Dig Your Own Fossils In Arizona

Fossils are waiting to be discovered in Arizona.

An abundance of fossils have been discovered in Arizona, some through excavation and others simply found on the surface --- exposed by wind or water erosion. Fossil hunting offers the excitement of finding an artifact from millions of years ago and holding it in your hands. You also learn about how the plant and animal life on earth evolved over the course of eons. The fossils you collect are fun to display at home and show your friends. You may even win the fossil hunter's equivalent of the lottery and discover a new species of dinosaur.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Learn about the geologic time scale --- the division of Earth's history into geologic eras and periods. Choose the era or period from which you want to find fossils.

2. Obtain the proper permissions. For each area you intend to visit for fossil hunting, find out who owns the land and whether fossil hunting is allowed. The majority of the land in Arizona is under the control of the state or federal government. Collecting fossils on U.S. Forest Service land or state land requires a permit. Before entering or fossil hunting on private land, obtain permission from the owners.

3. Choose the best time to hunt fossils, considering climate and time of year. Looking for fossils in the southern deserts of Arizona can be physically taxing and potentially dangerous during the hottest months of the summer. Wait until late October to do your fossil hunting there. Conversely, winter storms often visit the high country near Flagstaff and the rim country in the eastern part of the state. The pleasant summer months there make for a great vacation as well as a fossil hunt.

Digging

4. Dig with a round-edge shovel to remove dirt around the fossil. Include a rock hammer in your tool kit. The closer you get to the fossil, the smaller the tool you will need to excavate it without damaging it. Loosen compacted soil with a small pickax. Use a flat-bladed, pointed mason's trowel to scrape fine layers of soil from the area where the fossil is located. Bring a whisk broom and a paintbrush to sweep material away from around the fossil. A dental pick assists with very fine work.

5. Wear durable but comfortable clothes and hiking boots. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands. Bring plenty of water so you won't get dehydrated from being out in the dry desert climate. Always have a cell phone with you so you can call for help if you are injured while digging.

6. Photograph your fossil hunting site to record where you discovered interesting finds. Keep a log book that lists the locations where you dig. You may find something of potential importance to paleontologists, and if so, you need to be able to direct them to the site for further study.

Tags: fossil hunting, around fossil, discovered Arizona, your fossil, your fossil hunting, your hands

Cite Usgs Maps Using The Mla Format

Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used to format research papers, essays, journals and newsletters in the humanities field, and employs parenthetical citations within the text and a list of references in alphabetical order at the conclusion of the work. MLA format breaks down a paper into sections delineated by a number, a period and a space, followed by the title of the section. Format a United States Geological Survey (USGS) map by following a specific set of guidelines.

Instructions

1. Type the title of the map and underline or italicize the title.

2. Type the descriptive label using the word "Map."

3. Type the city of publication followed by a colon, then the publisher and the date of the map's publication if it is available. Date format is the day followed by the month then the year, with no commas.

4. Write the title of the online collection and underline or italicize it.

5. Provide the date the map was posted or most recently updated.

6. Type the name of the project or database reference (if applicable), underlined or in italics.

7. Type the name of the sponsoring institution, which in this case would be the United States Geological Survey.

8. Provide the date you accessed the USGS website and type the website page information. The citation should look like this:

"Map of 1860 Colonial America. (in italics or underlined) Map. St. Louis: Smith, 1860. Colonial American Map Collections. (in italics or underlined) 11 May 2010. Maps and Legends. (In italics or underlined) United States Geological Survey. 15 June 2011 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/nc/shake/71596420/."

Tags: Geological Survey, italics underlined, States Geological, States Geological Survey, United States, United States Geological

Interpret Geologic Rock Diagrams

Geologists use rock diagrams to graphically express every aspect of geology and earth sciences.

Geologists, amateur rock hounds and Earth Sciences students all need to use and interpret a variety of geologic charts, graphs, maps and cross sectional diagrams. The making and interpretation of these assorted graphic tools are essential to geologic work in the field, in the laboratory, and reporting in the scientific literature. Oil and gas exploration and civil engineering are two disciplines which rely heavily upon interpreting geologic graphics and rock diagrams. You can learn to recognize, understand, and interpret a few of the basic and fundamental diagram types if you attack each graphic with a common logical approach.

Instructions

1. Decide if you have seen this type of rock diagram before. Recall when and where you saw a diagram like this and try to categorize what type of diagram it is... map, cross section, block, fencepost, fault movement, quake epicenter or ternary diagram. Read a brief review of each of these main geologic rock diagram types in the "Tips" section below. Be familiar with their appearances and the parameters and concepts each one expresses.

2. Determine what is the main idea or purpose behind this graphic. Decide what the author is trying to tell you. Read and understand the title and any captions included with the geologic diagram. If the title says "cross section", then you know that you are looking at a cut-away view of the Earth. If the title says "block diagram", then you know you are looking at a three-dimensional slice of the Earth.

3. Figure out what variables this diagram expresses or demonstrates. Ask yourself, "What are the things that are changing?" Each dimension on paper represents a dimension in the real world. You must decide what each dimension on the diagram represents in the real world. For example, maps represent distances and directions. Ternary diagrams represent mineral or sediment compositions.

4. Decide what units of measurement the diagram uses. If it is a map, are the units in feet, meters, kilometers or miles? If it is a block diagram or a fencepost diagram, what is the scale of the vertical dimension? In what units are the surface dimensions represented? Is there exaggeration of any of the dimensions? Geologists often exaggerate the vertical dimension scale on cross section diagrams to accentuate topography and to make sure that mountains appear as actual mountains not just as low hills.

5. Determine the range of values expressed by each variable in the rock diagram. Decide what the maximum and minimum values are for each measured parameter. Be sure to remember the units associated with the values given as explained in the previous step.

6. Ascertain the overall significance of the information presented on each diagram. As yourself, "What does this mean and why is it important?" The answer to this question is the key to correct interpretation of the geologic diagram. Understanding what information is presented is very important; but knowing what the information means is vital to grasping the concepts presented by the graphic.

7. Predict the usefulness of the information by thinking of ways that you or another geologist might be able to use the information in similar situations. Decide how you might use a rock diagram similar to this one in other applications. Try to think of ways that this information might be presented in other formats. As your analysis deepens, so does your comprehension and ability to interpret other similar geological graphics and the concepts they represent.

Tags: rock diagram, cross section, Decide what, block diagram, diagram types, geologic diagram, information presented

Lessons On Metamorphic Rocks For The Second Grade

Demonstrate how metamorphic rocks form with some educational classroom activities.

Get your second grade class rocking and rolling with some exciting lesson plans to help teach them about the various types of rocks. Devote all or part of a class day to getting your students acquainted with metamorphic rocks; plan a variety of entertaining activities to help demonstrate the concepts you cover in your lesson.

Science Experiments

Affected by heat and pressure, metamorphic rocks become soft and flexible deep inside the earth. Use hands-on science experiments to demonstrate this bendable consistency. For instance, use plasticine or modeling clay to form round balls and then freeze them. Once frozen, place the balls on a flat surface and lay a large brick on top of them. Have the students record their observations about what happens to the balls as they transition to room temperature, and then discuss what the activity demonstrates about metamorphic rock under heat and pressure.

Metamorphic Rock Haikus

Combine your metamorphic rock teaching material with a lesson on write a haiku; this type of poetry should work well with your rock lesson since a haiku typically contains lots of imagery about natural objects or phenomena. Give your students some background facts about metamorphic rocks and the way they are formed, and then discuss the specifics of writing a haiku. Allow the students time to ask questions about what you've covered, and then devote some class time to writing haiku poems about metamorphic rocks. At the end of the day, have the students come forward to present their short poems.

Geologist for A Day

Use visual aids to help your students grasp the concepts in your lesson about metamorphic rocks. Tell the class they will be geologists for a day, and that their task will be to make observations about real specimens of metamorphosed rocks; give each student a hand lens to make him feel like an official junior geologist. In notebooks or on scrap pieces of paper, have the class record notes and observations regarding the physical properties they see. As the various metamorphic rocks are passed around, discuss the physical attributes of the specimens and how they differ from other types of rocks.

