First Day of Work
Today was our first full day of work here in Churchill. One of the projects we are working on is for a PhD student named Steve from the University of Alberta. He is studying the effects of climate change on the treeline. The last team that was here gathered over 500 samples of white spruce branches from 7 test sites along the treeline. Our job was to cut, sort, label, measure, and weigh each sample. It took our team of 12 people several hours to do it, but we finished.
For the next 5 days, four people will spend the morning weighing each sample again to record the loss of moisture. Everyone else will be out at the seven sampling sites to dig snow pits and record snowpack data.
We went on a walk around the center this afternoon to test out our gear. Here are some pictures around the CNSC.
Monday is my day to weigh samples in the morning. So, my first experience working outside in the arctic climate won't come until tomorrow afternoon. Luckily, Churchill is experiencing a heat wave...temperatures will be above zero degrees fahrenheit later in the week!
Student Challenge:
1. Weather
Make a line graph in your journal to compare the temperature in Churchill with the temperature in Aberdeen. Look up the weather forecast to see what the highs will be in each location throughout my trip. You should have points on the graph for each day from Feb 28 - Mar 10.
2. Ecosystems
There are several ecosystems I have travelled through as I crossed the entire province of Manitoba from south to north. See how many ecosystems you can identify in Manitoba and information about each one.
In your journal, draw a map of Manitoba. Sketch my train route from Winnipeg to Churchill. Color the map to show each ecosystem. Draw or list characteristics, plants, and animal life that can be found in each one.
3. Blog Post
Post a comment for me to read that explains what causes the Northern Lights. I will choose the best ones to publish on the blog. Make sure that you use correct spelling and grammar.
You can post a second comment with any questions you may have. I will do my best to answer them.
Shameika, I got your message about the snow! I hope you got to play in it a little before it melted!
posted by Sheila @ 7:08 PM
1 Comments:
Question:What causes the Norhtern Lights? Answer:When the electrically charged particles come from the sun and they get trapped in Earth`s magnetic field.The sun has its own magnetic bubble.The sun`s bubble is blown outward.It sends out a stream of electrically charged particles toward Earth.This blowing stream is called solar wind.Earth`s magnetic field bounces most solar particles back into space.Sometimes these charged particles are trapped in the magnetic field.The charged particles follow the magnetic lines around Earth,straight to the poles.Each time a charged particle hits one other particle,there is a little burst of light.The particles bursting into light to create the Northern Lights. Comment posted By Hiedia
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