Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:19
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Human Impacts in Antarctica 2011

Questions from Ms. Brown's 2nd Period 8th Grade Science Class

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:22

Anonymous

how long does it take for water to freeze? and have you seen any penguins yet?

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:26

Anonymous

HI MISS BROWN! we miss you and its fun here with mr.santos but its not the same with out you. Its Maya who is writeing this by the way! we hope you are having a good time there and that you are learning alot. :)................Hi Miss Brown Sounds like your having alot of fun and learning a bunch in Mcmurdo. Just like we are here..What's the coolest thing you learned so far? ~Abi And Maya

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:26

Anonymous

it is chilly here is it cold there? How cold is it right now? Natalie, Taylor, and Cole.

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:27

Anonymous

Whats up homie!! u likin dat cold? Dowg we told hope u havin a good time! If u find any of those pimp penguins, say whats up for me. U probably hav alot of work to do but holla at me when u get the chance.Austen,Ruben

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:27

Anonymous

How is it down there? Have you gotten use to the weather yet?

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:30

Anonymous

what have u been doing for fun?what is ur favorite color?
Are u more comftobal now then when you got their?
What animal life have you seen so far?

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:30

Anonymous

what have u been doing for fun?what is ur favorite color?
Are u more comftobal now then when you got their?
What animal life have you seen so far?

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 06:32

Anonymous

Helllo Ms.Brown have you seen any wierd animals like yetis?Joaquin

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:49

Michelle Brown

Hello Table C!! (good to hear from you!)I haven't seen any penguins yet.
How long it takes water to freeze depends on how cold it is. If it's
really cold (-40 or so), then water will freeze instantly. I'll have to
do a test to see how long it takes water to freeze now.
Keep the questions coming and check the journals every day!!
(And say hello to the rest of Period 2 for me!)
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:49

Michelle Brown

Hello Abi and Maya!I miss you all too and am glad you are in good hands back at O.Henry!
I'm having a great time and learning a TON! I can't wait to come back
and share everything with you (and make you learn it too!)
Hmmm... the coolest thing I've learned so far. That's tough. One thing
that sticks out though is the other night I had dinner with a bunch of
physicists who study neutrinos. We mentioned neutrinos briefly in class
when we were studying atoms. Neutrinos are subatomic particles (smaller
than atoms), which are everywhere but they are very hard to detect.
Anyway, these physicists were telling me about their project, but we
started talking about other subatomic particles such as neutrons. The
really cool and crazy thing I learned about neutrons is that free
neutrons (ones that are not stuck to atoms in the nucleus) will only
last around 9 minutes before they turn into a proton, electron and
neutrino. That blew my mind!
I'm going to write a whole journal on neutrinos and the cool research
project the physicists are doing, so keep your eyes out for it!
It's so good to hear from you all--please keep writing!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:04

Michelle Brown

Hi Natalie, Taylor and Cole!I'm going to bet that it's colder here than in Austin! I can always see
what the exact temperature is by looking at a website that is constantly
updated.
Right now it is -9.8°C (14°F), however the wind speed is 8mph so it
feels like (3°F).
Keep reading and asking questions!!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:34

Michelle Brown

Hello Austen and Ruben!I think you meant to write the following:
"Hello Ms. Brown! How are you enjoying the cold weather down in
Antarctica? We hope you are having a good time! If you find any
penguins, please let us know as we are very interested in learning more
about their habitat and behavior. I imagine you are working very hard
there, but please let us know what life is like down there when possible."
I'll be sure to expect this kind of diction (choice of words) in future
posts, but I'm really happy to hear from you two!
I am doing well and no, I have not yet seen penguins, but apparently I
will be able to see some in the future!
I hope you are both doing well and that your english teachers did not
see your post!! They might not be pleased!
Keep writing and I hope you are keeping up with my journals!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:34

Michelle Brown

Hello Table G!It is surreal and wonderful down here! The sun never sets, there are big
snowy mountains and a volcano in the horizon, and I'm surrounded by
really interesting scientists! I am slowly getting used to the weather.
Mostly, it's learning how to wear layers so that you can stay at a good
temperature. You would think I would be freezing here, but really I go
from cold to hot, and need to constantly regulate my temperature by
putting on or taking off layers. I also am mastering how to cover my
face so that I can still breathe comfortably without fogging up my
sunglasses or goggles, while still covering my face so I don't get sun
burnt or cold.
I hope you are all doing well and please keep posting questions and
reading the journals!!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:49

Michelle Brown

Hello Table B!Hmmm.. what have I been doing for fun. Honestly, I haven't had a lot of
free time, but the trainings I've been going to have been a lot of fun!
Did you see the last journal I wrote about snowmobiling? That was one
of the most fun things I've done since I've been down here. Also, happy
camper school was a blast! We made a wall out of snow and had some fun
playing around on the snow once all our work was done.
What is my favorite color!?!? To be polite, I will answer your
question: my favorite color is sky blue. But as your teacher, I will
remind you that you should be asking questions about what I'm seeing and
learning!
Yes, I am much more comfortable now than when I first arrived. This is
because I've learned a lot about the best way to dress, how to stay warm
but not too warm, and the importance of staying hydrated. I make sure
to drink a lot of water since it is so dry here, and I always have
snacks in my pockets so that I am never too hungry.
So far I have seen a seal, a Skua, and some small organisms called
pteropods. The seal was sitting out on the ice in the sun and you could
hear it breathing! The Skua was trying to take someone's food on their
way from the cafeteria to the dorms, and the pteropods were swimming
under the ice (I went into a cool observation tube that let you see
under the sea ice!).
I hope you are doing well and learning a lot while I'm gone! Check the
journals and write me more questions!!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 13:04

Michelle Brown

Hello Joaquin!You would love it down here! No, no yetis yet :) but I did see a seal,
a Skua (remember--the big birds down here that steal people's food?) and
some pteropods (little organisms that swim under the sea ice).
Apparently I'll be able to see some penguins when I get out of town!
I'll definitely share pictures/videos.
Please keep reading the journals and let me know if you have any more
questions!!
Sincerely,
Michelle (Ms. Brown)