Culinary Creations

For a fun and tasty interactive lesson, incorporate concepts concerning metamorphic rocks into your class snack time. Dole out three different colored pieces of taffy or another candy of a similar consistency to each student. Have the students unwrap the candies and then stack them one on top of the other. Give the children a moment to make initial observations about the physical appearance of the stacked candies. Then, have the students place the stacks in their hands to slowly push down on and compress the candies; this will simulate the application of heat and pressure in metamorphic rock formation. Have the students compare the resulting stacks with their pre-compression observations and discuss how the activity relates to metamorphosed rocks.

Tags: metamorphic rocks, about metamorphic, about metamorphic rocks, heat pressure, observations about, your students

Locate Atlantis

Atlantis exists, but people are looking in the wrong places. Inject science into legends for the best way to find Atlantis. The events surrounding Atlantis' demise are very similar to end-of-ice-age events. Focus your search by understanding that Atlantis was part of a bigger picture.

Instructions

1. Study all the information that you can about Atlantis. Look for materials that talk about it's end. Plato's "Critias" is one place. Other cultures around the world talk about continents sinking beneath the waves.

2. Notice common trends. Different theorists propose different Atlantis locations, when it went under and how it went under. They also advance common trends despite their story's differences, such as volcanic eruptions, floods and earthquakes.

3. Look at the results from a scientific perspective. Plato placed Atlantis' end 9,000 years before his time. That's a little over 11,000 years ago, toward the end of the last Ice Age. Large ice sheets aren't the only thing that happened during the ice age. Those ice sheets held what's mostly ocean today. Our water levels were lower, exposing large land masses off our coast.

4. Obtain a global map showing underwater topography. Compare that to landmasses exposed during the last ice age. Find a landmass that exceeded Libya and Asia as seen by the ancients. Understand that their interpretation of the Atlantic Ocean was different from ours. To them, the Atlantic Ocean encircled the Earth. Look for such an underwater land mass.

5. Figure out what part of the world would've supported double harvests, suggesting a warm climate, during the last ice age. Look to lands in the equator area and zero in on the underwater continental shelf connecting Southeast Asia to the Asian mainland. That area was exposed during the last ice age, and lies right on the Equator. It's bigger than Libya as shown on ancient maps.

6. Read about geographical, geologic and meteorological changes that take place at the end of an ice age. Understand that when the ice sheets melt, the pressure points shift, causing volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and rising sea levels. Activities associated with the "sinking" of Atlantis.

7. Search for Atlantis in the waters in Southeast Asia.

Tags: during last, Atlantic Ocean, common trends, exposed during, exposed during last, Southeast Asia

Train For Road Accident Investigation

Road traffic investigator training requires specific skills.

Employment opportunities for a road accident investigator --- generally referred to as "road traffic investigator" --- are with insurance companies, local authorities, legal firms and, of course, the police force. The job description includes examining accident scenes and vehicles, collecting witness statements, examining tachograph information on coaches or semi-trailer trucks, analyzing photographs of the accident, producing scaled diagrams of the scenes and using software programs to reconstruct accidents and determine factors such as speed and momentum.

Instructions

1. Review the road traffic investigator job description. Decide if this is the sort of work that interests you. Shift work and antisocial hours are involved, as traffic accidents do not follow a conventional workday schedule.

2. Assess your skills and abilities in relation to those required for road traffic investigation. Are you good at detailed work, and do you have math and physics abilities? Other job requirements for being a road traffic investigator include good problem-solving skills, being able to prioritize information, having a methodical approach to collecting evidence, being able to work alone and having excellent communication skills.

3. Research road traffic investigation training programs. Some courses --- such as the City and Guilds Certificate in Forensic Collision Investigation --- are only available to trained police officers. Other training is offered through universities, private training facilities or e-learning.

4. Interview people who work as road traffic investigators. There is nothing like talking to people in the field to give you a better feel for what the work would be like. Ask them about the positive and negative aspects of the job.

Tags: road traffic, traffic investigator, being able, road traffic investigation, road traffic investigator, traffic investigation

Choose A Marine Mammal Training School

Many people express a yearning to study marine life or take steps toward becoming a marine mammal trainer. Due to the high demand of this career, marine mammal training is a highly competitive field. This is why choosing the right training school is so important. The right choice can certainly give you a leg up in this very competitive job market.

Instructions

1. Consider obtaining a bachelor of science degree to go along with your marine mammal training. Strictly speaking, it is not a requirement for a marine mammal trainer to have a bachelor's degree. However, having a degree will make your application look more appealing to most employers. Choose from biology, chemistry, geology, or physics as a basic undergraduate major before going on to studies in marine mammal training.

2. Volunteer or complete an internship with your local aquarium or marine wildlife habitat. Not only will this experience help you in the long run with your job applications, it will also provide a mentor who can discuss the training school options available in your area. The mentor should be able to provide valuable insight that can assist you in your career.

3. Research individual schools. Once you have a list of potential schools, you will be able to email or call the schools to request additional information.

4. Examine the cost, and time required to complete each program, as well as the curriculum for the various programs. Make sure your program provides a sufficient amount of hands-on experience.

5. Consider the job placement rate for past graduates. If your school consistently turns out graduates who are not successful in their career, you will want to look elsewhere.

Tags: marine mammal, mammal training, with your, mammal trainer, marine mammal trainer

What Is Required To Become A Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers may work in refineries, designing and testing methods for refining petroleum.

A petroleum engineer works in the oil and gas extraction industry. Petroleum engineers work with geologists to understand the best way to extract oil and gas, and design methods and materials for use in extraction. Petroleum engineers may also monitor drilling operations and develop new methods for improving extraction yields. Petroleum engineers may also conduct research in oil and gas supplies or work in refineries or on drilling rigs.

Undergraduate Education

A bachelor's degree in engineering or petroleum engineering is required for most entry-level jobs as a petroleum engineer. Some petroleum engineers have undergraduate degrees in mining, geology or geophysics, rather than petroleum engineering, but some coursework in petroleum engineering is usually required. Coursework for a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering generally includes work in mathematics and geology, as well as subjects such as petroleum drilling, reservoir fluids and well performance. Some practical experience, such as an internship, may also be required to complete the degree.

Graduate Education

Some petroleum engineers also have a graduate degree in petroleum engineering. In some cases, graduate students obtained an undergraduate degree in geology or civil engineering before deciding to specialize in petroleum engineering. Some petroleum engineers may also decide to obtain an advanced degree in order to qualify for more advanced positions. Available masters degrees in this field include a master of engineering (M.Eng) and and master of science (M.S.). Doctorates in petroleum engineering are necessary for some teaching and research positions.

On-the-Job Training

Many petroleum companies offer on-the-job training programs for entry-level engineers with a university degree in engineering. For example, Exxon Mobile recruits graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree in petroleum engineering, or another engineering specialty, and employs them as part of a team which includes professional engineers who will assist and mentor the trainee. The trainee will be given a variety of assignments in order to learn a wide range of petroleum engineering skills. Exxon also provides exam preparation and advanced training toward a qualification as a professional engineer.

Licensing

All petroleum engineers who work in the public sector, or who provide services to the public, must be licensed in order to work without direct supervision. In large companies, engineers who want to work in senior roles are also often licensed. Engineers who are licensed are called professional engineers. In order to be licensed, the petroleum engineer must have at least a bachelor's degree from a university program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, four years of work experience as an engineer and a passing score on a state engineer licensing exam. The exam may be taken in two stages, with the first exam taken immediately after university graduation and the second exam taken after work experience. After passing the first exam, the engineer is called an engineer in training or an engineer intern.

Tags: petroleum engineering, engineers also, petroleum engineers, Petroleum engineers, bachelor degree, degree petroleum

Science Riddles For Kids

Science riddles for children can be not only fun but challenging.

To promote a child's interest in science, think of creative ways to engage them. One approach to take involves using riddles--statements that have hidden meanings the children try to figure out. There are several free riddle websites online providing science riddles, and some add new riddles on an ongoing basis. All of these games are free and rarely involve downloading.

NIEHS

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Kids' Pages offers games that include riddles for children. The NIEHS is a governmental organization that conducts research in the environment and environmental health fields. On this website children can learn how their brains work and about the different parts of the brain. Riddles range from easy to difficult, and there are brainteaser quizzes to challenge young minds. Some of the games require Adobe Flash, so the site may prompt you to download this software. Once the child gives his answer, the website lets the child know whether the answer is correct. If the child's answer is incorrect, the website will provide the correct answer and an explanation.

