Solar & Lunar eclipse

 How do they occur?

They occur when the moon or the earth blocks the sunlight.  Lunar is when it happens at night which is when the earth blocks the light from the sun to the moon.  Solar is when it happens during the day which is when the moon is blocking the light from the sun to the earth.

What do we see?

We either see a blackout or bright sun.  This means that we get more sunlight or less sunlight.

When was the last Solar Eclipse in NZ?

1965 was the last solar eclipse in NZ

When is the next one?

2028 is the predicted year that NZ would get a solar Eclipse.

Diagram

Pictures

Volcanic Research

Choose a Volcano

Mount Vesuvius

Where is it?

Italy, Campania

What's special about it?

When it erupted over the city of Pompeii.  It left the victims in the same state that they were unfortunately killed as.  So it is preserved over the years and can now be seen clearly.  This frozen in time monument is very famous and well-known for the prestigious condition that they are in.  Scientists are able to date back more than three thousand years ago to when this sad incident happened.

When did it erupt? What was the damage?

24, 79 CE.  It ended a whole city.

Science Experiment - Leakproof Zip lock bag

 Aim: To make a leakproof zip lock bag

Method:

1. Get a Ziplock bag

2. Fill the zip lock bag half full with water

3. Seal the bag

4. Get your sharp pencils and puncture through the ziplock bag with water

Results: Isn't my photo*

Discussion: 

The science behind this trick is the plastic that most Ziplock bags use.  The plastic is called polymer this plastic is very flexible and durable.  When the pencils are pushed through the plastic creates another barrier using the pencil.  This means that when the pencil is removed the bag will start to leak.

Conclusion:

If I were to do something different it would be to see how many pencils that I could puncture through the zip lock bag.  This was a great and weird science experiment and I would suggest this to people above the age of 12 to try this experiment out. Thank you for paying attention to my blog. :)

DNA Extraction Experiment

 Aim: Find DNA from kiwi fruit

Method:

1.Mush half a kiwi fruit in a zip lock bag with a splash of water and a small teaspoon of salt

2.Strain a solution through a cloth into a beaker.

3. Add a squirt of dishwashing liquid and stir

4. pour into a test tube

5. Place the test tube in a beaker filled with WARM water

6. Leave for 10 minutes

7. Slowly pour 5ml of methylated spirits down the side of the test tube.

Results:

Discussion:

Where do you find DNA?

How much DNA does a human share with a Kiwi fruit?

Quite a bit

What makes DNA?

Chromosomes

Conclusion:

Did it work? Would you do anything differently?

Yes, it worked, I got to extract the DNA out of the kiwifruit.  If there was something that I could've done differently it would be adding a tiny bit more water so that I could get the kiwi fruit through more easily.  Although this was a great experiment and I would love to do it again.

What does music mean to me?

Have you studied music before?

Yes, I studied in year 9 and had gained many skills in piano.  I could play a handful of songs.

What type of music do you enjoy?

I like various types of music such as rap, RnB, soul, lofi.  I enjoy these songs because most of the music I listen to has a very nice rhythm or the things that they rap about I can relate to.

Name 3 singers that you like and why?

I like Giveon, Sleepy Hallow, and Bryson tiller.  I like these three because they always have songs that I can vibe to and always have a good time listening to.

What would you like to learn in music?

I would like to learn a whole song because in most of my studies I have only learnt parts of the songs and would like to impress family members that I can play a song.

Why did you choose music?

I chose music because I would like to expand my brain on various subjects so I get a better idea of what I want to be in the future.

Trolley Dilemma

 In English today we were talking about the trolley dilemma.  We were given the choice to voice our opinion in front of the class regarding the trolley dilemma.  So here is the situation:

You control the path which the trains take.  On one side there are 5 stuck individuals and on the other is one person on the track.  You are to make the choice of killing the 5 or the 1. 

My opinion:

I would let the 1 die to let the 5 live.  Of course, it is a cruel and hard choice to make but it would be easier to save the 5 and let the 1 die.  You do not need to tell an extra 4 families that their family member has passed away in a train accident.  So its best to kill the one to let the 5 live.

Star Fish Poem

 In class we had to read a poem, this poem was about a young man throwing starfish back into the sea.  The poem was basically portraying that small things can lead to massive things.  This was because he was helping out the starfish move back into the ocean is a small thing but it can lead to massive things.  

Making salts

 Aim: To produce copper sulfate salt by reacting copper oxide with an acid.

Equipment: Copper oxide powder, dilute (0.5 mol L-1) sulfuric acid, 50 ml measuring cylinder, two 100ml beakers, Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze mat, funnel, filter paper, thermometer, spatula, evaporating basin, stirring rod.

