seem to keep the class on their toes, Mrs. Dawson
did a lab with us that really gave the class an energy
boost. The lab, called "Pressure's Up", required
you to perform amazing tricks with a cup of water and
an index card. We then learned that it was all air pressure
and that the words "Abracadabra" did not make
the results happen. It was scientifically amazing how
the water would not spill out of the overturned cup with
a thin index card over it.
Then to add more excitement to the learning procedure
our teacher filled a bucket with water and made us swing
it around to show how air pressure kept the water in.
Mrs. Dawson also displayed the format for our portfolio
that will contain our magnificent work in it toward the
end of the quarter. As we walked out we were slapped with
a lovely lab report for homework.
In conclusion, the class went over their important information
and they reviewed for their big exams and as we walked
out of Room 406 everyones brain was filled with METEOROLGY!
NAME: JOSHUA BRIGGS
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:February 5,1997
TITLE :Weather
ARTICLE:
Today on the day of February the fifth, we did the following
activities. In the begining of class Mrs. Dawson collected
homework from everyone. However certain people did not
have their work. These people were to not do the lab but
simply sit at their tables and do the work that was not
turned in. The other people who had their work had the
following assingnments. One group was allowed twenty minutes
to use the library computers to look up other peoles responses
to certain questions published on the internet. The other
groups were assingned to complete a lab pertaining to
realtive humidity. We finished class by having a discusion
pertaining to vectors and wind circles.
NAME: SANDY LEE
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:January 31, 1997
TITLE : Pasta and Burgers in Science
ARTICLE:
Today, on January 31, 1997, Class 8H reported to the science
lab at 8:50 a.m. No weather observations would be taken
today because the class was in the morning, so the first
part of the class started out with a KWL. Everything was
to be jotted down on the paper for everything done and
learned this week.
During the second part of the class, the boys' and girls'
groups were split up to work on the on-line project template.
The two groups then read out their template, what was
done of it, and the class critiqued it at the end. We
were to think about why we wanted the question and the
purpose of it.
Next, we went to work on the summary section of the template
in our group together. Class was soon over, and it was
reported that our homework would be to organize our binder
for the portfolio, and to finish up the weather maps and
collect the data. The class ended with an advice to eat
pasta at night and hamburgers at breakfast for the big
test on! February 1st.
NAME: DESIREE' LEDET
SCHOOL:St. Anne Catholic School
DATE:January 24, 1997
TITLE : A Simple Day in Science
ARTICLE:
On Friday,January 24, 1997, the eighth grade class completed
several activities. After tremendous preparation, they
consructed a KWL for the week. They then turned in a weather
map and data sheet for Wednesday and Thursday for Mrs.
Dawson to review. The homework was to: (1) Complete the
map assignments for the Jason Project, (2) Answer all
conclusion questions, (3) Read "Designing an Internet
Project (whole packet), (4) and select a focus question
for semester research project. In conclusion, the day
ended with students clarifying pending questions and concerns
with Mrs. D.
NAME:KATIE HODGES
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
TITLE :Clouds of the Sky
ARTICLE:
On January 28, 1997 the eigth grade class at St. Anne
School learned the different types of clouds. They began
their class by doing the usual " Weather Watch".
This lasted the first thirty minutes of class. Afterwards,
we took out our cloud model sheet to draw in diagrams
of the different clouds. every three centimeters of the
page is a representation of one mile of the sky. Mrs.
Dawson then showed them a picture of each cloud with a
breif description of the clouds. They drew the cloudswhere
it was located in the sky and wrote down brief notes about
each type. As their second period began, they started
on their Jason projects, but were soon told to quite because
of the talking. For the last twenty-five minutes of the
class the students sat quietly and finished whatever necessary
for the next class.
NAME: UNKNOWN
On Friday last week science class 8 from St. Anne School
did their weekly KWL. The KWL is a piece of paper on which
the students write what they know from the week before,
what they want to know from the subjects covered in the
past two weeks, and what they learned this week. This
is then graded by the teacher by content and what the
teacher feels the student should know and what they should
have learned in the week. Due to shortened classes this
was all we had time to do.
NAME: MEGAN COODY
SCHOOL:St. Anne School
DATE:January 17, 1997
TITLE :A Friday in the Life of Mrs.Dawson's 8th Grade
Science Class
ARTICLE:
On the date of January 17, 1997 one of Mrs. Dawson's 8th
grade classes worked through to the very last minute of
their class period. They all worked diligently on their
KWLs, which are pieces of paper discussing what that student
has learned that week, what they want to learn in future
weeks and what they already know. The KWLs were turned
in about 20 minutes until the end of class. After the
last paper had been turned in the class discussed their
positions on the KGS web site. During the previous class
each lab group on the classroom constructed a document
for KGS discussing thier topic and questions they had
pertaining the project etc.
Today Mrs. Dawson reviewed the papers and called out
whose paper had been turned in and whose paper had not
been turned in. For the last 5-10 minutes of class groups
discussed their work on thier KGS projects. This concludes
my story on a Friday with Mrs. Dawson's 8th grade science
class.
