Garmin has a variety of GPS which can be used with UTM coordinates also.
UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator, is the main coordinate system used on Geological Survey topographic maps of the United States. It is similar to latitude and longitude except that the distances are measured in meters on a specific grid system. UTMs can be programmed into most Garmin models such as the Oregon and eTrex to help with orienteering and other outdoor activities.
Instructions
1. Turn on your Garmin. Select from Setup from the main menu and choose Position format. Select "Position Format UTM UPS."
2. Replace the latitude and longitude locations set by pressing the box called "Location" on the upper left of the screen.
3. Choose the option "Location (Selected)" instead of the "Location (Lat/Long)" box.
4. Click to save if you wish to keep the same location and simply convert the existing waypoint coordinates to UTM. Enter your UTM coordinates manually if you wish to change the waypoint.
5. Click "Save" to keep the new waypoint and name it something you will remember.
6. Check the "Waypoint Manager" to find the coordinates you have just input. Make sure the coordinates are in UTM format.
Quality gemstones can be found in mines throughout North Carolina.
North Carolina is the home of popular gem mines that attract visitors who have the hope of finding a gemstone of their own. Several counties in the state have mines where visitors can pay to search for gemstones. According to the North Carolina Geology Survey, Mitchell County has quality deposits of beryl, aquamarine and emeralds while Alexander County has nice specimens of emerald and hiddenite. Macon County is a popular mining territory for rubies and sapphires while other counties throughout the state have mines with abundant gemstone specimens.
Instructions
1. Choose a mine that is open to the public for gem mining and allows the type of activities that you would like to perform. Mines will either sell you a bucket of sediment or will allow you to dig in the mine or nearby streams to fill an empty bucket. Lists of gem mines are available from the North Carolina Geological Survey, local Chamber of Commerce offices, and North Carolina rock and mineral clubs.
2. Purchase or dig your bucket of sediment from the mine. Take the bucket to the sluicing area at the mine, which is where you will wash your material.
3. Wash the bucket of sediments in the sluicing area using a sieve and water. The mines typically provide all the equipment for sluicing. To wash the sediment, place some of the material from your bucket on to the sieve. Lower the sieve into the water and shake it gently to wash away the dirt. Gemstones will not pass through the sieve and will remain in the sieve after the dirt is gone. Repeat the process until all the material in the bucket is washed.
4. Examine the stones left in the sieve to determine if they are gemstones. If you are unsure if the materials that you found are gemstones, ask an employee of the mine to help you identify your specimens. Gemstones can range in color, size and shape and rarely look in nature as they do in a jewelry store.
5. Collect your gemstones in a plastic bag or separate bucket and take them home from your day at the mine.
Tags: North Carolina, bucket sediment, from your, have mines, sluicing area, state have
Seismic gaps occur along fault lines and plate boundaries.
The term seismic gap is applied to areas along fault lines where no earthquakes have occurred for some time. Because fault lines move at an average pace every year, earthquakes are usually distributed evenly along them. When there is a gap in seismic activity, pressure builds up and a seismic gap forms. Seismic gaps are places where larger earthquakes are expected to occur, depending on how much pressure has built up over time.
Stillwater, Nevada
According to the Seismological Society of America, there is a 40-kilometer seismic gap in Nevada along the central Nevada/eastern California seismic belt. This gap was recorded during 1915 and 1949 earthquakes that were aligned except for the gap. This gap is now referred to as the Stillwater seismic gap. Because there is no history of severe seismic activity in this area and other gaps of similar size have been found nearby, the Stillwater gap is not considered a big threat. However, should an earthquake of large magnitude occur, the Stillwater gap would likely cause significant damage.
Yakataga Bay, Alaska
In 1979, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit St. Elias, Alaska and drew attention to a gap that was mostly left undisturbed. According to the American Geophysical Union, this 40- to 60-kilometer gap was thoroughly surveyed during the 1980s. The gap occurs at the meeting of the North American plate and the Yakutat Block. Since its discovery, it has been named the Yakataga seismic gap. According to John Lahr and George Plafker from the science journal "Geology," if a 3.5 earthquake were to hit the region the Yakataga gap, it would likely produce shifts of a magnitude 8.
Hawaii
There are two notable seismic gaps in the Hawaiian Islands. One is called the south Kuna gap and the other is called the east Kuna gap. Earthquakes that occurred in 1951 and 1968 defined these seismic gaps. Geologists of the Seismological Society of America expect more earthquakes to fill in these gaps. The south Kuna gap may see rumbles of up to 7.9 in magnitude, while the eastern gap may produce thrusts of up to 6.9. There have been no main shocks in this area since 1932, which makes these gaps a significant threat.
Loma Prieta, California
The San Andreas Fault is one of the most famous areas for earthquakes in the United States. Loma Prieta, on the San Francisco peninsula, sits on top of a seismic gap that runs from Parkfield to San Francisco along the fault line. This gap was surveyed throughout the 1970s and defined by the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. According to researchers at Stanford University, this gap has a history of breaking every 22 years on the nose. It was expected to happen during the mid 1980s and since that time it has been building pressure.
Tags: along fault, fault lines, Loma Prieta, along fault lines, during 1980s, have been
Windows Live Movie Maker helps you edit digital video on your PC.
Windows Live Movie Maker comes pre-installed on computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7. This software provides tools for video capturing, editing and sharing. You can import photos, videos and MP3 sound effects into the program for customized projects. (see Reference 1) The Windows Live Movie Maker timeline is different than the old timeline in Windows Movie Maker, the program's predecessor. If you're new to Windows Live Movie Maker, learning the updated timeline feature only takes a few minutes of practice.
