Air Traffic Delays Cost U.S. More Than Hurricanes
Perkins, S. “Air Traffic Delays Cost U.S. More than Hurricanes”. Wired Science. January 21, 2010
Retrieved January 30, 2010 From
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/air-traffic-costs/
You often hear about the several hours delay that people experience when their flight gets cancelled or delayed but even the smallest delay can play a devastating role with the air traffic. Each flight across the nation is dependent on the other flight. If one flight is late, this makes the other flight late as well. So, a few minutes can be just as costly as couple hours because all it takes is one flight that got delayed, the rest gets delayed by chain reaction.
The storms in the Midwest can cause little problems but it is the busiest skyways like the east coast that can cause the most trouble. If there is a storm brewing on the east coast, this will definitely cause a delay if not countless delays amongst the busiest airports. According to Greg Forbes, a meteorologist at the Weather Channel in Atlanta, “It doesn’t take a severe weather to disrupt air traffic”.
The economic cost of these delayed flights can exceed the damages that hurricanes inflict. According to Bob Maxson, director of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aviation Weather Center in Kansas-City, the cost of these air traffic delays may have cost the economy over $135 billions within the past 9 years from 2000-2008. The hurricane inflicted about $131 billion in damages with that 9-year period. These delays not only upset most passengers but also really put a dent on the economy.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
# 7 List of Research Questions/Problems (Freewrite, 5-5-5 minutes)
1. Is global warming really happening?
• Are humans inducing the global warming trend?
• Are we at the tipping point or are we past the point of no return?
• How can we curb or fix the problem?
• Is geo-engineering the short-term solution?
• What are the consequences of global warming?
2. How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
• How much of ices are there in Greenland and Antarctica?
• What would cause the dramatic melting of the ice?
• What are the consequences of sea level rising?
• If it does happen, what can we do about it?
3. What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
• What were the sizes of the last three eruptions and its consequences?
• How much magma is estimated below Yellowstone?
• How imminent is an eruption of the Yellowstone?
• Is the volcano still active?
• What are the consequences of the eruption?
• Are humans inducing the global warming trend?
• Are we at the tipping point or are we past the point of no return?
• How can we curb or fix the problem?
• Is geo-engineering the short-term solution?
• What are the consequences of global warming?
2. How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
• How much of ices are there in Greenland and Antarctica?
• What would cause the dramatic melting of the ice?
• What are the consequences of sea level rising?
• If it does happen, what can we do about it?
3. What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
• What were the sizes of the last three eruptions and its consequences?
• How much magma is estimated below Yellowstone?
• How imminent is an eruption of the Yellowstone?
• Is the volcano still active?
• What are the consequences of the eruption?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Science Article #3
Stereo Speakers Can Levitate Dust for Mars Colonists
Ghose, T. “Stereo Speakers Can Levitate Dust for Mars Colonists”. Wired Science. January 30, 2010.
Retrieved January 30, 2010 from
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/acoustic-levitation-of-mars-dust/#ixzz0e9ke8xEH
One of the reasons for colonization for both Mars and the Moon hasn’t happened is because of dust. There is little to no atmosphere on both planets so dusts tend to be a problem. The problem lies in its abrasiveness because it is sharp like a tiny broken glass. It does not wear down into a less abrasive similar to the ones we have on earth. Also, the solar winds and UV radiation can cause electrostatic clinging of dust particles on everything from solar panels, space suits, equipments and vehicles. This would cause a faster wear and tear on these objects, which could really mean life or death in this unforgiving terrain.
There is a way to tackle this dilemma. By using sound waves similar to the ones coming from speakers, it can levitate dust particles off objects or surfaces. This technique is called acoustic levitation or acoustic “dustbuster”. It has been done before on a mock Martian and Moon landscape. The solar panels were covered in dust and the acoustic dustbuster had eliminated the dust particles enough for the solar panels to produce at almost maximum output.