Method: 

1. Add 20 ml of sulfuric acid to a 100ml beaker. Heat the acid until it reaches 70°C.  Turn off your bunsen burner

2. Once heated, use a spatula to add pea-sized portions of copper oxide to the beaker. Stir the mixture for 30 seconds

3. Repeat step 2 until no more will dissolve.  Allow the beaker to cool.

4. Fold the dryer paper and place it in the funnel. place the filter funnel into the second beaker

5. Make sure the beaker is cool enough to hold at the top.  The contents should still be hot.  you may need your teacher to complete this step.

6. Gently swirl the contents of the beaker to mix and then pour into the filter paper in the funnel. Allow filtering through.

7. Rinse the beaker you used to heat the mixture previously, and place it back on top of your tripod filled with 50 - 60ml of water.

8.Place the evaporating basin on top of the beaker and carefully pour some of the solutions from the beaker into the evaporating basin.

9.Gently heat the beaker until the solution in the evaporating basin has reduced by half

10. Leave the evaporating basin to cool.  Once cool, move the evaporating basin to a warm place where it will not be disturbed and observe over the next few days.  Blue copper sulfate crystals should form.

Woodstook

 John Lennon 'Give Peace A Chance'

What is "give peace a chance" about? 

John Lennon wrote that phrase to stop the war and to try to give peace out instead of war.  He wanted people to understand that war isn't the only choice and to bring peace so that can live calmly. 

Facts about the song:

John Lennon wrote this song to be sung during demonstrations such as The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam. The phrase "give peace a chance" had come to spontaneously to Lennon while answering a reporter's question at a "bed-in". This was Lennon's way to protest war and promote peace by staying in bed all day.

Lyrics:

Ev'rybody's talking about
Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, that-ism, is-m, is-m, is-m

All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance

C'mon
Ev'rybody's talking about Ministers
Sinisters, Banisters and canisters
Bishops and Fishops and Rabbis and Pop eyes
And bye bye, bye byes

All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Let me tell you now
Ev'rybody's talking about
Revolution, evolution, masturbation
Flagellation, regulation, integrations
Meditations, United Nations
Congratulations

All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Ev'rybody's talking about
John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary
Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper
Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer
Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna
Hare, Hare Krishna

All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance

All we are saying is give peace a chance

Making Salts

 Aim: To produce sodium chloride salt by carrying out a neutralization reaction

Equipment: 50mL and 200 mL beakers, dilute HCI (hydrochloric acid), dilute NaOH (Sodium hydroxide), 25 mL measuring cylinder, a glass stirring rod, spotting tile, Universal indicator solution, tripod, gauze mat, Bunsen burner, evaporating basin.'

Method:

1. Using the measuring cylinder measure 10 mL of HCI and pour it into your 50 mL beaker. Add dilute NaOH a few drops at a time while stirring with the glass rod.

2. Every 10-15 drops stop adding the NaOH and use the glass stirring rod to transfer a drop of the solution to a spotting tile. Test its pH using Universal indicator.

3. Keep adding NaOH and testing the solution by repeating step 2. As you get closer to neutral you may need to test the solution after every drop. 

4. Pour the neutral solution into an evaporating basin and evaporate the water out of the solution using the equipment set up shown above.

Observations: We made a variety of colours such as purple, light pink, and red. The aim of this was to make green which we couldn't make.   

The Setting

So my goal in this activity is to use sensory language to describe a place in a story/narrative.  They gave us 6 ideas but I chose to only do 3.  My choices were:

1. A made-up fantasy land

I awoke in a mysterious land, a whiff of candy floss and candy canes flew up my nostrils.  I opened my eyes and colors shone everywhere...

2.A ghost time in the wild old west

The church, the only place where safety is certain.   A statue of the Lord leads our hope, the sheriff commands us to kneel, to pray and so everyone becomes a saint.  

3. School at Hornby

In a room full of students, fresh oxygen flies through the windows.  Eyes blooming towards the instructor and my mind focused on work.  Maybe it's just another ordinary day at school...

Viewpoints

In this blog post, I will be discussing people's points of view when The Beatles compared themself with Jesus Christ.  So I will be talking on behalf of both of them hence why there is a 'Perspective 1' and 'Perspective 2.'

Perspective 1 Against the tour

So people that are religious would not like The Beatles because they were cocky enough to compare themselves with Jesus Christ.  So people would have been offended because they worship him and that they criticize their idol made them lose their respect for him.

Perspective 2 For the tour

People love the Beatles regardless so they are blinded by beauty.  So whatever they said people would still love them.  So they still wanted them to tour even though they compare themself with Jesus Christ.

5 Narrative openings

 For my next creative writing task, I have to create 5 effective narrative openings.  This has to do with the images given.  Here is what I write:

1.  I rushed toward the building smelling nothing but smoke I froze at what I saw...

2. I was alone in the cold when a man walked past and gave me the look...

3. Finally free!! The gush of happiness was unimaginable I am free.

4. Is anyone around? I need to take this luscious red meat home.

5.Just another ordinary day in a class filled with boredom.

