Mr.+McHugh


 * Wiki Assignment 3: The Search for Habitable ("Earth-like") Planets**
 * Background:** Before the 1990's most scientists didn't think we would ever find planets outside of our own solar system, let alone potentially habitable "Earth-like" planets. Since then, some truly amazing discoveries have been made. This topic is truly cutting edge in Astronomy and all of science!


 * Directions:** Conduct some research on this topic and type a short summary on your wiki. I want to give you some creative freedom in terms of direction here, but at the bare minimum you should seek answers to the following questions:
 * 1) **Who** were some of the first people to find an "extra-solar" planet (a planet beyond our own solar system)
 * 2) **How and when** were these scientists able to make such an amazing discovery?
 * 3) **What do we know** about these planets? **How far** are they from Earth? What do scientists think these first discovered extra-solar planets are like in terms of **(size, composition, conditions, etc.)**?
 * 4) Provide a short time line of **events/discoveries that have been made since then.**
 * 5) Based on what you have learned so far, **predict where you think this research will lead**? (i.e. what will scientists learn about extra-solar planets in the future or what is the next step in this area of study?) It would also be a good idea to mention some of the **problems, obstacles**, etc. that will need to be overcome.

Directions: Many of the minerals we learned about during chapter 4 are the chief "rock-forming minerals." Next, we are going to investigate the 3 major rock types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Your job during this assignment is to **search** the Internet for a common rock that is composed of __**2 or more of the minerals listed in bold below**__ and to **describe** how that rock forms from those minerals (1 good paragraph in your own words). You must include a **picture of the minerals** themselves, a **picture of the rock**, and a **picture illustrating the process by which the rock forms** (Include captions describing your images). The chief rock forming minerals are: **Calcite, Feldspar, Quartz, Augite, Garnet, Hornblende, Kaolin, Biotite Mica and Muscovite Mica.** Many many rocks are formed from these minerals so begin with some simple Internet research on "common rocks" formed from the most common minerals on our list. You can have one partner, but again make sure the completed assignment appears on both of your wikis. **And you may choose any chief rock other than granite (because that is my example below)**
 * Wiki Assignment 2: Rock Forming Minerals**

__**20 points total**__
 * Grading for assignment 4 is based on the following:**
 * 5 points for the 1 paragraph description of how the rock is formed (must briefly explain the process by which the rock is formed from it's component minerals. i.e. magma cooling, compaction, metamorphism; explain)**
 * 5 points for the picture, diagram, etc. showing how the process by which the rock forms**
 * 5** **points for the pictures of the individual minerals involved**
 * 5 points for the** **picture of the rock you're describing**
 * **This is the rock Granite** || [[image:http://www.beg.utexas.edu/mainweb/publications/graphics/granite-400.jpg width="252" height="191" caption="http://www.beg.utexas.edu/mainweb/publications/graphics/granite-400.jpg"]] ||
 * **It is composed of these chief rock forming minerals** || [[image:http://www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/milky_qu/milky_qu.jpg width="229" height="172" caption="Quartz"]][[image:http://cmsc.minotstateu.edu/Labs/web%20minerals/BIOTITE.jpg width="174" height="174" caption="http://cmsc.minotstateu.edu/Labs/web%20minerals/BIOTITE.jpg"]][[image:http://homepage.ufp.pt/biblioteca/GlossarySaltTectonics/PlatesJPG/Fig.F008-Feldspar.jpg width="228" height="183"]] ||
 * **This image shows how granite forms from these minerals** || [[image:http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/arbrahs/materials/science/images/volcano01.jpg width="431" height="274" caption="http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/arbrahs/materials/science/images/volcano01.jpg"]] ||
 * **Here you provide an explanation of how your rock forms** ||  ||

Current event activity: February 2011 Major Earthquake in New Zealand:
 * Wiki Assignment 1**
 * 1) Get online and find reliable, concise info on the Earthquake in New Zealand
 * 2) On the student wiki, click on YOUR NAME, and click "Edit."
 * 3) Click "Table" and insert a table similar to the one below.
 * 4) Now type a summary including, but not limited to:
 * 5) Title: **Current Event Feb 2011 New Zealand Major Earthquake**
 * 6) Magnitude (describe the # magnitude of this quake and what the term "magnitude" means. i.e. 5 compared to 4)
 * 7) Impact (damage, cost, death toll, etc.)
 * 8) Explanation of the cause (Why did the quake happen where it did? Does this region get a lot of quakes?)
 * 9) Click "Save" when done. IF IT IS UNCOOPERATIVE, HIGHLIGHT & COPY ALL TYPED WORK. REFRESH WEB PAGE, PASTE WORK BACK IN AND CLICK "SAVE" AGAIN.
 * 10) **5 points each (# 2 - 4 above) = 15 points total (Due Monday 3/7)**

b. Explain what "magnitude" means. (the scale used, and how a 3 on the scale differs from 2, 4, etc.) ||
 * **Magnitude** || a. Describe the magnitude of this earthquake
 * **Impact** || Explain damage, cost, death toll, etc. ||
 * **Cause** || Why did the quake happen where it did? Does this region get a lot of quakes? ||