However, there is one problem. This technique only works when there is an atmosphere because only sound waves can travel through air. Again, the planet Mars and the Moon have no little to no air therefore the acoustic levitation would not work. The only way it would work is if it is under pressurized and sealed environment.
Ghose, T. “Stereo Speakers Can Levitate Dust for Mars Colonists”. Wired Science. January 30, 2010.
Retrieved January 30, 2010 from
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/acoustic-levitation-of-mars-dust/#ixzz0e9ke8xEH
One of the reasons for colonization for both Mars and the Moon hasn’t happened is because of dust. There is little to no atmosphere on both planets so dusts tend to be a problem. The problem lies in its abrasiveness because it is sharp like a tiny broken glass. It does not wear down into a less abrasive similar to the ones we have on earth. Also, the solar winds and UV radiation can cause electrostatic clinging of dust particles on everything from solar panels, space suits, equipments and vehicles. This would cause a faster wear and tear on these objects, which could really mean life or death in this unforgiving terrain.
There is a way to tackle this dilemma. By using sound waves similar to the ones coming from speakers, it can levitate dust particles off objects or surfaces. This technique is called acoustic levitation or acoustic “dustbuster”. It has been done before on a mock Martian and Moon landscape. The solar panels were covered in dust and the acoustic dustbuster had eliminated the dust particles enough for the solar panels to produce at almost maximum output.
However, there is one problem. This technique only works when there is an atmosphere because only sound waves can travel through air. Again, the planet Mars and the Moon have no little to no air therefore the acoustic levitation would not work. The only way it would work is if it is under pressurized and sealed environment.
Science Article #2
How to Keep Black Bears Wild
Ehrenberg, R. “How to Keep Black Bears Wild”. Wired Science. January 30, 2010
Retrieved on January 30, 2010 from
www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/keeping-black-bears-wild
When people go to national parks such as Sequoia or Kings Canyon, they should be aware that they are not only stepping into the outdoors but be aware that it’s a home to many different types of animals. One type of animal can be of a nuance are the black bears. Once they become adapted to the people coming into the national parks and eating their food, it becomes a problem. Sometimes, people feed the black bears just to see them up close. By doing so, it makes the black bears more desensitized to humans and not afraid of stumbling into campgrounds looking for human food. The search for food causes damage to properties or even become dangerous to humans because of their sheer size and weight.
To combat this problem, a conservation team had to devise a way to ward off black bears that are prone to eating human food. There are numbers of ways to scare off black bears and they are: pepper spray, rocks, and/or rubber slugs. Still, those ways are not enough to stop them for searching for human food. Over the years, the team had to come up with a technique similar to parenting experiment called “adverse conditioning”. This conditioning is combining negative stimulus with unwanted behavior.
The idea is to conditioned theses bears to stop coming into parks with heavy human traffic and campgrounds. They are extremely persistent when it comes to human food and will be tempted. Even the faintest smell of food will bring them in. To avoid the smells from getting to bears, people should put food in bear proof containers
Another way of warding off hungry bears is to educate people with the consequences of human-bear interaction and ways to minimize these interactions. When going to bear country, one should always be mindful that you are stepping into their home.
Ehrenberg, R. “How to Keep Black Bears Wild”. Wired Science. January 30, 2010
Retrieved on January 30, 2010 from
www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/keeping-black-bears-wild
When people go to national parks such as Sequoia or Kings Canyon, they should be aware that they are not only stepping into the outdoors but be aware that it’s a home to many different types of animals. One type of animal can be of a nuance are the black bears. Once they become adapted to the people coming into the national parks and eating their food, it becomes a problem. Sometimes, people feed the black bears just to see them up close. By doing so, it makes the black bears more desensitized to humans and not afraid of stumbling into campgrounds looking for human food. The search for food causes damage to properties or even become dangerous to humans because of their sheer size and weight.
