Space and the Sun

For today we will be researching different points about our solar system and the Universe.  Use the links below as we did last time.

1. Who was the first person to suggest that the Sun was in the middle of our Solar system? What did people think of this?
2. What is currently thought to have started the Universe?
3. Is the Universe getting bigger or smaller at the moment?
4. How is our Sun changing in size?
5. For the planet you were working on last lesson, find out how long it takes to orbit the sun (how mant days one year has).
6. How many other suns do Scientists think might exist? Why don't we know an exact number?

For question 1: http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/kopernik/copernicus.shtml
Question 2 and 3: http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-powered-the-big-bang/
Question 4: http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/star_life/starlife_main.html
Question 5: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/index.html
Question 6: http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM75BS1VED_index_0.html

Try these once you're finished - http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/known-universe-interactive

I.T. lesson

Today we will be doing some online research to give you some more background knowledge about the topics we'll be covering this year.  Use the links below the questions to help you! Remember that you can access this site from home if you need any information that we've been using in class.

1. What are some types of evidence that forensic scientists might collect? Try and name three different examples:
2. Name three organelles that BOTH plant and animal cells have, and two organelles that ONLY plants have.
3. Give a brief explanation of what happened to the nuclear power plant at Fukushima, how it happened and what problems this caused.
4. What issues are facing the Drill (a type of monkey) and the northern white rhino? What are scientists doing to try and fix the problem?

Site that gives some good information about forensics - http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/index1.htm
Info about plant and animal cells - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/cells/cells1.shtml
Link to BBC article about Fukushima Nuclear power plant - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219
Article about endangered Drills and Rhinos - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14765186

Finally, try anything on this website - http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/index1.htm or http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/onlinestuff/games/