6th Grade Science
For the week of 4/13 and onward All Assignments are available on Google classroom and ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GRADED
Rock Exploration
Directions:
Step 1: Go outside and find a rock.
Step 2. List 5 observations specifically about your rock.
Step 3: Try to come up with what type of rock. Sedimentary, Igneous, of Metamorphic. Explain why you think it is that type.
Step 4: Draw your rock. Include colors.
Step 5: Make up a story about how that rock was created and found its way to you.
Question: Read the article below. Question:
Choose a problem (and solutions) described in the text. Explain what the problem is and why it matters, using examples, facts, and details from the text. If possible, describe any solutions proposed in the text.
Technological advances in documenting earthquakes
By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff
Published:03/18/2020
Tectonic plates are large slabs of rock. They make up the Earth's crust, or hard outer layer. They also make up the uppermost mantle. This is the layer right below the crust. Tectonic plates move very slowly over time.
When plates move past each other, they can get stuck. But the forces that push them together continue. Stress builds up. The plates slip. They move along a fault. Faults are breaks in the crust.
Image 2. A fault is a break in the Earth's crust. The fault type depends on the angle of the break and the direction that the crust slides.
This creates an earthquake. Earthquakes make energy waves. The waves shake the ground. Buildings can fall down and hurt people.
Scientists study earthquakes. Someday, they might be able to tell when and where they will happen.
Earthquake Tools
Scientists use a tool called a seismometer. It records waves from the earthquake. It can tell them how strong an earthquake was. It can tell how far away it was. It can tell where it happened.
Image 3. A modern model of Zhang Heng's apparatus for detecting earthquakes. The model is from the Science Museum's collections. Photo: The Natural History Museum, London/Science Source
A Chinese scientist invented the first seismometer. It is a metal vase. It has eight dragons. Each dragon faces a direction on the map. The dragons hold metal balls in their mouths. At the bottom of the vase are eight frogs. When an earthquake happens, the ball shakes loose. The ball drops into the frog's mouth. This shows which direction the earthquake comes from.
Today, seismometers are made up of a weight. It is held above a base that is anchored to the ground. When the earth shakes, the base moves. But the weight remains still. The shaking base is recorded on a moving strip of paper with a pen, or by a computer.
Recording Seismic Waves
The seismogram is the graph, or drawing, of the waves. The seismogram gives scientists a lot of information. They can see how strong the earthquake was. They can tell how far away it was. They can tell where it happened.
Image 4. Artwork showing the basic principle of a seismometer, a device used to record earthquakes. A heavy weight is suspended on a spring. During an earthquake, the seismometer moves while the heavy ball remains suspended in mid-air. This causes the pen attached to ball to record a trace on the paper at the right. The graph it produces is called a seismogram. Graphic: Claus Lunau/Science Source
Scientists have set up many seismic stations around the world. These stations are connected by computers. Scientists can share the data. Many of these stations also use other instruments. They measure changes in the ground. They let scientists see how Earth's surface moves.
When seismometers detect the first waves from an earthquake, scientists send out an alert. It gives people time to find a safe place.
Ways To Study Earthquakes
One new way to find earthquakes is with glass tubes that carry light. The tubes are buried in the ground. They carry light to send messages. Scientists can watch for changes in how light moves through the tubes. Earthquake waves move the tubes. This changes the time it takes the light to pass through the tubes.
Smartphone apps can help watch for earthquakes. One app, called MyShake, uses the phone to tell if the ground is moving. People can use the app. They can help scientists study earthquakes.
Scientists use social media. In an earthquake, people write posts. They tell about what is happening. The scientists look at the posts to see where the earthquake is. They learn about the waves and the shaking.
Finding Future Quakes?
Scientists also study aftershocks. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes. They happen after the first large earthquake, or mainshock.
Scientists are teaching computers to tell where aftershocks will happen. Computers can look at a lot of numbers very quickly. They can find patterns that people cannot. They can look at earthquakes that happened in the past. They can tell where the aftershocks might be in the future.
Scientists keep improving the ways to detect earthquakes. One day, they may be able to tell when and where earthquakes will happen. This could save lives.
Question: Read the article below. Read the paper on snowflakes. Write a paragraph on why scientists think no two snowflakes are alike? Do you agree? Use at least 2 pieces of evidence from the article for your argument.