To combat this problem, a conservation team had to devise a way to ward off black bears that are prone to eating human food. There are numbers of ways to scare off black bears and they are: pepper spray, rocks, and/or rubber slugs. Still, those ways are not enough to stop them for searching for human food. Over the years, the team had to come up with a technique similar to parenting experiment called “adverse conditioning”. This conditioning is combining negative stimulus with unwanted behavior.
The idea is to conditioned theses bears to stop coming into parks with heavy human traffic and campgrounds. They are extremely persistent when it comes to human food and will be tempted. Even the faintest smell of food will bring them in. To avoid the smells from getting to bears, people should put food in bear proof containers
Another way of warding off hungry bears is to educate people with the consequences of human-bear interaction and ways to minimize these interactions. When going to bear country, one should always be mindful that you are stepping into their home.
#6 Refined List of Research Topics (freewrite, 5-5-5 minutes)
1. Is Global Warming really happening?
There is a debate between scientists throughout the world about the severity of the global warming and its consequences. We know that the global warming has a lot to do with the greenhouse effect of gases such as CO2, N2, 03, and Methane in our atmosphere. This will in turn effect our climate but how much of it will be effected is still in question.
2. How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
The Greenland and Antarctica holds massive amounts of freshwater glaciers and if the earth warmed up by several degrees, this would cause a catastrophic event. Even if some ice melted into the ocean, this still could affect the ocean temperature, which would greatly affect its salinity, its density, as well as its currents. Ultimately, this would change the temperature of the earth as well.
3. What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
The Yellowstone National Park erupted three times in the past 2 million years. Each of these eruptions was so great that it makes any volcanic eruptions in our lifetime extremely small in comparison. If The Yellowstone happens in the near future, there will be severe consequences of mankind and forever change the way the west looks.
There is a debate between scientists throughout the world about the severity of the global warming and its consequences. We know that the global warming has a lot to do with the greenhouse effect of gases such as CO2, N2, 03, and Methane in our atmosphere. This will in turn effect our climate but how much of it will be effected is still in question.
2. How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
The Greenland and Antarctica holds massive amounts of freshwater glaciers and if the earth warmed up by several degrees, this would cause a catastrophic event. Even if some ice melted into the ocean, this still could affect the ocean temperature, which would greatly affect its salinity, its density, as well as its currents. Ultimately, this would change the temperature of the earth as well.
3. What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
The Yellowstone National Park erupted three times in the past 2 million years. Each of these eruptions was so great that it makes any volcanic eruptions in our lifetime extremely small in comparison. If The Yellowstone happens in the near future, there will be severe consequences of mankind and forever change the way the west looks.
#5 List of Research Topics (freewrite, 5 minutes)
(1.) Is Global Warming really happening?
(2.) How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
(3.) What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
(4.) How bad of the problem is the Polar bear's habitat?
(5.) How clean is our drinking water?
(2.) How much of the sea level will rise if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts?
(3.) What would happen if the Yellowstone National Park erupted again?
(4.) How bad of the problem is the Polar bear's habitat?
(5.) How clean is our drinking water?
#4 Current Major and Career Goals (freewrite, 10 minutes
My current major is Bachelor of Science in Earth Science. However, I am trying to narrow it down with a specific concentration in atmospheric science, earth processes or geology. There is a broad spectrum of field that I can get into with a geology degree. With those types of concentration it is best to go on for your masters or PhD. As I have mentioned in all my free writes, I have a passion for the outdoors so I need to narrow it down to what I really really want to do. I am thinking fluvial or glacier geomorphologist, hydrologist, and perhaps atmospheric scientist. It is a complete 180ยบ turn from being finance major. I am thinking of getting into fluvial or glacier geomorphology because it deals with mountains, glaciers, snow, and meandering rivers and streams that comes from mountain ranges. If I go the route of being an atmospheric scientist, I would probably end up doing climatology studying climate change. It will take me a while to get these degrees but I am determined to do it. After obtaining any one of these bachelor degrees, I would like to get an internship and try to get my foot in the door to make a name of myself. After years of experience, I may go back for my masters to study a specific field of interest. It is almost impossible to see where I will be in 5, 10, 15 years down the road because life tend to happen and get the best of us. If I had to guess or day dream, I would like to see myself working for USGS (United States Geological Survey), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NWS (National Weather Service). With my expertise and dedicated in my field, I hope to make a difference in this world for the better so that our future generation can enjoy the miracles of earth.