NAME: CATHERINE MACANELLY
Today in Mrs. Dawson's Science class, we covered several
subjects. The first goal that we achieved was setting
up each of the four groups' weather stations. During the
discussion of what measurement to record for relative
humidity, Mrs. Dawson quizzed us about the difference
between relative humidity and humidity.
We then looked at maps on the computer and discussed
several topics related to relative humidity in other areas
besides Texas. Another objective was completed when we
finished a lab exercise and then e-mailed a school in
Miami who had recorded the lowest humidity to tell them
about our predictions and ask whether they agreed that
we were correct or not.
We will be in contact again next month.
NAME: ANTHONY CHODOROWSKISANDY LEE
This following list will tell anyone about the physical
surroundings of St. Anne School. One of the major physical
surroundings around St. Anne's is flat land. The whole
school area is laying on flat terrain. Some more physical
terrain features around our school are very rare. There
is an ocean close to our school, but that is out of a
5 mile radius of our school. There are no mountains even
near our school, or even hill country. So as you have
heard, there are not very many physical terrain features
around us.
Now I am going to explain what kind of wheather we recieve
around our school. If rain fall hit's our school, it most
likely means that most of the Houston area is recieving
the rain fall also. The average rain fall for us can vary
anywhere from 1-5 days of consecutive rain, or 1-20 days
without one drop of rain. Snow or anykind kind of freezing
wheather can be vary rare, although we did have ice all
around Houston about a week ago. We mostly get about one
to two days of freezing wheather every year. Our average
of storm's such as tornadoes and hurricanes are also very
slim to none. The last time in this area, that we recieved
a hirricane or tornado was about 4 years ago. So as you
camn see what physical surroundings we have, and what
kind of wheather we have.
NAME: SANDY LEE
SCHOOL: St. Anne School
DATE: December 12, 1996
TITLE : " The Spectacular Sight of the Tool Kit
"
ARTICLE:
Today, on December 12th, it was reported that Mrs. Hahmann's
8th grade class finalized and submitted their Mars Tool
Kit onto the internet. After a quick check on the tools,
and their prices, that was when the real debate would
begin for the tools on-line. The typist entered the school,
teacher, number of students, instruments, quantity of
tool, prices of the tool, and the reason for the tool
onto the Live From Mars. The next event that took place
was the name for the class to be known as on the internet.
After a period of time, the group decided on the name,
the " Lolligoggers."
The final Mars tool kit instruments, quantity, and prices
were: Thermometer 1 4.95, pen & paper 1 pen 20 sheets
0.00, topographic & vegetational map 1 16.00, formula
1 0.00, calculator 1 6.95, magnifying glass 1 1.95, identification
sheet 1 20.00, tape measure 1 7.50, pocket flashlight
with batteries 1 5.35, tongs 1 2.50, seismograph web site
and avg. rainfall 1 0.00 camera with film 1 camera 36
film 15.85, planisphere 1 10.00, stop watch 1 7.99, high
tech telescope 1 35.00, protractor with weight 1 10.00,
barometer 1 10.00, compass with anemometer 1 10.00, biome
description 1 5.00-10.00, vaseline kit 1 .25, and the
water analysis (salinity) 1 12.95. At the end, no special
comments were added and then the typist had submitted
the list of the tool kit. The science class ended at 2:40
p.m. with a great result on the tool kit. Now this has
been a special edition of the Mars Tool Kit follow-up
and have a nice day.
This is Sandy Lee reporting from the ambitious 8th grade
science class for Fox 26 News. The next follow - up of
the tool kit will be arriving soon to the Fox 26 station!
NAME:DESIREE' LEDET
SCHOOL:St.Anne School
DATE:December 10,1996
TITLE :Education,Life,and Arrogance in the Learning Place
ARTICLE:
On Tuesday December 10, 1996, the eight grade science
class participated in several interesting activities.
With never so ending eagerness, they started the afternoon
by reflecting on their typed responses to an E-mail sent
to them by a teacher in New Jersey. It stated that the
Internet Reports on the existence of plate tectonics on
Mars, which they prepared for many months, was false and
gave no substantial evidence. Majority wise, the class
had to be placed on the right track by rewriting their
arrogant and "hubris" letters and changed to
to understanding and hospitable words- this was to be
completed for homework.
In other news, the Mars Tool KIt was completed, ending
a four week debate. The quantity and prices are neede
along with a chart of the items. With the upcomming mid
term in science, an outline of Mars and Earth was to be
made by Thursday. To conclude the day, the class was sent
home with an abundance of work while prearing for future
assignments.
NAME:MARK FIORE
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 1996
Today at St. Anne School the eighth grade science class
continued their work on the Earth tool box project. They
debated on the certain things they should put in their
tool box. Sometimes the discussions became so heated that
there had to be a time out called. The class almost went
out of control debating over whether or not to bring the
air particle testing kit.(An air particle testing kit
is vaseline put on slides which are left out for an ammont
of time and then observed under a micro scope.)
The group leaders could not agree on whether or not to
take an air particle test. There were three votes taken
and they all came out as two votes vs. two votes. Finally
the majority rules vote was put into effect, and the test
was omitted from their box.
Here is a list of what is being taken in thei tool box.