Show don't tell

 So for English, I had to rephrase sentences so that I would show them what it is and not tell them.  This basically means to not tell them about something but to show them.  E.g 'The girl was sad' to 'Her head was low and we had seen tears roll down her face.'  So now we understand what 'Show not tell' is here is my work:

The buildings were tall - The giant facilities gazed over me

Sarah was really upset - Tears ran down Sarah's eyes and her facial expressions turned blue

She was so happy to see her - A rush of excitement ran through her body when he walked through  the door

The lake was beautiful - The lake's water moved swiftly with the sun which created a spectacular view

In conclusion, I found out that showing not telling is a good way to improve your writing.  It was also hard at the same time.  Thank you for reading my writing please comment on what you think about it.

Parihaka

Parihaka

What is the main message of this song?

It is basically telling you to fight for your rights but in a non-violent peaceful way.  This song is also talking about how parihaka fought for their rights with peaceful protest.

What line explains their passive resistance method?

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated,

And even at the darkest hour,

His presence will remain.

I'll sing to you the song of Parihaka.

What does 'You can't pull out the roots refer' to?

This refers to when the people tried to take their land and their culture away to (their roots).  No matter what happens don't let anyone take away who you are.

Give evidence of their determination:

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in,

How does this song show the significance of parihaka?

This song basically sings about the things that the parihaka people did and how they are here today.  It talks about their protest and the trials and challenges that they went through.

What makes an event significant?

When it is so powerful that the whole world admires it and makes it a memorable day.

How many people are affected?

A lot of people

To what extent are people affected?

To the point that they need to be remembered and admire it.  This basically means that they want to be known for what has happened and think that it should be happening worldwide.

Spirituals and Harriet Tubman

Hello and welcome to my blog, in this blog post I will be discussing the history of Harriet Tubman and spirituals.  I will be working through what was significant about Harriet Tubman and what she did for the people.  But to start things off...

What are spirituals and what were they used for?  Spiritual was a form of songs sang by the African slaves used for Weddings, Funerals, and as a way to communicate to escape.  Now that I have given you a brief explanation I will tell you about a famous lady by the name of Harriet Tubman.

Why is Harriet Tubman famous? what for? Harriet Tubman was well known for her various escapes that she had performed for her family and friends.  When she was younger she got hit in the head with a metal object that permanently affected her mental state.  Now let's talk about a certain spiritual that I enjoy listening to...

This is the second verse of Jesus Leads Me All The Way:

All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me

As you can see in this they are giving themself a sense of hope, you can tell this by the lyrics sang "All of the ways Jesus leads me" and "Gives me strength in every trial.  This is simply because they are thanking him for his strength that he has lead upon them.  This song was probably sung whilst they were working to calm everyone down.

These events can still be significant to this day because these traumatizing events are still continuing to this day.  The people that do this are known as the KKK or the Kool Klux Klan.  These people still want the old ways to continue and think that all 'whites' are perfect.   

Metaphors And Similies

 In this post, I will be talking to you about the difference between a simile and a metaphor.  They are both a figure of speech.  I will then write you a couple of my own similies with scenarios. :)

What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor is when you state that something is something using the terms 'am' or 'are.'  For example, picture yourself doing a big tackle and you yell out "I am a beast."  That's you saying that you are something of which you are not.

What is a Similie

A simile is stating that you are like something.  Using the terms 'like' or 'as.'  For example, imagine you and your friend are swimming, he has the ability to swim in deep waters for a longer period of time you could say something like "You swim like a whale."  That is a simile because I said that he/she was like something that they are not.

To sum everything up metaphors and similies are different but close at the same time.  I hope that this improves your writing and that you can now use this figurative language in writing, song, or poem.  Have a good day and if you had enjoyed this please leave a comment. :)

Physical Or Chemical Change

 Hypothesis:

I think that there will be a chemical change due to the fact that the shall change into a dust-like substance.  Therefore my hypothesis is that it is a chemical change.

Equipment:

- Sample of ZnO (Zinc Oxide)

- Heat source ~ Hot plate

- Scales

- Heatproof container ~ evaporating dish

- Tongs

- Heatproof mat

Method:

1. Get a sample of ZnO in an evaporating dish

2. Weight the ZnO in the container, record the weight

3. Heat container and ZnO on a plate

4. Observe any changes ( Use the phone for before and after photos)

5. Take off heat and put on a heatproof mat

6. Let cool - observe - photos

7. Reweigh 

Results: What happened? - Write your description

So what happened was the dust changed color.  This only happening because the heat off the hot plate changed the colour of the dust.  But it can change back to its original state.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I have found out that if you heat up zinc ut gets lighter and changes colour for a short period of time.  If I were to do this again I would heat it up higher so that I can see what happens when the chemical is burning. Overall it was a physical change. :)