Mindbreakers.com

This is a website for both children and adults, and it allows testing of IQ. It features puzzles and riddles for children and uses visually appealing graphics to capture a child's attention. These games generally focus on math and computer science, but there are also thinking and problem-solving games.

Braingle

Braingle offers an entire section on Science Brain Teasers, and these are submitted by both the website and users. Each riddle has a popularity and difficulty rating. Children can search for riddles by keywords and can filter riddles according to when they were submitted. This website is not only for children, but also for teenagers and adults, so children should be guided toward riddles with the lowest difficulty rating.

Scott Foresman Science

This website from Scott Foresman Science provides riddles dealing with life, physical science, the earth and the human body. Children click to choose a riddle, then choose from several answers. When they check to see whether they chose correctly, they will be given additional information about the subject.

Tags: riddles children, This website, difficulty rating, Foresman Science, Scott Foresman, Scott Foresman Science

Dinosaur Fossils Found In The U S A

Dinosaurs left their fossilized remains, which help to unlock the fascinating mysteries of their existence.

As wild and scary as it may be to imagine, dinosaurs of all types used to roam throughout the United States, with fossil findings such as the 5-foot-long ornithischian dinosaur on the East Coast, to the huge bones of the extremely long-necked diplodocus in the western U.S. During the time of the dinosaurs, scientists believe that the Western Coastal regions of the United States were covered by ocean water.

Herbivores

Gentle giants come to mind when picturing one of the largest plant-eating dinosaurs, Apatosaurus. Formerly known as the brontosaurus, the Apatosaurus weighed 24 tons. Double that weight and you have the gigantic Brachiosaurus that

scientists estimate to have eaten 450 lbs. of plant material each day. Iguanodon refers to a species of smaller vegetarian dinosaurs with front feet sprouting hoof-like appendages and one pointed horn protruding like a thumb. Fossils of these three dinosaurs have been found in the western United States.

Carnivores

The gangsters of the dinosaur realms were known as Deinonychus and are believed to have hunted in packs. Paleontologist John H. Ostrom theorizes the pack-behavior of the Deinonychus based on finds at quarries in Montana and Wyoming, where fossils of these carnivores surrounded the bones of herbivore dinosaurs. Fossils of the famous flesh-eating tyrant known as Tyrannosaurus Rex have also been found in the Western United States.

Eggs

The first discovery of fossilized dinosaur eggs in the Western Hemisphere occurred in the state of Montana in an area known as the Two Medicine Formation. Jack Horner, the curator of paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies was credited with the amazing find. He identified the eggs as from the duck-billed, plant-eating Maiasaura dinosaur. Further digging nearby at a place called Egg Mountain led to the discovery of different eggs with the embryonic remains of a small theropod dinosaur named Troodon. Theropods were carnivorous little beasts that ran on two hind legs and had tiny forelimbs.

New Dino Discovery

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico is the location where fossil hunters dug up a new dinosaur, which has been named the Daemonosaurus chauliodus, also known as evil spirit buck-toothed reptile. Sketched renderings of the dinosaur's head are reminiscent of a sharp-toothed fish with a reptilian eyeball. The fossilized head and neck bones were found by Hans-Dieter Sues, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. Daemonosaurus is thought to have been a predator, approximately five feet long at maturity.

Tags: United States, been found, have been

Soil Types In California

Perform a soil test before you plant.

There are various soil types found all over California. American Organics explains the process of soil development as a combination of environmental factors: weathered rock, volcanic ash and plant residues all combine to develop a particular soil type. Unless your soil already contains lots of organic matter, chances are you will have to amend it prior to beginning a garden. Contact your local county extension office for information on soil testing services. Does this Spark an idea?

Sandy Soils

Sandy soil requires the addition of organic matter.

Sandy soils are found near and around the mountain foothills, along rivers and streams, and in certain coastal areas. Sand is light and free draining, but has very little organic content and holds water poorly. Sandy soils will have to be amended with organic material, like compost. Its composition is 80 percent to 100 percent sand, 0 percent to 10 percent silt and 0 percent to 10 percent clay.

Loam Soils

Loam can be found in valleys and flat areas, such as flood plains surrounding rivers and streams. The term loam refers to soil with a favorable mix of sand and clay. It is relatively fertile and holds moisture well, but loam soils may require the addition of organic matter. Loam's composition is 25 percent to 50 percent sand, 30 percent to 50 percent silt and 10 percent to 30 percent clay by volume.

Clay Soils

Clay soil does not hold water well.

Clay soils are commonly found in urban areas where soil fills have been used "to establish grade in subdivisions and developments," according to Rain.org. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that because of its low mineral content, shifty clay soils contribute to high levels of shaking during earthquakes. Clay is not free draining and allows large amounts of runoff. It is also heavy and difficult to work when dry.

Tags: percent percent, organic matter, addition organic, addition organic matter, composition percent

Check A Person'S Background In The Uk

Check a Person's Background in the UK

Checking a person's background is an important step in ensuring your safety and protection. Mostly, people perform background checks on potential renters, employees and suitors. Many adoption agencies and biological parents willing to put up their children for adoption conduct background checks to ensure their children go to the right home. Using the Internet and a person's name, you can perform a background check to find all of the important information that you're looking for.

Instructions

1. Go to the website of the National Archives of U.K. This website allows people to search for other persons using their names or by browsing through categories including births, deaths, professions and electoral registration. The records contain a history of a person's employment and family background.

2. Visit the website Direct.gov. This website provides information on family histories, civil partnerships and marriages, adoptions, and births and deaths from July 1, 1837, onwards (when the civil registration started).

To obtain these records, you need to provide "general register office" index reference or sufficient information for identifying the entry. GRO index reference includes the year when the birth/death/marriage was registered, district, volume and page number. You can search these indexes for free at Birmingham Central Library, Bridgend Reference and Information Library, The British Library, City of Westminster Archives Centre, The London Metropolitan Archives, Manchester City Library and Plymouth Central Library.

Once you have sufficient information for identifying the entry, order a certificate online by going to Direct.gov (see Resources). On the website, click the respective link (for instance, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates). Click the link "Order certificate online" and follow the registration process for placing your order.

3. Check the person's police records by registering with the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau). You can only apply for a CRB check if you are an organization. CRB registration is not allowed for individuals seeking criminal checks on other people. Registering with the CRB will show you information regarding a person's current and past convictions, along with any warnings and cautions against the person recorded on the Police National Computer. This is particularly helpful for organizations that hire new employees.

To register with CRB, call at 0870 90 90 822. According to CRB website, you will be asked a couple of questions regarding the nature of your business, the types of positions to be CRB checked, how you will meet the minimum application threshold, how you and the recipients of your CRB checks intend to meet the CRB's Code of Practice, and how you intend to meet the "conditions of registration."

Once you successfully answer these preregistration questions, CRB will send you a formal registration application form. Get your organization's senior nominated person to complete the form, and submit 300 pounds (as of 2010) registration fee. After registration, you will be entitled to perform a criminal background check.

Tags: background check, background checks, births deaths, Central Library, certificate online

Identify North Georgia Rocks

Amicalola Falls State Park is in Northern Georgia.

Georgia is a highly diverse state in terms of the geology and the types of rocks found there. There are four distinct regions of the state classified by geologists. The rocks discussed in this article are to be found mostly within the Valley and Ridge and Blue Ridge geological regions -- the two most northern areas. Rock collectors and amateur petrologists may be interested in the types of rocks found in the northern portions of the state, due to the mountainous landscapes and valleys located there.

Instructions

Identifying Rocks in North Georgia

1. Study the typography and terrain of North Georgia. This will help any rock hunter understand why various types of rocks are located in this area of the state. All of the highest points of Georgia are located in the northeastern part of the state. The North Georgia mountains make up a section of the Blue Ridge mountain chain that includes Black Rock Mountain, the highest peak in the state. The northwestern region of the state is comprised of the Valley and Ridge geologic area, and many different types of rocks are found there.

2. Volcanic rocks such as this one are found in the northeastern part of Georgia.

Become knowledgeable about the types of rocks found in the Blue Ridge section. Like many other mountain ranges on the East Coast, there are large quantities of metamorphic rocks. There also are igneous rocks, such as metagranite and Gneiss, and various mafic rocks. In addition, there are various resources of marble and talc located within this region.