#3 One Significant Person or Significant Event and Expand it (freewrite, 10 minutes)
One of my most memorable events of my life is going to the Yellowstone National Park with my wife and her dad. Going to Wyoming was the first time I have ever been out west. The west as always fascinated me because of the mountain ranges it has. Driving to the western part of Wyoming towards Yellowstone was very different from what I expected to be. I thought there were be abundance of trees and mountains with jagged snow peaks. Instead, it was a plain with rolling hills. The closer we got, the more the environment changed. Just before we headed up to the northwestern most part of Wyoming, I noticed it was very desert-like. It was very semi-arid with lots of dust and lacking trees and grass. Although you could see the mountain ranges from a distance and it seemed so small. As we got closer the roads began to be more switched back and inclined with mountains surrounding us. It is completely different from roads in the Great Smokey Mountains. Finally, we got to a town called Jackson, Wyoming otherwise known as Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The town of Jackson is pretty much the biggest town they have in the northwestern Wyoming. We got to a hotel, settled for a bit and had lunch (I had a bison burger and it was good!). Then we got on the road towards Yellowstone National Park. It started snowing little flurries. My wife and I were from Florida at the time so any snow would get us excited. After a few minutes on the road, we began to see the mountains with snow jagged peaks and valleys below it. The mountains we were seeing were called the Grand Teton. It was so majestic and awe-inspiring. I stood at the edge of the road looking at the valleys, rivers, and mountain ranges and imagine what it would be like to live and work at a place like that.
#2B Three Significant Events (Freewrite, 10 minutes)
This is me in the Grand Teton National Park
Significant Event 1 – When I was 12, I had a slumber party for my birthday. The next morning, my friends and I went exploring in the woods from backyard. After some time went by, we actually got lost. It was almost noon and we really needed to find our way back. We climbed a hill, which seemed like a mountain to us. From top of the hill, I saw a small wetland that seem so peaceful to me and I actually wanted to stay in the woods longer. Using skills we learned from boy scouts, we followed a meandering stream in hopes of finding any trace of civilization. Finally, we found a road not far from my home. This was an important and very memorable event because it further instilled my love for the outdoors. I will never forget it.
Significant Event 2 – Back in March 2007, my wife, her dad and I went to Wyoming to visit her grandparents. Her father suggested that we should take a road trip to see the Yellowstone National Park. It was an 8-hour drive from Cheyenne, WY to Jackson, WY. When we got closer, I could see the mountain ranges a distance with snow jagged peaks. I was getting so excited. I had never seen anything so beautiful. When we got there, the Yellowstone National Park was closed due to season (it opens April 1st). Driving out of the National Park got scary because it started snowing and it turned into a blizzard. Imagine getting stuck in a forest getting submerged under several feet of snow. If we had not got out on time, we would have been stuck. I got to admit it was kind of fun and exciting. On the way back, we got a majestic view of the Grand Teton mountain range. I was in awe. This is when I decided to think about careers involving the outdoors, especially in the mountains.
Significant Event 3 – When I was 8 years old, my mother had sent me on a trip to see my godparents in Ohio. This would make it my trip on a plane and I was by myself. I was not nervous or scared at all. I was actually curious to see what it is like. The taking off was so much fun. It felt like a roller coaster ride to me even though I did not know what it feels like at the time. I constantly looked out the window and watching the whole world running around like crazy. Like little ants doing their things. Then I remember thinking about how do planes flying. I was so perplexed and fascinated by airplanes. In fact, you could say that I was obsessed with it until I realize that it was a pipe dream of me being a pilot. I actually had a goal and it was becoming a pilot for the military, joining NASA to become an astronaut and then settle down to become a commercial jet pilot. Even though I cannot become a pilot, I still am fascinated by the atmosphere and everything involved with it.