Instructions
1. Open Windows Live Movie Maker.
2. Click on the "Movie Maker" icon at the top left side of the screen.
3. Click "Import for Device" to inset a file from your digital camera. (see Reference 2) Add files stored on your hard drive by right-clicking on the white space to the right of the main window, selecting "Add Videos and Photos." (see Reference 3) Repeat for each film segment that you want to add to the timeline for editing.
4. Click and drag video stills on the right side of the screen. These screenshots do not appear on an ordered, numbered timeline as in Windows Movie Maker, rather these screenshots are the timeline in Windows Live. The timeline is visual-based, and you can move each element to a different place in the timeline by dragging it before or after adjacent timetime elements from within the right- task pane. Click around on the elements to get a feel for the new Windows Live timeline, as it is visually different from Microsoft's traditional Movie Maker timeline.
5. Right-click on any video elements that you want to further edit after they are moved to the right position in the timeline.
6. Select "Set Start Point" or "Set End Point" to cut off pieces of the segment for easier use in the timeline. Selecting "Split" will cut the segment at your cursor, letting you drag each timeline piece individually. (see Reference 4)
Tags: Movie Maker, Windows Live, Live Movie, Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Movie, timeline Windows
There's lots to see during your motorcoach tour of the Grand Teton range.
Few views are more impressive than the 13,770-foot Grand Teton mountain range. The range, actually a part of the Rocky mountains, was formed with a series of earthquakes, with the valley known as Jackson Hole carved out in the middle. The mountains were created with no foothills. Large lakes throughout the area mirror the mountains. In Grand Teton National Park, it is possible to see evidence of dynamic geology that has taken place over millions of years. Motorcoach tours offer carefree transportation where travelers can focus on seeing the sights while someone else handles the driving.
Starline Tours
Starline Tours offers three extended motorcoach tours that include Grand Teton National Park. The 10-day tour begins in Salt Lake City and winds through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks as well as Mammoth Hot Springs, Mount Rushmore and other interesting and historical sights. The 13-day and 15-day tours include all destinations in the 10-day tour and add Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah and Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Both the 13-day and the 15-day tours end in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Starline Tours
Los Angeles, California
800-959-3131
starlinetours.com
Tauck Tours
Tauck Tours offers a week-long Yellowstone National Park tour by motorcoach that also includes Grand Teton National Park; Cody, Wyoming; Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse memorial. While in the Grand Tetons, the tour enables travelers to participate in a park ranger volunteer project.
Tauck World Discovery
10 Norden Place
Norwalk, CT 06855
800-788-7885
tauck.com
Pure West
Pure West tours offers a seven-day, six-night motorcoach tour that begins in Salt Lake City and tours Grand Teton National Park as well as Yellowstone National Park. Guests spend one night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming before staying two nights in the Yellowstone area. The tour ends in Spokane, Washington.
Pure West Adventures
SJO 4032 11010 Northwest 30th Street
Suite 104
Miami , Florida 33172-5032
928-774-3886
purewest.com
Grand Teton Lodges
Grand Teton Lodges offers a half-day motorcoach tour that encompasses the Jenny Lake Overlook, Chapel of Transfiguration and Oxbow Bend. The tour takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Special pricing is available for children through age 11.
Grand Teton Lodges
101 Jackson Lake Lodge Road
Moran, Wyoming 83013
800-628 9988
gtlc.com
Gray Line
Gray Line of Jackson Hole offers a full-day motorcoach tour for adults and children ages 8 and over. The tour, which winds along the Snake River, highlights the Chapel of Transfiguration, Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, the Colter Bay Indian Arts Museum and historic cabins. Gray Lines does not allow children under the age of 8 to participate in their tours.
Gray Line of Jackson Hole
1580 W. Martin Lane
Jackson, WY 83001
800-443-6133
graylinejh.com
VIP Adventures
VIP Adventure Travel offers custom tours of the traveler's design. Clients can book a half-day tour, a whole-day tour or a tour that spans several days. VIP also provides a standard half-day our, which includes Antelope Flats, Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend, Moose visitor center and Snake River overlook.
VIP Adventure Travel
P.O. Box 12084
Jackson, WY 83002
307-699-1077
vipadventuretravel.com
Tags: Grand Teton, National Park, Grand Teton National, Jackson Hole, motorcoach tour
True hematite is believed to have many spiritual properties.
Hematite is a gray black, metallic mineral compound that produces a red brown dust when scraped. It is this dust that gives the stone its name, which derives from "haima," the ancient Greek word for blood. True hematite -- unlike its artificial, magnetic counterpart, which can interfere with heart pacemakers -- is non-magnetic and reputedly offers many benefits to the body, such as aiding circulation, purifying the blood and benefiting sleep. Some people also credit it with many spiritual properties.
Grounding
Hematite is associated with the base, or root, chakra, which is linked to the physical world and the earth. Chakras are psychic energy centers through which energies enter and leave the body. Hematite helps to anchor and ground fractured thoughts, emotions and spirits via this chakra. Simply carry the stone with you or, for greatest benefit, place it at your feet or the base of your spine. Hematite's grounding power can be useful for thinkers who need clarity and focus. It is also considered a helpful stone for anyone experiencing stress or emotional upheaval, providing strength and stability and keeping them in the here and now.
Protection
American Indians used to wear hematite ground up in their war paint to protect them from harm in battle. In the same way, the stone can be worn or carried as a spiritual shield for those in challenging or confrontational situations. Hematite acts as a deflector, its metallic surface reflecting stress and negativity about the wearer back to its sources.
Purification
Hematite not only can deflect negativity away from anyone wearing it, it can cleanse a person of negativity, too. Carry or wear hematite to purify your aura and draw away dark energies from your body and spirit. In this way, the stone can lift depression and dispel negative thoughts and feelings. Ensure that you regularly cleanse your hematite of negative energies by soaking it in a sea-salt solution overnight.