A substantial portion of gold was discovered in Dahlonega in the early 1800s, and a mine, and later a small mint, were established for a period of about 30 years.

3. Study the rich resources of rocks found in the Valley and Ridge geologic area. This area is located in the northeastern part of the state, and consists of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, as well as dolostone and limestone. The town of Cartersville has been found to contain barite and ochre, the latter of which normally has a golden-yellow or yellow-brown color. Several notable varieties of marble are found with the Valley and Ridge area, including blue- or black-veined Creole marble, which is located in Pickens County. Etowah marble, which appears salmon or pink in color, is mined from quarries in nearby Tate, Georgia.

Tags: rocks found, types rocks, North Georgia, types rocks found, Valley Ridge, Blue Ridge

Biological Anthropology Degrees

Anthropologists are experts in the culture and development of humans.

Anthropology is the study of human origins, physical development and cultural characteristics, divided into two major areas: biological or physical anthropology and social or cultural anthropology. Biological anthropology focuses on the past and present physical development of humans while social anthropology focuses on human culture and behavior. Degrees in this field require students to study fossils, human remains, and anatomical and genetic systems.

Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology

The bachelor's degree in anthropology provides students with general knowledge about the physical development and biological differences between humans in different cultures. Coursework includes research methods, technology, paleoanthropology (study of fossils), religious traditions and evolution. Graduates pursue careers in fieldwork, research and travel consulting.

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is the division of biological anthropology that studies human remains. A master's degree in forensic anthropology offers students advanced knowledge in osteology (bone study) and analysis of skeletal remains. Coursework includes osteology, advanced anatomy, criminology, forensic recovery procedures and techniques and training in the provision of expert testimony. Graduates of this program work for government agencies, museums and law enforcement agencies.

Paleontology

Paleontology is the subdivision of anthropology that studies fossils. A degree in paleontology provides advanced knowledge of the evolution of plants and animals through the extraction and analysis of fossilized remains. Students can focus on vertebrates, invertebrates, microfossils or the evolution of plants. Many graduates with this degree are educators in geology and paleontology at the post-secondary level.

Archaeology

Archaeology is the subdivision of anthropology that studies the general interpretation of artifacts and human remains. Specialties include biblical, historical, classic and prehistorical archaeology. Graduates with a degree in archaeology are employed by museums, educational institutions and research centers.

Tags: anthropology that, anthropology that studies, human remains, physical development, that studies, advanced knowledge

Hike At Red Rocks

Escape Sin City and head to Red Rocks Conservation Area for some hiking.

Red Rocks National Conservation Area is located about 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. The area has many different hiking opportunities for most levels of ability. Guided naturalist hiking trips, front country pathways and back country red rock hiking trails are all available at the Red Rock Area. Prepare for the dry, hot and desert conditions by packing the proper gear for your hikes.

Instructions

1. Pack a minimum of one liter per hour per person for any hike in the desert. In addition to the water, pack extra food along with your hiking lunch for the day should you end up out longer than anticipated or emergencies arise. Place a space bag, multi-tool, sun hat, long-sleeve shirt, medical kit, sunglasses, cell phone and a map and compass or GPS unit into the day pack.

2. Drive Blue Diamond Road to find the main entrance to Red Rocks. The road is used by runners, equestrians and bicyclists, so drive with caution as you head to the park area. Park at the Red Rock Association parking area and pay the parking fee. Get current hiking maps at the ranger station and find out about any closures or trail maintenance being done. Ask the rangers about any naturalist guided hikes and sign up if you desire. These trips are free and provide a good introduction to the hiking trails and natural history of the area.

3. Take the 1.2 mile Calico Tanks trail if you wish to find a modest hike. The trail takes you to natural water pools that fill when the desert area receives rainfall. Access the trail head directly from the ranger station.

4. Hike the Lost Canyon Trail if you want a long and full day hike. The trail is 20 miles long. Turn around at any point when ready to call it a day. The trail is accessed at the parking lot of the Red Rocks center. Lost Canyon Trail takes you through the largest canyon in the Red Rocks area.

5. Sign all trail registers with your name, number of hikers in the party, departure and estimated time of arrival back. Rangers use these to determine if lost hikers are in need of rescue.

Tags: Canyon Trail, Conservation Area, hike trail, hiking trails, Lost Canyon

Facts About The Planet Neptune

Facts About the Planet Neptune

Invisible without a telescope, the planet Neptune was discovered in 1846 by Johann G. Galle, director of the Urania Observatory in Berlin, Germany. Mathematics predicted its location. Because the planet Uranus was not always in its predicted position, mathematicians calculated that the gravitational pull of a more distant planet was causing the anomaly.

Basics

At 30,775 miles in diameter, Neptune is the eighth and last planet of our solar system, now that Pluto has been demoted to planetoid status. It is about 2.7 billion miles away from the Sun, has a day lasting about 16 hours and orbits once every 165 years.

Description

Named after the Roman god of the oceans because of its blue color, Neptune has no solid surface. Instead, its clouds of hydrogen, helium and methane swirl at up to 700 miles per hour around a core of liquid and rock. The planet's tilt of 28 degrees from the perpendicular produces seasonal temperature changes with cloud temperatures ranging from -240 degrees to -330 degrees Fahrenheit. A dark weather system was discovered in 1989 but had disappeared by 1994.

Satellites

The planet has 13 known satellites. The largest is Triton at 1,350 miles in diameter, which has a thin atmosphere and at -391 degrees Fahrenheit, a colder surface than any in the solar system. This moon is the only major one to orbit in a retrograde motion--that is, in a direction opposite to the rotation of the planet. The surface is believed to be a mix of rock, and methane and nitrogen ice, with volcanoes spouting plumes of liquid nitrogen, methane and dust.

Rings

Several faint rings surround the planet. The outermost ring, Adams, is about 39,000 miles from the center of Neptune and contains three prominent arcs named Liberty, Equality and Fraternity (the motto of the French revolution). The nearby moon Galatea is believed responsible for forming these structures.

Voyager 2

Much of our planetary information on Neptune comes from the Voyager 2 , which launched in 1977, flew by the planet in 1989 and is currently headed to interstellar space. The space probe passed as close as 3,000 miles to the north pole of the planet and discovered weather and surface facts of Neptune and Triton, six additional moons and three new rings. It also found that the magnetic field was strangely tilted by 47 degrees off the planet's axis and offset by half a radius from the planet's center.

Tags: About Planet, About Planet Neptune, degrees Fahrenheit, Facts About, Facts About Planet, miles diameter

Applied Linguistics Master'S Programs

Applied linguists document languages and compile dictionaries.

Applied linguistics draws on theory and research in linguistics and related disciplines to solve practical problems involving language. A master's degree in this field can lead to a career in areas as diverse as education, government, law, medicine and computer technology. Applied linguists develop methodologies for teaching a first or second language, study language disorders, create public policy on literacy and bilingualism, and work on voice recognition technology.

Boston University (BU)

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in applied linguistics at BU may specialize in neurolinguistics and language disorders, language acquisition and development, bilingualism and language teaching, language and literacy in the classroom, sign language, language structure and linguistic theory, or another area of their choice. They may work on applied projects in the community, collaborating with schools, hospitals and clinics. To apply for the program, student must have completed an introductory class in linguistics and two years of foreign language study.

Program in Applied Linguistics

Boston University

96 Cummington St., Room 246

Boston, MA 02215

617-353-6197

bu.edu

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

The Master of Arts in applied linguistics and TESL (teaching English as a second language) at UCLA prepares students for a career in research. The program offers three primary areas of specialization: language acquisition, language assessment and discourse analysis. Students may also take elective courses in the pedagogy and theory of teaching English as a second language. Prerequisites include two semesters of a foreign language and three introductory linguistics courses in phonology, general phonetics and syntax.

