Cluster 3: Climate Change
Week 1
Who Are We?
We are a group of students from all over California, who are extremely passionate about climate change. Climate change is an extremely prevalent issue that impacts everyone. However there has not been a clear way to solve this problem. In this cluster we will focus on the impacts of Green House Gases on the atmospheric energy balance. We will also explore how global industrial human activity has impacted different aspects like health, food security, and land utilization. Then how we can mitigate the effects of climate change through reduced utilization and creating alternate energy sources.
Our Amazing Teacher Fellows/Assistants and Professors
(Sarah, Ayden, Quinn, Peyton, George Anderson, Robert "Skip" Pomeroy)
Cluster 3 First Lab Day !!!
We start off with the basics of pipetting and balancing. As well as reviewing the safety procedures and rules. All of us got to get closer with our partners and cluster mates <3
Watch and Learn !!!
The lab is a very interesting and exciting place. However we must make sure we are safe and understand our situation. George Anderson and other Teacher Fellows aid us and makes sure we are grasping what is happening in the labs. We are so grateful for them !!!
Here For A Good Time !!!
COSMOS is a place to learn and expand your knowledge, but it is also a place to have fun. We are here for a good time and meet new people to connect with !!!
Groups learning how to use the Density Meter
Day 2: After breakfast in the morning, we headed down to the Natural Science Building, and began an introduction on our ethics essay. We began with the basics of an ethic essay and understanding the issues that come with solving climate change, such as money issues.
In the afternoon, we headed to the lab. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on some expensive devices! We got to use the Density Meter and Refractometers. Our amazing Teacher Assistants and Professor George Anderson. Techniques are important and knowing which one to use is an essential skill to learn. We discovered what worked best and
Day 3: We learned about some ideas about modeling climate change and what makes a greenhouse gas. We did various experiments on the reflectivity of certain colors or materials, such as heating up different colors of paper with LED lights. We also realized how we can solve climate change mathematically.
After the morning lecture on Radiative Balance, we headed to lunch and then participated in labs on titration. During the titration lab, we used sea water and our knowledge of chlorinity to solve for the unknown salinity of the water.
Our Titration Lab
Practicing Our Chaotic Cosmolympics Skit
Day 4: Cluster 3 & 6 started off the by having a Zoom meeting with the UCSD librarians. They discussed online resources and useful techniques, that they can use in the future, to help. We continued to work on their ethics essay, working and researching for something we are extremely passionate about.
Later in the day we broke off into our small project groups. We were able to pick what we wanted to create and research on, from creating Solar Cells to analyzing VOCS.
George's group went to Scripps Institution of Oceanography and met up with another group from Cluster 6. They got a tour of the place and got a lesson about how the machines work
Day 4 Photos !!!
Day 5: First we started off with a documentary, then a lecture from Skip. We discussed human's impact on the environment and acknowledged aspects of life that are in the danger zone, but there is still hope that we can save the Earth. Then in the lab, we analyzed the amount of fluoride that can be found in seawater and deionized water. We used new techniques and equipment to understand the data we received.
At night we had the annual COSMOSOLYMPICS, where different clusters compete against each other in various games like water balloon toss and musical chairs. Then we had to perform our skit that we have been practicing for the whole week. The whole event was super chaotic but fun, seeing all of the clusters putting all their talents and skills together to create something was entertaining. Even though we didn't win any games or the skit, we still have a great time.
Day 5 Photos !!!!
Day 6: First Field Trip !!! We went to the zoo and had a lot of fun. There were lot of animals to see and shops to buy cute plushies & nice clothes !!!
Day 6 Photos !!!
