#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.

#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?

#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.