UCLA Applied Linguistics

3300 Rolfe Hall, Box 951531

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1531

310-825-4631

appling.ucla.edu

Georgetown University

Georgetown University offers a Master of Science with concentrations in second language pedagogy and acquisition, bilingualism and bilingual education, language assessment, endangered languages, language policy and cognitive linguistics. Students have occasion to work with scientists from other universities in the Washington, D.C., area and have access to three linguistics laboratories to conduct research. Students must become proficient in a foreign language and are recommended to take an introductory course in linguistics if unfamiliar with the subject.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Georgetown University

Box 571005

Intercultural Center, Suite 302

3700 O St. NW

Washington, DC 20057-1005

202-687-5974

grad.georgetown.edu

University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF)

The Master of Arts in applied linguistics from UAF focuses on training language teachers to work in indigenous revitalization programs and researchers to document Alaska's endangered native languages. Applicants must have a 3.0 grade average on completion of their bachelor's degree, two years of a second language at the college level, and a demonstrated interest in the areas of applied linguistics served by the university.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

P.O. Box 757500

Fairbanks, AK 99775

907-474-7211

uaf.edu

Georgia State University

Graduates with a Master of Arts in applied linguistics have acquired the theory and knowledge required to pursue a career in language education or pursue doctoral work in applied linguistics, language-teaching, or language study. All candidates acquire language teaching experience in the Atlanta area, through volunteer opportunities in the United States or overseas, or through study abroad programs. They must also complete a foreign language study requirement.

Department of Applied Linguistics & ESL

Georgia State University

P.O. Box 4099

Atlanta, GA 30302-4099

404-413-5200

gsu.edu

Tags: second language, Arts applied, Arts applied linguistics, foreign language, language study, Master Arts, Master Arts applied

Change Your College Major

Choosing the right college major may take a little time and effort because it is such a big decision to make. There are so many majors to choose from, so it is important that you select a major that fits your interests, skills and goals. Many students find themselves changing majors while in college. They may begin with one major, but later realize that they would rather pursue another career path. This is very common and it is definitely okay to change majors while you are in college. However, there are few steps you must complete in order to change your college major.

Instructions

1. Decide on the major that you want to pursue. In order to change your college major, you must first pick a new major and career path to follow. Evaluate your skills and interests and think about the different types of careers you might enjoy doing. Also, take a look at things that you‘re good at doing (such as solving math problems, fixing computers or public speaking), your strengths and your personality type and consider all of the careers that may be a good fit for you.

2. Meet with a college career counselor to discuss your career options. A career counselor can provide you with helpful information on the various occupations in the world. She can also give you career tests in order to pinpoint specific jobs that may be a good match for you.

3. Go see your academic counselor or advisor, once you have chosen your new major. You must meet with a counselor or advisor in order to discuss your new career path and to complete the change of major paperwork. Your counselor goes over all of the details with you and lets you know how longs it takes to process the change of major request.

4. Complete the necessary paperwork. You must completely fill out a change of major form and sign and date it. Your counselor may also request that you complete a new academic degree plan, which outlines the courses you need to take in order to earn a degree for that major.

5. Submit the paperwork to the appropriate office. Normally you have to submit your change of major form to the campus admissions or registrar’s office. You may also have to submit a copy of the new degree plan along with the change of major form. Your counselor lets you know where to take the paperwork, or perhaps she may submit the forms for you.

6. Confirm that your change of major request is complete. Check with your counselor to find out if your new major shows in your academic records. He can verify your new information by simply pulling up your academic records in the computer system.

Tags: change major, career path, change major form, college major, major form, that good, your academic

Fill Coolant In A Hyundai

Coolant protects your Hyundai from overheating.

Every engine requires a specific amount of engine coolant. Coolant, also called antifreeze or radiator fluid, circulates through your Hyundai's engine. This regulates the temperature and prevents the engine from reaching temperatures that could damage it. Over time, it is common for coolant to evaporate or even leak a small amount of fluid from the overflow tank. When this happens, you have to put more coolant in your Hyundai.

Instructions

1. Press the hood release latch located on the driver's side lower kick panel of your Hyundai. Secure the hood open with the hood prop.

2. Locate the coolant expansion (overflow) tank in the front, left of the engine bay. It is next to the oil dipstick, has a black cap and is tan in color.

3. Inspect the fluid level indicator on the side of the tank. Look for the "F" for full and "L" for low. Do not allow the fluid level to go above the line for full. If you do, when the engine heats up, the fluid could purge from the tank. Mix a 50/50 solution of radiator fluid and distilled water in your mixing jug. Mix enough to fill the expansion tank.

4. Open the lid for the expansion tank and drain the mixture of coolant into the expansion tank. Allow a few minutes for the fluid to drain into the radiator. Check the level of fluid in the expansion tank and add additional coolant as needed.

5. Close the lid on the expansion tank.

Tags: expansion tank, your Hyundai, fluid level, overflow tank, radiator fluid

Projects On Make A Volcano Erupt

Create your own model volcano at home and watch it erupt.

Volcanoes erupt because magma, or heated rock, weighs less than the surrounding rock and pushes through the earth's surface until it shoots out the top of the volcano, producing lava. You can create your own homemade volcano and explosion with these simple science projects.

Plastic Bottle Volcano

Recycle a 2-liter plastic soda bottle and use it as the mountain for your volcano. Stand the bottle on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch the lava. Make or buy modeling clay and build the volcano mound around the bottle--do not get clay inside the bottle. Carefully pour a few tablespoons of baking soda, a few drops of dishwashing liquid and a half cup of water into the bottle. Squeeze a couple drops of red food coloring into a half cup of vinegar to make red lava. Pour the vinegar solution into the bottle and watch your lava bubble up to the surface.

Poster Board Volcano

To make a volcano out of poster board, you'll need a sheet of poster board, a glass Snapple or comparable beverage-sized bottle, scissors paint and masking tape. Cut a small 1-inch circle in the middle of the poster board. Cut a straight line from the circle to the bottom edge of the paper. Fold into a cone shape and tape the ends to secure. Place the volcano over the glass bottle and cut the paper, so that the paper opening is as big as the bottle opening. Tape the poster board to the bottle. Paint the desired color. When you are ready for the volcano to erupt, fill the bottle 3/4 full with water. Mix in a few drops of dishwashing liquid and a few tablespoons of baking soda. Pour a 1/2 cup of vinegar last and see the immediate eruption. This is a one-time use volcano, as the poster board materials will get wet and soggy after the first eruption.

Sand Volcano

Use dirt or playground sand and water to create this realistic looking volcano. To start, place an empty soup can on foil-lined cookie sheet. Mold wet sand around the soup can to form the volcano shape, but avoid getting sand in the can. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into the can. Create the lava mixture by combining a cup of water, 3/4 cup vinegar, half cup dishwashing liquid and a few drops of red and yellow food coloring. Pour this solution into the soup can and watch your volcano erupt.

Paper Mache Volcano

Practice your paper mache skills with this fun homemade volcano idea. Tape an empty 2-liter drink bottle to a flat piece of foil-covered cardboard. Tear several long strips of newspaper and make your paper mache solution (by mixing white glue with water). Dip the paper strips into the glue and apply directly onto the bottle, starting from the neck, down to the surface. Crumple up newspapers and place them around the bottle, so you can create a more realistic volcano shape. Continue applying the strips until you have your volcano. Let dry for 24 hours. Paint the volcano the desired colors. Let the paint dry completely. To make lava, fill the bottle halfway with warm water and mix in a few drops of dishwashing liquid, food coloring and about 1/4 cup baking soda. The lava will erupt as soon as you pour in 3/4 cup vinegar.

Tags: poster board, baking soda, dishwashing liquid, drops dishwashing, drops dishwashing liquid, food coloring

Find The Relative Age Of Rocks

Horizontal rock layers are stacked by age with the oldest on the bottom.

Geologists determine the relative age of a rock by examining the nearby rocks, minerals or rock inclusions, index fossils and the original position of the rock layers. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first person to evaluate the relative age of rocks was James Hutton, a geologist from Scotland, in the late 1700's. When geologists discuss relative age, they do not involve methods which determine the absolute age of a sample, such as carbon dating. A relative age determination for an area will tell you which rock layers formed first, second and so forth.

Instructions

1. Evaluate the formation and determine if the rock layers are in their original position or if they are deformed. Folding is an example of deformation. For areas showing deformation, draw the original layered formation on a sketch pad or field notebook. Sediment layers form horizontally at the time of deposition. For example, if the rocks are in a "U" shape, sketch the layers with the ends as if they were horizontal.

2. Label the sketched horizontal layers as oldest on the bottom to youngest on the top. This "law of superposition" gives you the relative age of each layer with respect to the other layers in the formation. The law of superposition says that in horizontal layers, the oldest layers are on the bottom.

3. Evaluate the rock formation for evidence of dikes. Igneous rocks may form dikes when magma fills a crack in previously-existing rock layers, cools, and forms an igneous rock layer at an angle to the original horizontal layers in the area. The dike is younger than the rock layers that it intersects.

