Middle School
Conservation ActivityWhat roles do society, politics, and economics play in science?Discovering the roles and influence that society, politics, and economics have on science takes some practice. Sometimes these influences are not obvious but appear only after a solution to the problem has been tested over a period of time.These articles describe conservation problems and solutions that were influenced by scientific, social, economic, or political issues. As you read each article, take note of the sections that represent these factors. You will use these articles in your assignment for this lesson.Using Forests WiselyForestCommunity ConservationSky view of a townUsing both of the articles, answer the questions below. You can answer questions on a word processing document and upload it for grading, or you can submit answers to questions directly. Be sure to review the grading rubric before you begin.Summarize the scientific information that leads to conservation in each of the articles.What social issues affected the problem or its solution in each of the stories?How did economics delay scientists' first attempts for conservation in each story?Describe the political actions that led to successful conservation in both stories.
Read these two paragraphs from a science course, looking for similarities in how the paragraphs are organized.LightLight passes through some materials without scattering. We call objects of this kind transparent. Clear glass and clear plastic wrap are two transparent objects. Other objects, such as wax paper or frosted glass, let some light through but scatter or block the rest. These objects are translucent. Then there are opaque objects, which do not let any light through. Opaque objects block all light. Instead, they produce shadows on a surface when an object prevents light from reaching that surface. You are an opaque object. So is a wooden door, a refrigerator, or a moose.SoundSound travels in waves that are produced when something vibrates. Sound waves are invisiblewe cannot see the movement of sound through the air with our eyes. Unlike light, sound needs a medium, something to travel through. Sounds can move through solids like walls or clothing, liquids such as water, or gases such as air. Walls, water, and air are all examples of different media through which sound travels.Both paragraphs describe how a type of energy moves, or travels. How are the structures of the paragraphs alike? Choose the answer that best compares the structures of the two paragraphs.A. One paragraph starts with a concept while the other paragraph starts with an example.B. Both paragraphs start with a general statement about how the energy form movesthen they get more specific.C. Both paragraphs are about a form of energy that we use in our daily lives without thinking about it.D. One paragraph is about light and objects that interact with light; the other is about sound.
