Class Response Blog: Kite Flying

On a nice breezy summer day, a common sight is children running around playing kites. Though there are few simple steps to succesfully flying a kite, the science behing the flying is anything but simple. In our science class activity, we experienced hands on the real science that leads to the actual flying of a kite. The real key to flying a kite properly is air pressure. For instance, if the air is going at a rapid pace, there is less air pressure, and more pressure below the kite. Therefore, the kite moves upward. Another key factor in flying a kite, is wind. The wind we receive to fly kites are local winds such as land breezes and sea breezes.

Class Response Blog: The Artic Tale

Of the many millions of years that humans have been residents on our grand Earth, the polar bear has remained one of the most mesmerizing creatures to our eyes. However, until recent studies in the 19th century, humans have had menial knowledge of the rigorous struggles that polar bears go through ever year just to survive. Along with polar bears, another creature that goes through the same treacherous battles yearly, is the walrus. These struggles were demonstrated in the documentary narrated by Queen Latifah, which we viewed in class. This documentary followed Seela and Nanu along with their cubs through a year of life battling winters and peaceful summers.

*Extra Credit*-5/18/08

Of America's numerous talented poets, from 19th century poets to contemporary poets, Robert Frost among heavy competition, will always remain one of the greatest poets the world has ever seen. One of his many poems, "Fire and Ice", I believe is very weather related. Weather is used in this poem because Mr. Frost is summarizing the way many scientists have been for many years, arguing constantly on the way our world will be destructed. Basically, the poet is trying to say that high technology or rocket scientists, will never be the cause of our earth to finally subside, but actually, the most simple element of our earth, that has stayed with us from the beginning- weather- will actually be the cause of our earth's destruction. Though this poem was written in 1920, the issue that fumbled scientists 87 years ago, perplexes our contemporary scientists even more. The types of weather that this poem discussed were perhaps a wildfire or an ice storm.

Although, along with everyone else in the world, I don' t know the way our earth will fall, I still believe that this poem did not further enhance my knowledge in weather because I did however know of the controversy of fire and ice. Without the mentioning of weather in this poem, I believe this poem's meaning could entirely change to a different subject. For instance, the fire and the ice could resemble two cliques in a school fighting over popularity. However, what makes me know that this poem is about weather, is the first line that notes the author's curiosity of our world's destruction.

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost:

Some say the world will end in fire,Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favour fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction ice is also greatAnd would suffice.