Friday, January 29, 2010
#2A Three Significant People (Freewrite, 10 Minutes)
My Mother - She had the most profound impact in all aspects of my life. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be who I am today. When I was born, I was sick with a fever of 102¬, which was deadly enough to kill a newborn baby. Unfortunately, either the fever or the antibiotics had given me hearing nerve damage. My mother did not find out that I was deaf until I was 2 years old. She knew that there was something different about me but one day, a really loud clatter from pots and pans falling on the floor did not startle me, which had my mother perplexed as to why not. The doctor had diagnosed me to be hearing impaired. Instead of freaking out or feeling sorry for herself, she asked him what was the next step she could do. For 7 years of my childhood, she and I worked together to work on my speech. This was important because this was the hearing world and she knew that the world would not slow down to accommodate me so being able to speak was of paramount. Her schedule consisted of working with me during the day and work at night to support us. According to my mother, with the severity of my deafness and me being able to talk, I was the exception to the rule – in a way she was right and I owe it all to her.
My Wife – I married my wife for several reasons, but one of the reasons is because I know how big of a heart she has and the zest for life. Everyday of my life with her, I am in awe. She strives to be the best because she knows she can do it. She is one of the smartest people I know and I admire her dedication in life, especially when it comes to education. Before I met her, I was so wound-up, stressed and unable to enjoy life. In a way, I was a perfectionist because I hate it when things get chaotic. Now, I actually learned to sit back, enjoy life and sometimes go with the flow. She is a firm believer that. I remember the very first night we hung out at Dunkin’ Donuts and talked about everything. She has the most beautiful eyes and smile I’ve ever seen. Looking back, I realize that I have traveled more and done more things with her than I ever had with anybody. She is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without her. On the plus side, we share the same interests like camping and hiking, which makes life more enjoyable. Happiness is best when shared.
Khris Beldon – She was a very special speech pathologist. When I was 5 years through 8 years old, I had to go see her every day to practice on my speech at school. Everytime I get to go see her, I get so excited. She made learning fun and she loved to hear my adventure stories that I did after school and over the weekends. I think this was her ploy to get me to talk better and better because I remember when I say a word wrong she would correct me. Instead of getting frustrated, I took it with a grain of salt and had a lot of patience as a kid. I also remember playing games with her that were fun and educational. When I had to move to North Carolina for 2 years, I was sad about leaving her. By the time I came back to Florida, she had died of ovarian cancer. She was quite young. I believe she was 42 when she died. I will always remember her as a friend and an influential speech pathologist.
My Wife – I married my wife for several reasons, but one of the reasons is because I know how big of a heart she has and the zest for life. Everyday of my life with her, I am in awe. She strives to be the best because she knows she can do it. She is one of the smartest people I know and I admire her dedication in life, especially when it comes to education. Before I met her, I was so wound-up, stressed and unable to enjoy life. In a way, I was a perfectionist because I hate it when things get chaotic. Now, I actually learned to sit back, enjoy life and sometimes go with the flow. She is a firm believer that. I remember the very first night we hung out at Dunkin’ Donuts and talked about everything. She has the most beautiful eyes and smile I’ve ever seen. Looking back, I realize that I have traveled more and done more things with her than I ever had with anybody. She is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without her. On the plus side, we share the same interests like camping and hiking, which makes life more enjoyable. Happiness is best when shared.