Psychic Awareness
Hematite's reflective metallic surface makes it the perfect stone to divine the future or to seek answers to the present. Its grounding and protecting powers also make it the perfect stone to assist in psychic exploration, helping the mind and spirit to achieve the wider focus they need to understand the world of the unseen while preventing them from losing perspective. For this reason, hematite is a valuable companion for astral projection and for offering insights into the self and others.
Tags: many spiritual, many spiritual properties, metallic surface, perfect stone, spiritual properties, them from, True hematite
Many biologist duties are performed in a laboratory setting.
Biologists work with the world’s living organisms. They typically hold advanced degrees (master’s and doctoral degrees are necessary for higher-paying jobs) and often specialize in their areas of interest. Because biologists deal with all aspects the living organisms they choose to study, their duties vary and can change from day to day.
Research Jobs
Biologists regularly and continuously conduct research. Molecular biologists, for example, are concerned with things like DNA and RNA, and how the genetic material found inside can affect the body of different living things. These biologists can spend more time in labs than others because they are studying material drawn from living things rather than being able to observe living organisms in the wild. Marine and wildlife biologists, on the other hand, observe animals and plants in their habitats as well as in labs. All biologists must dissect creatures, use laboratory equipment and note their findings in research notebooks or reports.
Consultation
Using the information gathered from their research, many biologists work as consultants. Molecular biologists, for example, often serve as consultants on combat diseases because of their intimate knowledge of how viruses, bacteria and genetic abnormalities affect the biological functioning of organisms. This consultation can help lead to the development of new medicines. Marine and wildlife biologists take stock of populations and research the effects of industry on living things. These biologists recommend wildlife management plans and changes in industrial plans to help minimize detrimental effects on a particular species or group of animals or plants. Through consultation, biologists in general also help coordinate programs to prevent the spread of disease.
Education
Biologists educate and inform students, the public, groups of scholars and other biologists. Many biologists work as university professors, teaching a class or two when their schedule permits. Others work with zoos and aquariums to help build exhibits to educate the public on various species and wildlife habitats. In this capacity, biologists often also care for animals and plants that are included in exhibits. Biologists also write scientific papers and articles for journals that are read by peers in their field. In this way, scientists keep up to date on current research in the field of biology.
Tags: animals plants, living organisms, living things, biologists example, biologists work
Gold is a precious metal mined to create practical and ornamental pieces of work. Refined gold ore can be melted, poured and cast into almost any shape to make jewelry. There are numerous industrial applications for gold, as well. Many electronics and medical devices rely on gold's ability to conduct electricity and resist corrosion. Here's identify gold ore.
Instructions
1. Find an area that has been proven to produce gold. Mountainous areas that have strong granite or crystalline deposits are a good start. Areas where geologic upheaval and pressure have occurred is another prime location.
2. Mine the rock from the area. Start with a good amount of rock samples to look for gold ore. Rocks the size of a human hand are best to sample. Look closely for quartz or crystal deposits, since this is where super-heated steam may have driven gold into "veins" of gold ore.
3. Test the waters of any nearby streams or rivers. Gold ore can be washed many miles from its source and lodge under river rocks and obstructions. Take a sluice pan and sample the sand and silt from the riverbed near boulders and river bends.
4. Search through the discarded heaps of waste materials from old gold ore mines. Many old abandoned gold mines that flourished during the "gold rush" era have waste deposits that may contain viable amounts of overlooked gold ore.
Kansas is one of the top ten states for producing oil.
Drilling for oil on your property in Kansas is a very expensive investment, but it can lead to large profits if your property is in the right location. Kansas is ranked as one of the top ten oil producing states in the country. The state has streamlined its requirements through the Kansas Corporation Commission, which regulates private oil wells within the state. The success of oil drilling on your property is largely based on what happens to be resting beneath the surface. While drilling for oil on your property may seem like a difficult task, understanding the process will make things easier.
Instructions
1. Test your property to determine the possibility of the presence of oil below the surface. Hire one of the many geologists or oil drilling specialists in your area, as drilling for oil in Kansas is a large industry. Check with the Kansas State Board of Technical Professionals to ensure the expert is properly licensed, as the states regulatory authority will not accept reports from non-licensed experts. Ask the specialist to evaluate your property and prepare a report. Review the report to calculate your risks versus benefits for drilling on your property. Submit a copy of your report to the Kansas Corporation Commission.
2. Complete required documentation for setting up an oil drill in Kansas. Contact the Kansas Corporation Commission's Oil and Gas Division. Obtain all forms and documents to establish you intent to drill. These forms will include a Casing Surface Certification, Intent to Drill form and a Kansas drill operator license application. Return all completed forms to the Kansas Corporation Commission's office in Topeka. The Topeka office must approve your application before you can begin drilling. Failure to file proper paperwork with the state will result in fines or penalties.
3. Locate a drilling equipment sales company to purchase your drill. Make sure your operator's license has been approved by the state before purchasing equipment. If you would rather an oil company operate the drill on your behalf, you will not be required to have an operator's license; however, you will have to pay the company to operate the drill. Select a company that is licensed by the Kansas Corporation Commission. Obtain the company's license number. Go to the commission's license search section of their website. Search the company's license to verify that they are in good standing with the state and that no disciplinary action has been taken against it.
4. File monthly and yearly reports with the Kansas Corporation Commission. Report your monthly oil production, if any, and the depth of your well. You will also need to file monthly drilling reports with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as they will regulate your drill's effect on the environment.
Tags: your property, Corporation Commission, Kansas Corporation, Kansas Corporation Commission, drilling your property
Children can create fanciful shapes and use them as a frame work to grow clear or colored crystals using a common household cleaning product. The crystals grow overnight, allowing children to see first hand the crystal-formation process which creates many types of rocks.