4. Examine the rock layers for rock and mineral inclusions. Inclusions are rock or mineral pieces embedded in a rock layer that did not originate from that location. The included pieces are older than the surrounding rock. For example, granite inclusions embedded within a layer of sandstone are older than the sandstone. Granite did not form in the sandstone, because granite is an igneous rock and sandstone is a sedimentary rock.

5. A trilobite is a common index fossil.

Identify index fossils found in the rock layers. Index fossils are fossils of animals or plants which lived during a specific time period. Index fossils appear as an impression on the rock surface or as an inclusion of animal or plant parts. The USGS website provides sketches and approximate ages of 24 common index fossils. Once you identify the fossil, you can determine the relative age of the rock.

Tags: rock layers, horizontal layers, common index, determine relative, determine relative rock

Create A Lego Mountain

Create a LEGO Mountain

If you're making a base for your LEGO castle creation, trying to put a nice backdrop behind a train set, or even recreating a scene from Star Wars in LEGO bricks, you may want to put the whole thing on top of a mountain. Mountains are breathtaking landforms that lose little in the translation to tiny plastic bricks-if done well. An impressive mountain range made entirely of LEGO construction toys can be perfect, provided you lay the groundwork correctly.

Instructions

1. Plan out the mountain. Measure the model you're working on, if applicable, then determine how tall the mountain needs to be in comparison. Decide on your goal height, then start planning the base. You need a base wide enough to accommodate the mountain growing on top of it.

2. Separate out a large number of LEGO bricks that are gray, green, black and white from the rest of your collection. Choose mostly gray and white bricks if you want to make a snow-covered mountain. If you can find sloping or angled bricks in those colors, they will also come in handy. Use these bricks to cover the outside of your mountain; build the inner structure out of any color you happen to have left.

3. Set up the foundation. Build, either on a flat surface or on a collection of LEGO base plates, a wide and flat base for the mountain one-brick thick. Few mountains in the world are perfectly round, so make the mountain base fairly rugged-looking. Offset neighboring bricks by one stud to create curves, and interrupt smooth areas with a sudden jutting brick.

4. Build another layer of the mountain. Offset this next row by two to five studs, varying to add a level of natural ruggedness to the mountain. Follow the contours of the base layer, but only slightly.

5. Repeat Step 4 as many times as it takes to reach the summit. From the bird's eye angle, each new layer should look like a line on a topographical map.

6. Cover the outside of the mountain in the mountain exterior pieces you set aside earlier. Conceal any brightly colored bricks.

Tags: bricks want, LEGO bricks

How Craters Form On Rocky Planets

The surface of Earth's moon is covered with craters.

Rocky planets like Earth and Mars all have craters on their surfaces. Against the barren landscape of a planet like Mars, these craters are obvious; on Earth, they can be harder to see. Such craters can result from the impact of a meteoroid, comet or asteroid, or from a volcanic explosion within the planet itself.

Collapse Calderas

A collapse caldera is a form of volcanic crater. It occurs when a volcanic eruption releases so much material and magma that a void forms beneath the volcano. The volcano then collapses in on itself, creating a large depression. One such crater formed almost 8,000 years ago in what is now Oregon, when Mount Mazama exploded. The resulting collapse caldera had a five-mile diameter, and was one mile deep. Today, this caldera is known as Crater Lake.

Explosive Calderas

As their name implies, explosive calderas result from massive volcanic explosions. These explosions can occur when silica-rich magma beneath a volcano traps large bubbles of superheated gas. As this magma rises to the surface, the resulting pressure change causes the gas to expand. The pressure generated by this rapid expansion can blow up an entire volcano, leaving nothing but a crater.

Simple Impact Craters

A simple crater, or pit crater, is usually just a few miles across, and comprises a smooth, bowl-like shape with debris distributed around the crater's rim. These are the smallest impact craters, and generally result from the least powerful impacts.

Peak Craters

Peak craters typically result from larger impacts. Behaving like water, the impacted crust rebounds upward, while the debris from the sides of the crater runs back toward the center of the depression. This causes a central peak to form. In peak-ring craters, a central peak also forms; however, it grows so high that it can't support itself and collapses outward, forming a ring of smaller peaks near the middle of the crater.

Multi-Ring Impact Basins

The most powerful planetary impacts cause waves to spread outward across the planet's crust, like the ripples that form when you drop a pebble into water. The waves cause ruptures that produce a terrace-like series of concentric rings. These impact basins may extend for hundreds of miles.

Tags: result from, beneath volcano, central peak, collapse caldera

Calculate Superposition Theorem

The superposition theorem is used in theoretical circuit analyis.

Linear electrical circuit analysis is simplified by the application of various rules and theorems. Providing the foundation to the other theorems and insight into the behavior of a circuit is the Superposition Theorem. This theorem yields a particular linear response, such as the voltage or current in a linear circuit, by requiring the algebraic summing of the individual responses arising from sources viewed independently. In practice, this means that a linear response in the circuit is calculated using only one source at a time and those results are added to give the overall linear response from all the sources.

Instructions

1. Check that the circuit schematic you are analyzing has multiple independent voltage or current sources connected in series or parallel. For example, a simple series circuit with one resistor R1 and two batteries, V1 and V2, qualifies as having multiple independent sources (V1 and V2) and will benefit from analysis using the application of the Superposition Theorem.

2. Identify all the sources (for example, batteries) in the circuit and label these, if these sources are not already labeled in the circuit diagram. For example, use V1, V2 and V3 if there are three batteries in the circuit.

3. Calculate the potential difference over, and the current through, each resistor in the circuit with the contribution of only one independent source. For example, in the simple series circuit with only one resistor R1, and sources V1 and V2, keep V1 as part of the circuit and remove the influence of V2 by shorting it out. Label the current flowing through the resistor as I1. The potential difference over R1 is then V1 = R1 x I1. The current through the resistor I1 = V1/R1. Typically, all the voltage sources not being used are replaced by short circuits and all current sources are replaced by open circuits.

4. Continue this procedure by changing the source that remains active and eliminating the influence of all other sources in the circuit. For example, in the simple series circuit with only one resistor R1, and sources V1 and V2, retain V2 as part of the circuit and remove the influence of V1. The current flowing through R1 is now I2, and I2 = V2/R1.

5. Apply the Superposition Theorem to obtain the total current flowing through the resistor. The total current flowing through the resistor is the sum of the individual currents flowing through the resistor. For example, in the simple series circuit with components R1, V1 and V2, the total current flowing through the resistor R1 is I(total) = I1 + I2 = V1/R1 + V2/R1 = (V1 + V2)/R1.

Tags: flowing through, through resistor, circuit with, current flowing, current flowing through

Scholarships Available In West Texas

There are numerous scholarship programs available to students in the region of west Texas. Some are offered by community foundations and available only to students in specific areas of west Texas. Others are offered by professional organizations and limited to students pursuing degrees in certain fields of study. Other scholarships are available to west Texas students through contests or through institutions located in the region.

Professional Organization Scholarships

Several professional organizations within the region offer scholarships to students pursuing careers within specific disciplines. One is the West Texas Geographical Society, which makes scholarships of $1,500 available to geology majors who graduated from Permian Basin high schools. Another is the West Texas Speech Association, which offers the Noyce Burleson Memorial Scholarship to west Texas high school seniors planning to pursue careers related to communications. The Miriam Curry Scholarship is available from the West Texas Dietetic Association.

Contests

Some scholarships available to west Texas students are competitive. For example, the Hart-Missasi Scholarship, which provides $300 for the purchase of textbooks, is available through the West Texas Talent Search. Contestants must be high school students enrolled in at least two of the following four classes: drama, acting, music or English.

The American Collectors Association of Texas makes scholarship support of $500 available to west Texas students through its annual scholarship competition.

Community Foundations

Several regional community foundations offer scholarships to west Texas students who are residents of specific counties. For example, the Lubbock Area Foundation offers numerous programs, including the Weldon and Ruth Gibbs Scholarship and the Madeline Hegi Scholarship. The Community Foundation of Abilene awards over $100,000 in scholarships to area students each year. Another example is the El Paso Community Foundation, which offers a variety of annual scholarships to El Paso area high school students.

