PLP Oregon 2023! 🌊🚌🌲

I just returned from a week-long field study to Oregon, and it was an incredible experience. From seeing a gun library, to visiting the Astoria Column and learning about disappearing guns, to visiting High Life Adventures for some thrilling zip-lining, there was never a dull moment.

One of the most fascinating things we learned about was the impact of colonization on the Chinook tribes and their use of Western Red cedar trees. The Tillamook Valley settlers, on the other hand, were able to capitalize on the wet climate to raise dairy cows and establish a successful creamery.

We also had the opportunity to participate in some citizen science projects, from studying different types of shrimp to conducting a race experiment with crabs. And let’s not forget our attempts at building a functioning robot, which taught us an important lesson about simplicity and functionality.

My favourite experience was visiting Wolf Haven, a sanctuary that rescues and cares for wolves and other endangered species. Learning about the prairies and First Nations’ use of plants only added to the experience.Of course, no trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, a remarkable structure with a fascinating history.

I loved getting to bond with my classmates and explore different surroundings. I have attached my field journal along at the bottom, so you can get the full experience of my trip while sitting right at home! Overall, it was an amazing trip full of learning, adventure, and appreciation for the natural world. I can’t wait for the next field study!

Canadas Colonization 🇨🇦🍁

Canada’s colonization was a lengthy process that had a significant impact on the peoples and the history of the region. European colonization in Canada began in the late 15th century when English, French, and Spanish explorers first set foot on Canadian soil. In the early days of colonization, European countries sought to establish trade relationships and colonization that would eventually lead to permanent settlement. 

After several decades of explorations, British and French colonizers established their presence in the region in the 17th century. British colonization began with the establishment of trading posts, while French colonization was focused on the missionary work and the fur trade, and the Fill du Roi were brought to Canada to populate areas and build a equal gendered society. Poor got to live a new life, getting a fresh start, and the wealthy have an opportunity to take new “unclaimed” land. The colonization process was marked by various conflicts and tensions between different groups of Europeans and indigenous peoples.

The impact of colonization on Canada was enormous. One of the most significant long-term consequences was the displacement of indigenous peoples from their lands. The arrival of European settlers led to the introduction of new diseases, which devastated indigenous populations. Additionally, European colonizers brought with them new technologies and cultural practices that disrupted traditional ways of life among indigenous communities.

Another major consequence of colonization was the forcing of European political and legal systems on indigenous peoples. Europeans established a system of governance based on their own legal systems, which were conflicting with indigenous traditions. This led to a loss of power \ for many indigenous groups and the undermining of their cultural and political identity.

The impact of colonization is still felt in Canada today. Indigenous peoples continue to struggle with the legacy of displacement, assimilation, and loss of culture. Many Canadians can trace their ancestors back to the Fill du Roi, them being called the Founding Mothers. The Canadian government has acknowledged this legacy and has made efforts to reconcile with indigenous peoples through initiatives such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. 

In conclusion, Canada’s colonization had far-reaching consequences for all involved. It led to the displacement and marginalization of indigenous peoples and had profound effects on the country’s political, social, and cultural fabrics. It also led to new starts, civilizations and creating The legacy of colonization remains a significant issue in Canada, and efforts towards reconciliation and decolonization must continue.

Mind Over Matter ⚛️

This semester in science was my favourite by far, and here’s why!

Keystone 1.  Who Am I?

In the first keystone , we learned about mass, volume, and density. We discovered that mass is the amount of matter in an object, volume is the amount of space the object takes up, and density is the measure of how tightly packed the matter in an object is. We learned how to calculate these measurements using various formulas and by using different equipment like triple beam balances and rulers. We also saw how these measurements differ for different objects of the same size and how they can be used to identify materials. Our project was to measure an object of our choosing, me choosing my phone, and find the mass, volume, density, physical properties, and qualitative and quantitative observations. This was a fun project and taught us how to discover the dimensions and mass of different objects.

             

Keystone 2.  Gummy Bear Diffusion 🍬🧸

In the second keystone, we dissolved gummy bears in different types of water to see how they were affected by the different states of matter. We learned that hot water dissolves gummy bears faster than cold water, fizzy water didn’t dissolve at all, and ice freezing the gummy bear.  We also saw how the gummy bears changed shape and mass during the dissolution process. They all grew in the end of the experiment, cold water being the biggest and hot water being the smallest and the only one that was semi-dissolved. This project was really fun, and we got to observe the bears as they were affected by matter. 

 

Keystone 3.  Scratch Video Game 🎮

In the third keystone, w had to make video games, so I made mine about about the different states of matter, including plasma. We used scratch to code our games, and that was not an easy task, but we figured it out. The process itself was very straightforward, but the coding took a bit of time, so I needed help form my fellow classmates for some of the codes. Everyone’s end result was amazing, each unique to the creator and still showing the aspect of states of matter. This project taught us about the creative process of making video games and how to make educational material engaging and interactive.

My video game ⬇️

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/842310134/

All these keystones were so fun to do, and helped my understanding of the states of matter and the mass in and around them.