Instructions
1. Make a shape out of pipe cleaners that will fit inside the jar. This will be the shape of your crystal.
2. Tie the shape to a piece of string. Place a small stick, such as pencil or craft stick, across the mouth of the jar. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil, so that the pipe-cleaner shape hangs completely inside the jar 1 to 2 inches below the rim.
3. Remove the stick and the shape from the jar.
4. Fill the jar with boiling water to 1 inch below the rim.
5. Add borax stirring constantly until you have some borax on the bottom of the jar, which will not dissolve when stirred. This is a sign that the solution has become supersaturated and no more borax can be dissolved.
6. Put the pipe cleaner shape back into the jar.
7. Wait overnight. The pipe cleaners will be covered with crystals after 12 hours in the supersaturated solution.
There are many dog-friendly getaway options in New York state.
New York is a dog-friendly state and this is represented by New York City itself, which has five dog friendly-parks, luxury shopping such as in Tiffany and Co. and Saks Fifth Avenue and a host of restaurants that allow pets. There are locations scattered throughout the state that are pet-friendly, including the Daggett Lake Campsites in the Adirondacks. There are accommodations available for dog-friendly getaways throughout the state of New York.
Acra Manor Resort
The Acra Manor Resort is a seasonal destination located in the Catskill Mountains and is open from July 1 until the end of August, as well as Memorial Day weekend. Pets are allowed that weigh up to 30 lbs. and there is a dog park on the property for the fitness and pleasure of your dogs. This mountain getaway is 2 1/2 hours outside New York City in Acra, New York. Local attractions include the Norman Rockwell Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Saratoga Springs. There are indoor and outdoor facilities available at the Acra Manor Resort for wedding ceremonies and festivities. Accommodations include renovated units that are smartly decorated in shades of white. Amenities include two daily meals, an on-site night club and cocktail lounge and after-dinner receptions.
Acra Manor Resort
Route 23
Acra, NY 12405
518-622-3253
acramanor.com
Bowen's by the Bays
Bowen's by the Bays is located in Hampton Bays and offers a choice of accommodations that are all nonsmoking and include guestrooms, studios and cottages with one to three bedrooms. All units are decorated with modern furnishings and have refrigerators and ceiling fans. Pets are welcomed, with a $20 per day pet fee. Owners also must obey posted pet regulations, keep pets on leashes and clean up after pets. Amenities include a swimming pool situated among a landscaped garden filled with roses and other flowers, a playground, shuffleboard, lighted tennis courts and books that are available in the office.
Bowen's by the Bays
177 West Montauk Highway
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
631-728-1158
gobowens.com
Doubletree Hotel New York City--Chelsea
Doubletree Hotel New York City-Chelsea is a pet-friendly property that allows a maximum of two pets. Dogs must not weigh more than 35 lbs., and a one-time $25 pet fee is required at check-in. Pets receive a surprise welcome gift at check-in, as well. This centrally located hotel is within blocks of Madison Avenue, the Empire State Building and world-renowned Broadway. The state-of-the art guestrooms and suites have flat-screen TVs, and a modern design scheme complete with hues of olive and cranberry. Hotel amenities and services include a business center and laundry services, and dining is available for breakfast and dinner at Chelton's Bar and Grille that serves American fare.
Doubletree Hotel New York City-Chelsea
128 West 29th St.
New York, NY 10001
212-564-0994
doubletree1.hilton.com
Tags: Acra Manor, Acra Manor Resort, Manor Resort, Bowen Bays, Doubletree Hotel, Doubletree Hotel York, Hotel York
Science teachers train students to experiment, observe and report their findings.
Teachers are influential individuals who impart knowledge and skills to students in a wide variety of subjects. Science teachers focus on those subjects that can be empirically tested through the scientific method of repeatable experimentation, observation and conclusion. Science teachers may focus on the natural sciences such as physics, physical science, geology, astronomy, biology and chemistry. And they may teach in the social sciences such as sociology or psychology. They also teach in applied sciences, like medicine or engineering. A science teacher's income may be impacted by the type of science and grade level she teaches, as well as geographic location.
Type of Scientific Discipline
Annual salaries for U.S.-based science teachers can vary widely based on the scientific discipline the teachers work in. The median annual income for U.S.-based post-secondary agricultural science teachers was $78,370 as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S.-based post-secondary engineering teachers earned median annual wages of $89,670. Post-secondary biological science teachers earned median annual wages of $72,700 and chemistry teachers earned median annual wages of $70,520.
Geographic Location
Wages for science teachers can vary based on where the science teacher is employed. Post-secondary physics teachers who worked in Arkansas earned earned median annual wages of $50,030 as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physics teachers who worked in California earned median wages of $101,240 per year. Post-secondary forestry and conservation science teachers who worked in California earned median annual wages of $53,910 while those who taught in Pennsylvania earned median wage of $87,900 per year.
Grade Level
The grade level that a science teacher is involved with can have a significant impact on income. Teachers in elementary grade levels frequently teach a variety of subjects, including science. Science teachers at the middle school, high school and post-secondary level typically specialize in a particular course of instruction such as atmospheric, earth, marine or space science. The median national wage for elementary grade level teachers was $51,660 as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S.-based middle school teachers earned a median annual income of $51,960 while those who taught at the high school level earned median wages of $53,230 per year. Post-secondary atmospheric, earth, marine or space science teachers earned median annual wages of $82,840.
Considerations
Science teachers in public schools typically must hold at least a bachelor's degree and a state-issued teacher's certificate. Private schools may have their own requirements for science teachers, which may be more or less stringent than that required for public school teachers. Post-secondary institutions usually require science teachers to hold at least a master's degree in their field of specialization, and tenured professors may need a doctorate.