School Scholarships

Area colleges and universities are another great source for scholarship support in western Texas. Most institutions offer scholarships to attending students. For example, West Texas A&M University has an average of $1,200 worth of annual scholarship support to each attending student. Scholarships are awarded to incoming, continuing, transfer and graduate students at the institution. Institutional scholarships are awarded on the basis of both financial need and academic achievement, and individual departments also offer scholarships to students studying specific disciplines.

Tags: offer scholarships, Texas students, west Texas, west Texas students, high school, scholarship support

Use A Bachelor Of Science Degree

Many science students become doctors.

A Bachelor of Science differs from a Bachelor of Arts in that it places more emphasis on applied knowledge. This four-year program generally covers a technical field that requires certain prerequisites and a specific path toward fulfillment of the degree. Whether you studied math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy or other sciences, you can find a career path that suits your personal skills and takes advantage of your scientific knowledge.

Instructions

1. Use your degree to enter or start in the medical field. Become a surgeon, nurse, ER doctor, anesthesiologist or psychiatrist to treat and ameliorate a variety of ailments.

2. Perform research at a laboratory. You could investigate cures for diseases, study the global climate, stumble upon a new invention or modify the genetics of crops to generate more food. Many corporations, such as drug companies and car manufacturers, need researchers to develop new products and analyze their performance. A Bachelor of Science degree is a good starting level of education for any of these fields.

3. Become an engineer and design a variety of objects, such as infrastructure, space shuttles, buildings, medical devices, cars, software, ships or nuclear power plants. You can use both your technical knowledge and your creativity to improve the safety, function and aesthetics of your society.

4. Help crime labs solve mysteries. Analyze DNA to convict criminals, assess the bodies of victims to determine the cause of death, or lend your knowledge of botany, geology or chemistry to provide clues in an investigation.

5. Pass your knowledge of science on to a new generation as a teacher or professor.

Tags: Bachelor Science, your knowledge

Become An Oil Well Firefighter

Oil well firefighting is a challenging yet rewarding job.

Many little boys dream of becoming firefighters when they grow up, and if they grow up in Texas, they may even dream about becoming oil well firefighters. Oil well fires are rare, so oil well firefighting is not as common as regular firefighting. But when oil wells blow out, the consequences can be severe and putting the resulting fires out can be immensely challenging.

Instructions

Research Oil Well Firefighting

1. Decide if you are ready to become an oil well firefighter by researching the oil field industry. Read the biography of the late Paul Neal "Red" Adair, the most famous oil well firefighter. Two other suggested readings about the oil industry are "The Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Exploration, Drilling and Production," and "A Primer of Oil Well Drilling."

2. Choose if you want to work on a land or offshore oil rig, then research the different oil field companies and decide which one you'd like to work for as an oil well firefighter. Find out as much as you can about your chosen company, including required experience, salary and benefits. Filling yourself with knowledge about the company will help you in your quest to become an oil well firefighter.

3. Plan on moving if you don't already live in a an oil-drilling state such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico or Alaska. Once you gain more experience as an oil well firefighter, you can even start looking for work overseas. If you don't want to leave your home state, and it's not near an oil field, then oil well firefighting may not be for you.

Become an Educated Firefighter

4. Apply to a firefighting academy, such as the Recruit Fire Training Academy at the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station, Texas. You will have to attend a regular firefighting school since there is not an actual oil well firefighting academy.

5. Enroll in the 12-week training program and excel in all the hands-on and classroom exercises. Be sure to take the specialized courses TEEX offers in hazardous materials, industrial firefighting and oil spill response.

6. Graduate from TEEX and start searching for a job as an oil well firefighter.

Find an Oil Well Firefighter Job

7. Call the oilfield company you'd like to work for to inquire about an open position as an oil well firefighter. If there aren't any vacancies, continue your job search until an opening occurs.

8. Search your local newspaper or the online version of your local newspaper for an oil well firefighting position. If you don't find any openings in the classified section, don't get discouraged.

9. Pick up the phone and call around to different oil field companies to inquire about vacancies. If there isn't an opening for an oil well firefighter, you may consider accepting an entry-level position to get your foot in the door.

Tags: well firefighter, well firefighting, well firefighter, become well firefighter, different field, different field companies, field companies

Correspondence Schools For Gunsmiths

Gunsmiths need to be able to work on a variety of weapons.

As a gunsmith, you can combine a passion for guns with an enjoyable and profitable career designing, repairing or making weapons. You can learn to become a gunsmith through many different avenues. One convenient option that will allow you to work at your own pace and from your own home is to enroll in a correspondence school.

Penn Foster Career School

The Penn Foster Career School bills itself as the oldest and largest distance learning institution in the world and has more than 60 programs of study. The school is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. The gunsmith program can be completed in as little as nine months. Students study repair and customize guns, fit and finish gun stocks, mount sights, restore antique weapons, design and install sights and custom-load ammunition.

Penn Foster Career School

925 Oak St.

Scranton, PA 18515

877-415-4141

pennfoster.edu

Ashworth College

Ashworth College offers more than 75 programs, including gunsmithing. Ashworth is an accredited member of the Distance Education and Training Council and as such, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Gunsmithing students learn to clean and service, repair and recondition pistols, rifles and shotguns.

Ashworth College

430 Technology Parkway

Norcross, GA 30092

888-230-4013

ashworthcollege.edu

Foley-Belsaw Institute

Foley-Belsaw Institute is certified by the State of Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and has been in operation since 1926. Foley-Belsaw offers a gunsmithing program that can be completed in a few weeks. The institute says all of its correspondent material is fully illustrated with graphics and photos that "make mastering the art of gunsmithing a simple and fun process." Students receive all necessary tools and materials to start a gunsmith shop.

Foley-Belsaw Institute

6300 Equitable Road

Kansas City, MO 64120-1395

800-821-3452

foley-belsaw.com

Tags: Ashworth College, Career School, Foley-Belsaw Institute, Foster Career, Foster Career School, Penn Foster, Penn Foster Career

Calculate Planetary Positions

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion help us calculate the position of stars.

The positions of planets are calculated using a series of algorithms (mathematical formulas) based upon Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion. Johannes Kepler was a mathematician and astronomer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He developed three laws based upon his belief that the planets revolved around the sun. These laws help scientists, teachers, students and anyone with an interest in astronomy calculate the positions of the planets in relation to the sun and Earth.

Instructions

Calculating Planetary Positions

1. The position of the planet in relation to the sun is known as heliocentric.

Calculate the ecliptic longitude and latitude of the planet. After choosing your planet, you must formulate its ecliptic position in relation to the sun. For this you will need to calculate the semi-major axis of the planet's orbit, distance from the sun to the planet, point of closest passage to the sun, and angle of the planet in relation to its point of closest passage to the sun. You will use astronomical units to determine distance and time measured in years. This calculation is the heliocentric (sun-centered) position of the planet.

2. The celestial equator is elliptical and coordinates are based on different variables.

Convert the heliocentric position into a geocentric position. Continuing to use algorithms set forth by Kepler's Laws, you must determine the position of the planet in relation to Earth. This is the planet's geocentric position. Formulation of this position will provide you with the ecliptic coordinates of the planet in relation to Earth.

3. Coordinates must be remapped because planetary positioning changes every day.

Determine the equatorial coordinates through converting ecliptic coordinates. On Earth, we use equatorial coordinates to determine position of locations on the planet. The equator is used to determine longitude and latitude. Determining the location of a planet, in relation to Earth, requires using the celestial equator, which has a right ascension and declination. Use Greenwich Mean Time when calculating these coordinates, as set forth in Kepler's Laws. Determine where the right ascension of the planet meets with the ecliptic. This formulation will provide you with the planet's position in relation to Earth. Your coordinates will not be exact, but providing you complete the equations correctly, you will calculate the position within a few minutes of accuracy.

Tags: planet relation, relation Earth, Kepler Laws, planet relation Earth, position planet, based upon

Study Satellite Images For Weather

Study Satellite Images for Weather

Studying a satellite images for weather means understanding satellite types and their properties. GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) and other satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 22,000 miles above the equator once every 24 hours. These satellites function by keeping pace exactly with the Earth's rotation. Because of the satellites synching with the earth's rotation, these satellites appear fixed above the same locations on Earth all day. Each geostationary satellite records several images every hour.

