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Physical Science 107: Ocean Acidification

Please prepare for this topic by reading the following document:

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/files/thecircle0410.pdf

Physical Science 107: Jeopardy

Please visit this page to find a link to the jeopardy game on unit one:

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/jeopardy/index.php

Let me know if this file format is ok. This is a powerpoint file.

Physical Science 107: Ozone Lesson

Notes, take away points and a very short powerpoint have all been added to the ozone lesson. This lesson is now complete. Please go over the contents of this lesson to be sure you have learned the main facts and concepts.

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/ozone.php

Physical Science 107: The Ozone Hole

From the background information listed in the lesson the most important piece is the video that is the second link. Everyone should watch this video.

Physical Science 107: Funny Video About Climate Change

I think you will enjoy watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtnu9b701RE

and we can discuss what this is saying about the pubic understanding of climate change.

Physical Science 107: Please check the schedule after each class

The schedule of the course: http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/schedule.php is being filled out as we go along so it is always changing as new information is added. Because I’m teaching this course for the first time I am learning how long each lesson takes. I’ve put up the date of the first unit test. The test will cover lessons 1,2,3 and4. Here are some tips to be ready:

1. Be sure you can answer the questions in each unit. If you don’t understand something ask about it in class!

2. Read at least two newspaper stories, more if you can, and write summaries in your journal. The goal of this class is to improve your understanding of CURRENT PUBLIC issues in Physical Science – and so I want to help you understand these news articles better.

3. Develop your glossary. Nobody knows all the words in the English language – but we are always learning new words. As you are reading pick out some words whose meanings you don’t know well – and look them up in a dictionary (book or online). Write the definitions in the glossary section of your journal.

4. On your own – follow the background links – as many as you can. Look around at these websites. Watch any videos that are posted. All this exposure to information will help you develop good questions to ask in class!

5. COME to class. Missing class is the worst thing you can do in this course. If you are there and you are participating you will do well. Be there or be square:-)

See you next class!

Physical Science 107: Lesson One

Students in this course have amazing energy. You are asking great questions! You are all coming to class and participating with wonderful enthusiam. This makes teaching lots of fun! Thank you.

This week we finished lesson one. On Monday and Tuesday both sections will begin lesson two: Ground Level Air Pollution. Follow this checklist to ensure that you are ready for lesson two.

1. Visit lesson one on the website. I’ve added some more information. I put up the powerpoint with large slides (student request). Go through each slide on the powerpoint to make sure you understand the main ideas that are presented in the diagrams. We did not cover the last four slides.

2. Read the Take Away (Main) Points I’ve added at the bottom of the page. This will help you organize all the information in lesson one.

3. Go over the questions and answer them in your journal.

This completes lesson one. The last four slides at the end of the powerpoint were not covered. One was about wind. One was about world climate. Do not be concerned with these slides at this time - we will discuss them in other lessons.

1. Visit lesson two on the website.

2. Read the posted NEWS articles.

3. Write down any questions you have about these articles.

4. Visit some of the background links and take a look at them. We will discuss this material in class.

Happy Learning!!

P.S. Remember, you can send me email anytime (jwalker@ccc.edu). I will answer it.

Phy Sci 107: How to Prepare for Class

In order to gain the most from the lectures it is so important to come to class prepared. I am still hearing from students that they cannot find information on the website. So here are some quick links:

Our course website:

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/index.php

Lesson One: Earth’s Atmosphere

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/atmosphere.php

What should you do to prepare for class?

Read the Lecture notes.
Look over the powerpoint slides.
Read the questions and think about them.
Read the news articles or other media.
Visit the background websites – see what they are about.

Learn everything you can about Earth’s Atmosphere.

What do we know so far??

Both classes have learned that the atmosphere is composed of two main ingredients – two gases – Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen(21%) and that Oxygen is the reactive gas and Nitrogen is non-reactive.

Monday’s class has begun to learn about the layers of the atmosphere.

New Semester Begins in 26 days…

It seems a long way off but now is the time to being to prepare for your new classes. Early preparation can consist of light review, reading and media viewing that is more fun than work, browsing around the Internet following your interests. The idea is to keep your mind active and develop your curiosity. Once the semester begins you will not be able to control the pace of the learning you are expected to achieve – but you can now!

Physical Science 107: Current Public Issues in Physical Science

This Spring I will be teaching a course for the first time – Physical Science 107. This course is IAI approved as a 3 credit hour General Education science course (no lab). I’ll be presenting the course in four units: Air, Water, Earth and Fire. The course will exam a variety of fascinating and very current issues: Climate Change, Sustainability, Energy, Environmental Concerns – whatever is in the news. The goal of the course will be to develop the scientific literacy of the non-scientist and to allow students to gain an in-depth understanding of complex problems that affect all of us from the perspective of the scientist. I’ll be developing the syllabus and course website over the next few months. Please let others know about this course and let students know that they can email me, jwalker@ccc.edu, with any questions. I’m looking forward to teaching this course and anticipate many interesting demonstrations, lively discussions and fun projects.


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