Tags: earned median, median annual, earned median annual, annual wages, median annual wages
Quartz crystals are used to produce glass, abrasives and slurries for oil production.
Quartz is the most common mineral found on the Earth's surface. It can be found in every geological environment, and is at least a component of all different kinds of rock. Quartz is a chemical composition of silicone and oxygen (SiO2). It comes in many forms called allotropes, which results in crystals of different colors and forms.
Color
Quartz is commonly clear in color, according to the Galleries website. But it can also be cloudy, white, purple, pink, gray, brown and black. Quartz can be found all over the world. Purple quartz, which is also called an amethyst, can be found in Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Russia, Canada and U.S. Pink quartz, also called rose quartz, can be found in Brazil.
Hardness
Quartz crystal rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. The Mohs scale was created in the 1822 by Friedrich Mohs. The scale is used to help classify rocks and minerals based on their hardness. The scale is 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Quartz is considered relatively hard, but it's not as hard as topaz, corundum and diamonds.
Piezoelectric
Quartz is a piezoelectric cyrstal. Piezoelectric effect refers to the relationship between mechanical stress and electric voltage in solids. Quartz in a normal state is not a good conductor of electricity. However, when it's compressed and heated, two separate electrical poles are created at each end of the crystal structure. Applications of piezoelectric devices are similar to air bags. in which a certain amount of force has to be applied prior to an electrical signal being sent to deploy the air bag.
Cleavage
Cleavage refers to how a mineral fractures and breaks. Minerals with perfect cleavage create flat-looking surfaces. Quartz cleavage is considered rhombohedral, which means that the cleavage along three sides of the crystal is weak. A rhombohedral shape is similar to a squashed box. Quartz crystals all demonstrate the same cleavage no matter what color the crystal is.
Tags: also called, found Brazil, hardness scale, Mohs scale, Quartz crystals
The scientific method is a tool used by researchers to explore and understand relationship variables in an experiment. There are seven steps in the scientific method. The first is observation. If conducted correctly, observation leads researchers to develop questions and possible outcomes of their work. Observation ensures a solid foundation as you experiment and use the scientific process.
Instructions
1. Gather as much information about the phenomenon you are observing as possible. The more information you have on the subject, the better your experimental design. Gather information from experience, books, the Internet, other experiments, instructors and librarians.
2. Observe the phenomena you are interested in studying using one or all of your five senses. Use the senses that are the most appropriate to the given situation. What you see, hear, taste, smell and feel are all very important tools in collecting good data.
3. Separate your observations into two sections: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative observations describe what you see while quantitative observations measure what you see.
4. Use your sensory observations to generate as many questions as possible about your subject. The purpose of your observations is to develop research questions that guide your hypothesis, which is the next step in the scientific method. The more questions you have, the easier it is to devise a valid hypothesis. The better your hypothesis, the stronger your experimental design.
Tags: better your, experimental design, questions possible, scientific method, your experimental, your experimental design, your hypothesis
Rock cycle projects help children to understand how rocks are formed and broken down.
The rock cycle is a popular topic in sixth-grade earth science. The rock cycle describes the way Earth's internal and external processes are responsible for the formation and alteration of different types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Before embarking on any rock cycle projects, make sure your students can identify the three types of rocks, and review the way rocks are formed and broken down. This will provide a background that students can build on in their project.
Rock Hunt
Send students on a rock hunt in their own neighborhoods. Students should search for examples of each type of rock in their yards, or in playgrounds and parks near their homes. Show students examples of each type of rock, and discuss where they are most likely to be found. Discuss with the students the geology of their local areas, and ask them to predict what types of rocks they will be most likely to find. Have the students bring in their findings and tally up how many of each type of rock were found. Discuss whether this tally matches the predictions they made.
Rock Life Story
Have students write a short story about the life of a rock. They should describe at least three changes that the rock goes through over time. Remind students that rocks don't only go from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic -- a sedimentary rock can turn into another sedimentary rock and a metamorphic rock can become a sedimentary rock, and so on. Encourage students to be creative, and to include the "feelings" and "thoughts" of the rock. Instead of a story, students could write a diary or draw a cartoon.
Sediment in a Bottle
Use clean, plastic soda bottles. Students add pebbles, sand, clay and soil to the bottle in layers. Add about two tablespoons of Epsom salt to each bottle, mixed among the layers. Students can also add "fossils" in the form of twigs or shells. Fill the bottles about 3/4 full. Students then give the bottles a shake and cover the layers with water. Keep the caps off the bottles and allow the water to evaporate over time. Leave the bottles in a sunny spot if possible. Once the water has evaporated and the materials in the bottle have dried out, cut away the plastic bottle to reveal the "sedimentary rock."
Rock Fudge
Assign each student a role: Erosion, Uplift, Time, Water, Weathering, Heat, Pressure, Plate Tectonics. Erosion adds 1/3 cup evaporated milk (silt) to a bowl; Uplift adds 1 cup of sugar (quartz); Time adds 1 tbsp. of margarine (organic sediments). Plate Tectonics mixes up the ingredients with a spoon. Heat places the bowl in a microwave oven for 45 seconds. Pressure stirs the bowl. Repeat this three times. Weathering then adds 1 cup mini-marshmallows (limestone) to the bowl, Heat adds 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (basalt), and Pressure adds 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (crude oil). Time and Water take turns stirring the sediments, then Erosion holds the bowl while Plate Tectonics scrapes the fudge (magma) onto the Earth's surface (wax paper). Once it has cooled, students can take the fudge home.
Tags: sedimentary rock, each type, each type rock, Plate Tectonics, rock cycle, type rock, types rocks
A machine shop is any workshop that extensively uses mechanized tools, usually to craft and shape metal. With a full array of machine tools on a workbench, a machine shop is able to accurately and precisely cut metal to shape, carve shapes and details, or plane metal to a level surface.