Evidence is crystal clear: No two snowflakes are alike
By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff Published:02/20/2020
Most people have heard that no two snowflakes are the same. So many snowflakes fall from the sky every winter. Could it really be true?
Jason Benedict is a scientist. He is also a crystal expert. He works at the University of Buffalo. It is in New York. Mr. Benedict said the answer is yes.
A snowflake begins with a small piece of dust or dirt. Then water in the air starts sticking to it.
Mr. Benedict said that small piece of dust or dirt is important. It allows snowflakes to stick together. It gives the water something to hold onto.
Ice Crystals Take Many Shapes
These ice crystals take many shapes as they stick together. Temperature has a big effect. So does the air. The winds blow. This has an effect, too. This is why snowflakes are all different. The effects of the wind and temperature on a snowflake will never be the same twice.
"It just won't happen," Mr. Benedict said.
Can a snowflake's shape tell you if it will be good for making snowballs? Well, kind of. Temperature is what decides.
Light and fluffy snow is great for skiing and sled-riding. Mr. Benedict said it comes from very cold temperatures. This is because all the water has frozen. Warmer temperatures make snow that has more water in it. It is best for making snowballs.
You can see how this works. Try it in your own home. You can use another kind of crystal.
Ask your parents before you do this. Get some sugar. Stand over a sink. See if you can turn a handful of sugar into a "snowball." It does not work. Right? Now add just a few drops of water. Try making a ball now.
Water Acts Like A Glue
"Liquid sugar starts to stick together," Mr. Benedict said. "The liquid water is acting almost like a glue."
Crystals are a big part of our lives. Snow and sugar are made from crystals. They are not the only things, though. Crystals are important parts of computers and medicine.
The next time little crystals fall from the sky, think about their story. Maybe you'll want to make crystals of your own.
3/24 - 3/28 Pick three of the below assignments to complete.
Read the Text below and answer the question
Questions:
Read the article below. Write at least half a page. Make and support a claim about why someone should read this text. What makes this text worth reading? What will a reader gain or what might a reader do after reading this? Support your response with specific details from the text.
Puerto Ricans left homeless after biggest quake in century
By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff
Published:01/12/2020
GUANICA, Puerto Rico — Several earthquakes hit the island of Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Puerto Ricans are Americans. Hundreds of families had to sleep in cars and on cots. One of the earthquakes was the strongest in more than 100 years.
The quake had a magnitude of 6.4. One person was killed. Nine others were injured. Magnitude is the strength of an earthquake. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 10. A magnitude 6 quake can knock buildings down.
More than 250,000 Puerto Ricans had no water after the earthquake. Another 500,000 people did not have electricity. Over 1,000 people were staying in government shelters. President Donald Trump recognized the emergency in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's governor Wanda Vázquez got the military involved.
The town of Guánica was hit hardest by the earthquake. More than 200 people had to find shelter in a gymnasium. Later, another earthquake damaged the gymnasium. The people had to sleep outside.
Hundreds Of Buildings Destroyed
The earthquakes began on December 28, 2019. The government does not know how much damage the earthquakes have caused. Hundreds of homes and buildings were destroyed. In Guánica, nearly 150 homes and three schools were affected by the quake.
Santos Seda is Guánica's mayor. Seda said that Guánica is facing a worse situation than Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Maria destroyed parts of Puerto Rico in 2017.
There were more than 950 quakes and aftershocks in Puerto Rico from December 31 to January 7. Aftershocks are small earthquakes. They follow larger earthquakes. Scientists say most of those quakes were weak. People could not feel them. There will probably be more aftershocks this week. However, these aftershocks could be very strong.
Finding Shelter
Government leaders tried to find shelter for Guánica's families. Many people kept their things in garbage bags. Some people had to sleep on the floor.
Psychologists met with people affected by the earthquakes. The psychologists helped them emotionally. One of the psychologists is Dayleen Ortiz. She tried to make people feel better by playing music. Ortiz said it is unclear if the earthquakes will continue.
The process of rebuilding after Hurricane Maria has been slow. The hurricane caused around 2,975 deaths. There was more than $100 billion in damage. Since the hurricane, many people have not had roofs over their homes or consistent electricity. The earthquakes made recovering from the hurricane even harder.
Questions
Write a paragraph that explains the central idea of the text. Use at least three details from the article to support your response.