Khris Beldon – She was a very special speech pathologist. When I was 5 years through 8 years old, I had to go see her every day to practice on my speech at school. Everytime I get to go see her, I get so excited. She made learning fun and she loved to hear my adventure stories that I did after school and over the weekends. I think this was her ploy to get me to talk better and better because I remember when I say a word wrong she would correct me. Instead of getting frustrated, I took it with a grain of salt and had a lot of patience as a kid. I also remember playing games with her that were fun and educational. When I had to move to North Carolina for 2 years, I was sad about leaving her. By the time I came back to Florida, she had died of ovarian cancer. She was quite young. I believe she was 42 when she died. I will always remember her as a friend and an influential speech pathologist.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Science Article #1
‘Echoes’ in bat and dolphin DNA
Amos, J. “Echoes in bat and dolphin DNA,” BBC, January 26, 2010
Retrieved on Janurary 28, 2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8478566.stm
A unique ability that bats and dolphins have is being able to echolocate which enables them to navigate around and look for their prey by using high frequency sounds. They emit these sounds to help “see” the environment and the objects nearby are sourced by those sounds bouncing back. The idea of echolocation is similar to sonar, which is another way of “seeing” what is out there. A recent study has found that bats and dolphins share a similar gene that is responsible for this ability. Evidently, this gene has mutated throughout evolution and became a necessity. This specific type of gene called prestin, which is responsible for this ability as well as tiny hairs in the inner ear help increase the effectiveness of their echolocation. This is an exciting find because it shows that two completely different species can have the same characteristics.
As a result this research, they also found that in human version of prestin, a different mutation is accountable for a loss of high frequency hearing. This ongoing research is an important scientific discovery because it not only helps scientist continue their quest to understand human genetics but also understand reasons for these mutations that occurred throughout evolution.
Amos, J. “Echoes in bat and dolphin DNA,” BBC, January 26, 2010
Retrieved on Janurary 28, 2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8478566.stm
A unique ability that bats and dolphins have is being able to echolocate which enables them to navigate around and look for their prey by using high frequency sounds. They emit these sounds to help “see” the environment and the objects nearby are sourced by those sounds bouncing back. The idea of echolocation is similar to sonar, which is another way of “seeing” what is out there. A recent study has found that bats and dolphins share a similar gene that is responsible for this ability. Evidently, this gene has mutated throughout evolution and became a necessity. This specific type of gene called prestin, which is responsible for this ability as well as tiny hairs in the inner ear help increase the effectiveness of their echolocation. This is an exciting find because it shows that two completely different species can have the same characteristics.
As a result this research, they also found that in human version of prestin, a different mutation is accountable for a loss of high frequency hearing. This ongoing research is an important scientific discovery because it not only helps scientist continue their quest to understand human genetics but also understand reasons for these mutations that occurred throughout evolution.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
#1 Earliest Memory (Freewrite, 10 minutes)
The earliest memory I have is when I was 4 years old. My mother and I just had moved down to Port Orange, Florida from South Carolina. My mother decided to move with her friend and her two kids because the father had to relocate for his job. I remember shortly after moving to Florida, my mother, her friend and I were walking towards K-Mart to get some things for the new place. Before walking into the store, there was a bunch of commotion and the store’s intercom was going crazy. Being deaf, I could not understand what was being said or find out what is going on.
The reason for the commotion was because it was January 28th, 1986, which was the day space shuttle Challenger blew up. My mom grabbed my hands and took me outside. She pointed up towards the sky. I was still confused as to what was going on until I saw big cloud of smoke and some debris was falling from the sky. My mom explained to me that a shuttle with people inside blew up. I felt a wave of sadness at first and then suddenly felt fear for both my mom and I. I thought the debris was going to fall on us so I pulled her to go inside the store. She told me that it was over the ocean – far away from us.
I will never forget this day because it was my earliest experience that was intense and filled with confusion of moving to a new state and an explosion shortly after we moved. I guess you could say it was too much excitement a little kid who is easily oblivious to the world because of his deafness. This was always the first time I felt a sense of awareness faster than normal. I will always remember that fateful day and from that day forward, my love for science had emerged. Despite of the tragic event, I wanted to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, I couldn’t because I would not pass the physical. Still, that did not stop my love and quest for science.