Bench Mill
One of the primary tools used to cut metal, bench mills come in two types: vertical and horizontal. Both work in essentially the same fashion, using a manually controlled drilling and cutting bit to shape material. A good startup bench mill should be able to cut slots, plane and drill holes like a drill press, with manual controls that allow for precision movement of the material along all three axes.
Lathe
Lathes are cutting devices that spin material rapidly around a central axis and cut (or sand) using a stationary blade. Leadscrews allow you to set the depth at which the blade cuts, and should also allow for completely manual, free-hand cutting. Lathes are essential for cutting threading into material to be mounted using bolt-and-nut fasteners, as well as an essential work piece for shaping metal.
Vise
A bench vise is a clamp that affixes to your workbench by screws, allowing you to hold and position material as you work on it. High-quality models provide a lockable swivel function to rotate the clamping arm to the angle at which it's easiest to work. Vises designed specifically for metalwork will feature rough jaws, while combination vises' jaws are curved at their ends to grip pipe and other round objects without crushing them in a flat gripping surface.
Bench Grinder
A bench grinder mounts to a workbench and provides a pair of rotating grinding surfaces used to roughly shape or polish material. One grinding surface is a traditional grinding wheel, used to sharpen and shape metals, while the other is a wire brush used for the first stages of polishing metal surfaces.
Planer
Similar to a lathe and a mill, planers are used to shape metal as it passes underneath a stationary blade. Unlike lathes, a planer's movement isn't rotational, and instead of a cutting bit as used in a mill, planers cut with a blade. Operators use planers primarily to cut very flat and level surfaces quickly.
The oil and gas industry employs many thousands of workers to maintain the various systems involved with the excavation of oil and natural gas. These oil and gas technicians are needed to assist engineers, utilize measuring instruments to obtain data on natural resource,s and record the data they find. Oil and gas technicians work a much different schedule than most workers, often remaining on-site for weeks at a time. In return, most technicians earn wages that can reach upwards of $70,000 per year.
Average Salary
The average salary among all oil and gas technicians working in the United States was $60,410 per year as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On an hourly basis, these technicians, also known as geological and petroleum technicians, made an average wage of $29.04. Job applicants with a bachelor's degree in a related field of study, such as hydrology or environmental engineering, stand a better chance of earning technician work.
Salary Range
In the United States, annual wages for the middle 50 percent of geological and petroleum technicians, between the 25th and 75th percentile, ranged from $38,990 to $73,910 as of May 2010, with hourly rates ranging from $18.75 to $35.53.
This salary range covers the three main types of oil and gas technicians: mechanical technicians, electrical technicians and instrument and control technicians. Mechanical technicians are responsible for maintaining all mechanical systems and parts, including valves, pumps, engines and gas turbines. Electrical technicians help control the electrical systems powering the extraction and distribution process. Instrument and control technicians maintain the effectiveness of the various instruments providing measurement readings on system pressure and temperature, as well as oil and gas flow. Some technicians can earn higher salaries by being able to cover a technician's duties in two or more areas.
Geography
In the United States, annual salaries for geological and petroleum technicians were highest in California, where they earned an average of $93,280 as of May 2010, according to the bureau. Other states with high salaries for oil and gas technicians included Nevada, averaging $76,020 per year, Alaska, at $67,190, and New York, at $64,360. As of June 2011, available employment opportunities for U.S. oil and gas technicians were a lot more prevalent throughout the North American continent than the rest of the world, according to the job tracking website InfoOil Careers, where most advertised openings were in Canada and the United States, although companies in Australia, Norway, Denmark, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also had job offers for international workers.
Other Positions
Oil and gas technicians make less than many other positions employed in the oil and gas industry. The top compensation in the industry is reserved for drillers, who made an average of $129,000 per year as of 2011, according to the annual Rigzone Salary Survey of the oil and gas industry. Other top earners in the industry include geoscientists, who earned an average of $108,000 per year, and management or supervisors, who averaged $102,000 per year.
Tags: United States, geological petroleum, geological petroleum technicians, petroleum technicians, 2010 according, average year
Io's volcanic plumes are visible to the Hubble Space Telescope.
The Jovian moon Io is Jupiter's third largest and the fifth closest to the planet. Io is a differentiated planetary body, with a molten iron core, rocky mantle and silicate crust. Io was named after a mythological Greek nymph, one of Zeus' concubines. If it orbited the sun, Io would be called a dwarf planet, like Pluto. Io was discovered by Galileo in 1610.
Jovian Moons
The giant gas planet Jupiter is the largest in the solar system. Its gravitational field holds 60 known small satellites and four large ones in orbit. Called Jovian moons, the orbiting bodies were the first moons discovered around a planet besides the Earth. The four largest rocky bodies are know as Galilean moons after their discoverer, Galileo Galilei. Io is the most colorful and geologically active of the Jovian moons.
Io
The Jovian moon Io is one of the solar system's most visually interesting objects. Its rocky, mountainous surface is multicolored with hues of orange, red, white, green, brown and black from lava flows and plumes. Io's overall yellow color comes from sulfur and sulfurous compounds ejected by volcanoes. The most conspicuous features on Io are its tall mountains, some with peaks over 50,000 feet, and its massive 190-mile high volcanic plumes. Compared to other bodies in the Solar System, Io has very few meteorite craters.
Volcanoes
With around 400 volcanoes, Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. Its volcanic vents and shield volcanoes produce rings of lava hundreds of miles across. Io's erupting volcanoes were first recorded by the spacecraft Voyager 1 and 2 in 1979. Io's volcanoes are the hot spots of the solar system, with temperatures reaching 2,789 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly one third as hot as the sun's surface. Oddly, Io's surface temperature away from the volcanoes is only 238 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.