How volcanoes formed the Hawaiian Islands
By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff
Published:03/09/2020
Hawaiian is a chain of islands. It is one of the most remote places in the world. Thousands of miles of ocean surround the islands.
The islands formed from a hotspot. A hotspot is an area in the Earth's mantle. It is where hot liquid rock called magma rises up. The magma forms volcanos on the Earth's crust. The crust is the outer layer of a planet. The mantle is the layer below the crust.
Understanding Tectonic Plates
A tectonic plate is a part of Earth's rocky crust. There are about 20 tectonic plates. They are always moving. They help form volcanoes. They also help cause earthquakes.
The Pacific Plate is one tectonic plates. It is continually moving over the Hawaiian hotspot. This movement caused volcanos to form. Lava came from the volcanos. The lava hardened. It formed new land. It became the Hawaiian islands.
There are many landforms around the Hawaiian Islands. They formed for the same reasons. Scientists call this a hotspot. They think it's been active for about 70 million years.
Volcanic Activity Today
Volcanoes are still active on Hawaii's Big Island. In 2018, the Kilauea volcano erupted on the Big Island. Lava covered over 30 square kilometers (30.5 square miles). It was up to 24 meters (79 feet) deep in places. That's taller than a six-story building! There were thousands of earthquakes. People nearby were forced to leave.
A New Hawaiian Island?
The Pacific Plate moves about 7 centimeters (2.75 inches) a year. That's about as fast as fingernails grow.
The Pacific Plate makes new volcanic rock. It builds up over the Hawaiian hotspot. One day, this rock will make another island. This island is named Loihi. You can't see Loihi now. It is still about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) underwater. When will it move up above water? About 10,000 to 100,000 years from now.
Question: Write a persuasive paragraph on if you think we should try to use Yellowstone for energy. Use at least two details from the article to support your response. Be ready to argue your side when we return to class.
Should the Yellowstone Supervolcano be used to make electricity?
By National Geographic, adapted by Newsela staff
Published:09/04/2018
Yellowstone National Park is boiling. The big, beautiful natural park is in Wyoming. People hike and camp there. The whole park is sitting on top of a supervolcano.
Underneath the park inside the Earth is super hot liquid. Heat from deep under the Earth creates the park's famous hot springs. Steam rises from the ground. Jets of hot water called geysers shoot up into the air.
All of that heat could be used to create geothermal energy. It could be used to heat buildings and make electricity.
Geothermal Energy Makes Sense
Scientists say geothermal energy is great. It is renewable and can also be made all the time. Geothermal energy is a good energy choice instead of oil and gas. These fuels are called fossil fuels. They create greenhouse gasses. These gasses have been causing the Earth to get warmer. This change is bad for the environment.
Geothermal energy could help. But Yellowstone will not be a source of geothermal energy anytime soon. Power plants are not allowed in the park. People are not allowed to drill into the ground in Yellowstone.
Many scientists agree that Yellowstone should remain untouched. Geothermal energy is useful but it also has some risks.
Power In New Zealand Versus Iceland:
Geothermal energy has caused harm in some areas. One place is New Zealand, an island country in the southern Pacific Ocean. The country's Wairakei Basin once had 70 geysers. Then in 1958, a geothermal power plant was built nearby.
The power plant hurt the geysers. Today, Wairakei does not have a single geyser. The area also lost 240 hot springs.
Still, there are those who like geothermal energy. Supporters say scientists have learned to use it safely.
Scientist Helen Robinson says Iceland is a good example. It is a country in Europe. She says Iceland uses geothermal energy without causing harm. Power companies there carefully choose where to drill. They keep wells far away from geysers. That keeps geysers from being destroyed.
People Do Not Want The Park To Be Ruined:
Maria Richards is a geothermal energy expert. She says a power plant could be run safely in Yellowstone. But she still does not want one there.
Richards says a power plant would be ugly. It would ruin a beautiful park. For that reason alone, many people are against the idea.
Scientist Brian Wilcox came up with a plan to use Yellowstone for geothermal energy. Yet even he is not sure what to think.
"I've been to Yellowstone many times," he says. "I love it." He says he hopes it can remain beautiful forever.
On the other hand, Wilcox wants to stop the supervolcano. The power plant could save lives by stopping an eruption.