The reason for the commotion was because it was January 28th, 1986, which was the day space shuttle Challenger blew up. My mom grabbed my hands and took me outside. She pointed up towards the sky. I was still confused as to what was going on until I saw big cloud of smoke and some debris was falling from the sky. My mom explained to me that a shuttle with people inside blew up. I felt a wave of sadness at first and then suddenly felt fear for both my mom and I. I thought the debris was going to fall on us so I pulled her to go inside the store. She told me that it was over the ocean – far away from us.
I will never forget this day because it was my earliest experience that was intense and filled with confusion of moving to a new state and an explosion shortly after we moved. I guess you could say it was too much excitement a little kid who is easily oblivious to the world because of his deafness. This was always the first time I felt a sense of awareness faster than normal. I will always remember that fateful day and from that day forward, my love for science had emerged. Despite of the tragic event, I wanted to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, I couldn’t because I would not pass the physical. Still, that did not stop my love and quest for science.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Researcher's Autobiography
I love researching. I can spend hours on the internet finding interesting articles about anything that grabs my interest, especially articles relating to earth science and other science fields. In fact, a lot of websites that I go on are both science and technology related. Most of them are already bookmarked. Everyone in my family is always asking me to help them look something up because of my “internet researching skills” and somehow I find things they are looking for.
The research part comes easy to me but the writing does not. Last semester, I took SOM 301 which is a course for business communication. We learned about writing professionally on paper as well as electronically. It definitely helped me with my writing skills and most importantly taught me how to cite my sources. Unfortunately, I would not be getting any credit for SOM 301 since I am changing my major to Earth Science. However, I am glad that I took the course.
The way I get things done when it comes to writing is by doing it. I have learned in the SOM 301 course that planning a paper should take about 50% of your time during writing. That time is spent on researching, brainstorming, rough drafts, and finding your “audience”. What I mean by audience is figuring out who are you writing to – professor, colleague, general public, etc. Truth be told, I am not entirely perfect at that stage but I am working on it. Writing to me is a very long process and needs a lot of time spent on revising or editing, proofreading and completing. Before completing my papers, I would have someone else proofread my papers just to make sure there are no mistakes that are easily overlooked. One advice I have about writing paper is talk out your sentences out loud and see if it sounds correct and if it does not, chances are you need to go back and redo it.
Hopefully by this semesters end, I will mesh both of my researching skills and my writing skills together to help me with my academic as well as professional world.
The research part comes easy to me but the writing does not. Last semester, I took SOM 301 which is a course for business communication. We learned about writing professionally on paper as well as electronically. It definitely helped me with my writing skills and most importantly taught me how to cite my sources. Unfortunately, I would not be getting any credit for SOM 301 since I am changing my major to Earth Science. However, I am glad that I took the course.
The way I get things done when it comes to writing is by doing it. I have learned in the SOM 301 course that planning a paper should take about 50% of your time during writing. That time is spent on researching, brainstorming, rough drafts, and finding your “audience”. What I mean by audience is figuring out who are you writing to – professor, colleague, general public, etc. Truth be told, I am not entirely perfect at that stage but I am working on it. Writing to me is a very long process and needs a lot of time spent on revising or editing, proofreading and completing. Before completing my papers, I would have someone else proofread my papers just to make sure there are no mistakes that are easily overlooked. One advice I have about writing paper is talk out your sentences out loud and see if it sounds correct and if it does not, chances are you need to go back and redo it.
Hopefully by this semesters end, I will mesh both of my researching skills and my writing skills together to help me with my academic as well as professional world.
First Post
This was during my honeymoon in the Great Smokey Mountains. It was one of the best days of my life. My love of my life and my love for nature - Heaven! My wife took this picture (Isn't she talented?)
Wow!
This is my first post. I never thought I would create a blog. This online course is a little bit confusing and seems a lot to take on at once. However, slowly but surely I am getting the hang of it. Wish me luck!!
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