Iovian Geology
The gravitational fields of Jupiter and the other Galilean Jovian moons, Europa and Ganymede, pull Io into an elliptical orbit. The irregular orbit causes massive tides in the moon's internal magma ocean. The tidal forces move the moon's surface up and down 330 feet. The resulting friction causes high heat and pressure in the crust's molten subsurface. The melted ultramafic rocks, sulfur and related compounds form volcanoes to relieve the internal pressure. Liquid lava fills in impact craters and smooths the moon's surface with molten floodplains.
Tags: solar system, Jovian moons, moon surface, volcanic plumes, volcanoes most, were first
A geotechnical proposal is a written paper describing a plan of action for a particular set of problems. Geologists and environmental engineers perform site investigations to determine what technical services and products are required to get the job done. Geotechnical proposals usually include descriptions of the existing physical situation and a feasible course of action for remediation. Proposals should include costing and the amount of time expected to run the project. Evidence of staff expertise such as long standing service or professional licenses adds credibility with greater potential to win a bid for the work.
Instructions
1. Prepare a proposal table of contents. List section titles of all components of the work to be done at the site. Include planning, costing, technical services, procedures and consultations. Give each section an appropriate identifying title and list subtitles where major production steps are shown. Include the page numbers where items can be found within the proposal.
2. Write an Introductory section to briefly define the project and the scope of the investigation. Define the apparent physical damage of the area and give a description of the site. Briefly tell how your team plans to access the problems and how you expect to conduct further investigations. Explain your plans to address site mitigation or remediation.
3. Provide a detailed account of your project plan. Describe the work, staff, consultants and equipment needed to accomplish each task.
4. Submit spreadsheets or similar data formats that approximate costs for the services that you plan to provide to accomplish the work at hand. Give a breakdown of prices for each type of worker, the consults, services and equipment. Show the expected number of hours that each part of the job will take. Include hours for research, document review, preparation and field work.
5. Provide documentation demonstrating the level of expertise of your staff and the consultants used on the project. List any awards, honors or recognitions that your company has achieved.
6. Create an index. Read through the proposal and make a list of all key words, concepts, titles, authors, investigators, data tables, figures and diagrams and other similar words of interest within the proposal.
7. Include a glossary of terms. Write an addendum listing scientific and technical terms, providing definitions relevant to their usage within the proposal.
Tags: within proposal, proposal Write, staff consultants, technical services, within proposal Write
Specific gravity can be calculated using a test tube, or with known measurements.
Specific gravity is a measurement of one object's density versus a constant. In most cases, the constant is water. According to the Utah Geological Survey, specific gravity can also be used to help identify minerals. It is also an important part of the brewing process, because it gives a brewer the ability to know how much sugar has been absorbed into the water base. Calculating specific gravity is relatively easy with sufficient data, and unit conversions add only one extra step.
Instructions
Density Formula
1. Gather all your data. You will need the mass of the object and the volume it occupies. These units are normally represented in in kilograms (kg) and meters cubed (m^3), respectively.
2. Use the formula p = m / V, where p = the density, m = the mass, and V = the volume, to determine the object's density. The answer, or p, should be expressed in kg/m^3.
3. Find the ratio of the density of the object to the density of water. Use the equation SG = p/pH2O, where SG is the Specific Gravity, p is the density of the object, and pH2O is the density of water. The commonly used density of water is 1,000 kg/m^3, or the density of water at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius.
Converting
4. Convert the density of water from 1,000 kg/m^3 into g/l. This will enable you to complete the preceding calculation with the measurements you have in g/l.
5. Change kilograms into grams. 1 kg is equal to 1,000 g, so 1,000 x 1,000 = 1,000,000, or 1,000,000g/m^3.
6. Convert meters cubed in liters. 1 m^3 is equal to 1,000 l. 1 x 1,000 = 1,000 liters.
7. Simplify your answer. 1,000,000 g / 1,000 l = 1,000g/l. Working in grams per liter will return the same numerical result as working with kg/m^3.
Tags: density water, object density, density object, meters cubed
Garmin supplies free software which you can use to manage trail maps on your computer and then download them to one of its Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. You can use the software to install maps, survey the terrain and plan your route. Trail maps come in regular topographic and also high level, comparable to 1:24,000 scale United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps.
Instructions
1. Install the free MapSource software on your computer from the website (see References). Download the file into a directory on your computer. Change to the directory where you downloaded the file and run the file by clicking on it. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
2. Purchase the map at the Garmin website (see References).
3. Connect your Garmin to your computer with the supplied cable.
4. Select the map you want to send to the Garmin.
5. Click the Map tool; it's a little map icon. Move the mouse to highlight a region. Click with the mouse to select the region.
6. Transfer the map to the Garmin. Make sure you have enough memory for the map selection on the Garmin, then check the Maps Tab to see how much memory your selected region needs.
7. Make sure the selection you want to send shows up on the left side of the MapSource window.
8. Click "Send to Device." And then "Send." MapSource will begin downloading the trail map to your GPS.
9. Disconnect the GPS and verify the trail map is installed.
Tags: your computer, Make sure, want send, website References
is a natural fit for those interested in studying geology and geography.
North Carolina's rich history, temperate climate and diverse landscape and geographic location combine to make the state a popular draw for college students -- particularly for those interested in geological sciences and geography. Those individuals in search of summer courses in these fields of interest will find a number of institutions of higher learning prepared to meet their needs.
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It is no surprise that a university situated in the heart of North Carolina's breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains would claim to have one of the best undergraduate geology programs in the southeastern U.S. Appalachian State University (appstate.edu) is a member of the University of Carolina educational system. The Appalachian State University Geology program offers a variety of research opportunities in a variety of areas. Located in Boone, North Carolina, the university has two summer sessions that include courses in geology and geography.