Instructions

1. Understand read infrared satellites. Look up a current satellite weather map on The Weather Channel (weather.com) or via the National Weather Service (noaa.gov). The colored images you see floating across the map are infrared (IR) satellite images. Stationary satellites record long-wave infrared radiation with wavelengths in the atmosphere emitted by cloud tops, land masses, oceans, ice and snow. Most things on Earth emit long-wave infrared radiation (warmer objects emit more than colder ones. Hence, the relative amounts of infrared radiation emitted by cloud tops, land, oceans and snow/ice give information about their relative temperatures.

2. Recognize visible satellite images. Visible satellites produce images humans can see with the naked eye. These satellites record visible light, sunlight that is reflected by clouds, land, oceans or snow and ice and into the satellite camera. Because visible image satellite record reflected light rather than emitted radiation, they tell how reflective an object is but do not indicate temperature. This type of satellite is useful for tracking a storm like a hurricane but not indicating its intensity or the temperature of the swirling cloud formation.

3. Learn where satellite images come from and how they can change. Satellites send images to the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in Washington, D.C. The images depict recorded infrared radiation (long waves) emitted from clouds, land, oceans, ice and snow.

4. Look for warm areas. Warm areas show up in black. Also, the darkest parts of the satellite image depict land or ocean surfaces, which are usually warmer.

5. Recognize cold areas. Cold areas show up as white. Objects (clouds, land and oceans) with intermediate temperatures show up in gray shades. The lightest parts of an infra-red image show high, cold clouds. For example, the tops of high, towering clouds are usually colder than land or oceans that would show up as "warm" and dark.

6. Compare infrared and visible images. Search the image for visible images like high and low clouds. These objects often appear equally bright because all clouds have similar reflective properties. Scan the image for fog images: fog and low clouds are often easy to see on visible images-they reflect much more light than oceans or land surfaces. Infrared images are more difficult to pick out on a map; fog and low clouds are often hard to distinguish from land or ocean areas because these features often all have similar temperatures. Choose a weather pattern to study-fog, snow, rain clouds. Follow its activity, noting temperature or visibility change. Note that visible satellite images can only track in the daytime, when the objects are visible. Infrared satellites, however, never stop emitting and picking up long-wave radiation and can track weather conditions day or night via temperatures.

Tags: land oceans, satellite images, infrared radiation, oceans snow, clouds land, clouds land oceans

Calculate Mole Fractions Using Mass Percent

According to basic definitions, a solute (e.g. sodium chloride) dissolves in solvent (e.g. water) to make a solution. Concentration indicates how much of a compound (solute) is dissolved in the solution, and can be expressed in multiple ways. Mole fraction refers to the ratio between number of moles of solute and the total number of moles in a solution. As an example, consider calculation of mole fractions in the solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in water (H2O) if NaOH mass percent equals to 10.

Instructions

1. Calculate molecular mass (M) of all compounds (including solvent) that compose the solution. Generally, for a compound with chemical formula AnBm:

Molecular mass (M) = n x M(A) + m x M(B), where M(A) or M(B) are atomic weights of the corresponding elements, which can be taken from the periodic table of the chemical elements.

In our example

M(NaOH)=M(Na)+M(O)+M(H)=23+16+1=40 g/mole.

M(H2O)=2xM(H)+M(O)=2 x 1+16=18 g/mole.

2. Calculate masses of solute and solvent in the solution. Mass percent (solute)=100percent x[mass(solute)/(mass(solution)). Abbreviate mass(solution) as "m" for simplicity and obtain: mass(solute)= m x [mass percent (solute)/100percent], and mass(solvent)= m-mass(solute).

In our example:

mass(NaOH)=m x [10 percent/100 percent]= 0.10m

mass(H2O)=m-0.1m=0.9m.

3. Calculate amount of solute and solvent in Moles: amount =mass/molecular mass (mole)

In our example:

amount (NaOH)=0.1m/40 (mole)=0.0025m (mole)

amount(H2O)=0.90m/18 (mole)=0.05m (mole)

4. Calculate mole fractions. The mole fraction of the component X of the solution is

Mole fraction (X)=amount(X)/[Total amount (sum) of all components]

In our example, NaOH and H2O are only two components i.e.

Mole fraction(NaOH)=0.0025m/(0.0025m+0.05m)= 0.0025/0.0525=0.048

Mole fraction(H2O)=0.05m/(0.0025m+0.05m)= 0.05/0.0525=0.952

Tags: Mole fraction, 100percent mass, example NaOH, mass percent, mass solute, mass solute mass, mass solution

Use A Timeline In The Classroom

Timelines are a very useful learning tool. They can be written or illustrated, can document any event and will keep children's attention much easier than a book or document. They are also useful for revision purposes, allowing children to refresh their knowledge fast, and they are both easy and fun to create.

Instructions

1. Choose on what you want to do your timeline. You could choose a current topic, an upcoming topic or something such as your school year, featuring holidays and terms. Other ideas are documenting the important events in a battle or in somebody's life.

2. Do research as a class. Split the class into groups and give each group a different resource. For example, one group could use the Internet while another uses an encyclopedia, newspapers or textbooks.

3. Ask each group to write down any relevant information they find, and set a time that the researching will end. Monitor each group to check that they are staying on-topic, but try not to influence the researching too much, as each child will learn valuable researching skills.

4. Give each group five minutes to present the information they found. Write down all the information, even if some of it cannot be used on the timeline.

5. Sort through the information together, deciding which information can be used and which can't. Ensure the students know why the information is usable or not, as this will help them to make their own timelines later.

6. Decide what scale the timeline should be. Consider where you will put it. For example, if you choose to have an inch for each day of the school year, each month will be two to three feet.

7. Plot the important information along the timeline. For a school timeline, mark holidays and breaks. Put down any trips you have planned, or days of interest. You could also add the students' birthdays and any important anniversaries. For a timeline of a war, add the start date, end date, any ceasefires and any important dates, such as the start and end of individual battles.

8. Add images to the timeline. For the school year, you could add a relevant image for each month, such as a snowman for January, a heart for February and a shamrock for March. For a battle, you could add photos of the place, or pictures of weapons or technology such as cannons.

9. Display the timeline somewhere visible. You may want to add a movable marker to show the students how far through the year you are, or how far through a topic you are.

Tags: each group, school year, each month, information they, timeline school

What Is An Oceanographer'S Job

Oceanographers study oceans and other coastal waters.

Oceanographers are scientists who study oceans, coastal waters and other large bodies of water. Because the study of oceanography is so vast, oceanographers specialize in different disciplines, such as chemical or geological oceanography, which allows them to concentrate on one particular part of oceanographic analysis. Oceanography can be a rewarding career for those with a scientific mind and an interest in how water and marine life affects the human population.

Oceanography

Oceanographers study and analyze oceans, sea water and the atmosphere. Oceanographers are researchers; however, many people who study oceanography become teachers or professors. By combining their scientific background with a strong knowledge of underwater life and topography, oceanographers work to solve environmental problems, understand climate change and even work to find renewable sources of energy. Continuous exploration of oceanic elements also follow how water and sea life change over time and the effect on the surrounding land.

Fields of Study

Because the study of water and marine life is so varied, oceanographers specialize in several fields, each with its own specific focus. Geological oceanographers study the sea floor, its topography and sediments and how it changes over time. Chemical oceanographers study elements found in the ocean and seawater, including pollutants, and natural chemicals. Oceanographers who study tides, waves and currents specialize in physical oceanography, which also focuses on climate and weather. Finally, biological oceanography is the study of underwater life and how various living creatures in the ocean relate to one another.

Educational and Skill Requirements

Due to an emphasis on science and research, those who wish to pursue a career in oceanography require a higher education. At the minimum, oceanographers must have a Master of Science degree, but for more technical or highly specialized fields, a doctorate may be necessary. Oceanographers also possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and must have the ability to understand structured theoretical concepts and theories.

Communication and flexibility are also a plus as oceanographers generally work on teams and frequently travel to various locations.

Salary and Job Outlook

The salary of an oceanographer varies, depending on education, experience and field of study. As of May 2010, the annual oceanographer salary ranged from $43,820 to $160,910,

according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual salary of $82,500. Because of the need for water and land management and environmental protection, the employment outlook is high for oceanographers and other geoscientists with an employment growth of 18 percent through 2018.

Tags: Because study, coastal waters, marine life, must have, oceanographers specialize, oceanographers study, Oceanographers study