Duke University
Processes affecting the earth's behavior are the focus of study at Duke University's Division of Earth & Ocean Sciences.
Duke University's Division of Earth & Ocean Sciences (duke.edu) academic focus is describing and understanding the processes that affect the behavior of the Earth's surface and interior, its oceans and climate. In addition to the summer courses on campus, students also have the opportunity to study abroad for the summer session. Duke University is located in the thriving metropolis of Durham, conveniently located in the center of North Carolina.
East Carolina University
East Carolina students can from choose a variety of course offerings in geology and geography.
East Carolina University's Department of Geological Sciences (ecu.edu) was established in 1967 and today offers a spectrum of undergraduate programs in three areas of concentration: coastal and marine geology, environment geology and general geology. Graduate students can focus their research efforts in any field of geology. In addition to summer course offerings on the ECU campus in Greenville, geology majors can participate in University of North Carolina summer field courses in New Mexico and Colorado.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University offers a wide selection of summer classes in geology.
Located in the western region of North Carolina in the city of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University (wcu.edu) was founded in 1889. The university, also a member of the University of North Carolina system, has a student body of more than 9,000 students. The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources offers programs in geology, natural resource conservation and management, earth science education and geography. Summer courses are available in several of these areas including geology.
Tags: North Carolina, Appalachian State, Carolina University, Duke University, Appalachian State University, East Carolina, geology geography
The solid rock that comprises the crust of the Earth is referred to as bedrock. The actual rock types that bedrock is composed of might differ, but generally bedrock will consist of any variety of sedimentary rocks, such as shale and limestone; igneous rocks like granite and diorite; and metamorphic rocks such as slate and greenstone. Bedrock is usually buried beneath up to hundreds of feet of surface rocks and materials. But on hillsides this surface layer is much thinner due to erosion.
Instructions
1. Inspect the surface of the hillside, looking for exposed rock. Identify rock formations that are continuous and appear to be the bottom most layer of all the sediment. The bedrock will appear to be like the exposed skull of the hillside where the "flesh" has been washed away.
2. Consult a surficial geologic map. These are maps with geological interpretations of a given region indicating how far below the surface of an area the bedrock lies.
3. Perform test borings at the hillside site to determine how far below the surface the bedrock lies. As the expression says, "dig until you hit rock bottom." You will be able to identify the bedrock because it will be so hard that you will not be able to dig any further.
Tags: bedrock lies, bedrock will, below surface, rocks such, will able
Online education is very efficient because a student does not have to reside in the area near the college; complete degree programs are now offered online. An undergraduate degree in geology is not available online because it involves lab work; however, some institutions offer geology-specialty master's degree programs such as earth science, geoscience education, geotechnics, and geographic information science online.
Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers an online graduate degree in earth science. Earth science includes the study of geology, and the classes offered cover related areas including hydrogeology and geographic information systems. Emporia State also offers a geospatial analysis credential at the master's level, for students who do not wish to attend a full master's degree program.
Emporia State University
1200 Commercial Street
Emporia, Kansas 66801
(620) 341-1200
http://www.emporia.edu/
University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin offers an online degree in geoscience education. This program includes some unique aspects: since the course is offered online, it is taught by teachers throughout the state of Tennessee. The geoscience education program is taught by a combination of geology professors and education professors, as it is designed to prepare students to become geology teachers in Tennessee high schools.
The University of Tennessee, Martin
552 University Street
Martin, TN 38237
(731) 881-7000
http://www.utm.edu/
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University offers an online masters degree in Geographic Information Science. Also known as GIS, this is a specialty taught through the geology department. GIS involves using information technology, as well as maps, property deeds, and environmental measurements, to create electronic systems that record and predict information. This is an applied degree that trains students to operate software when working at environmental consulting firms and government regulatory agencies.
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
(660) 562=1212
http://www.nwmissouri.edu/
Missouri University of Science and Technology
The Missouri University of Science and Technology offers an online masters degree in Geotechnics. Geotechnics is an area of geology that involves the application of engineering. Various engineering courses that cover geology concepts are offered, such as petroleum, civil, and mining engineering, as well as advanced geology courses. This degree program is focused on extracting resources such as metals and oil from the earth.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
1870 Miner Circle
Rolla, MO 65409
(573) 341-4111
http://www.mst.edu/
Tags: State University, Emporia State, offers online, Emporia State University, geoscience education
Webster's defines a gem "as any jewel, whether stone, pearl or the like, having value and beauty that are intrinsic and not derived from its setting; a precious or ... semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament. [or] carved or engraved, as a cameo or intaglio." About 60 kinds of gemstones are found in the United States, only some of which are found in Alabama, as it's not one of the top gem-producing states.
Quartz
Quartz in its natural state.
In prehistorc Alabama, native Americans used quartz and other rocks and minerals. In recorded history, quartz is mentioned in the first issue of the "American Journal of Science" in 1819; it was found in the Tennessee River Valley area near Huntsville. Quartz is found all over, however, and chalcedony, which includes many well known varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz, is found in every state, according to the United States Geological Survey. The most important mineral discovery in Alabama occurred in 1831 with the discovery of gold. In 1990 "star blue quartz" became the official gemstone for Alabama.
Agate
Gems are used in jewelry, including bracelets.
Agate is a type of quartz and has curved bands of various colors. Look for agate near Garth and Hollytree in Jackson county.
Beryl
Ermerald and aquamarine are two varieties of beryl, which come in various colors, or are colorless. You can hunt for beryl near Hissop in Coosa county.
Garnets
Deep red to black is one of the color combinations of garnets.
There are various types of garnets; they're not all red. You can look for them near Erin, Ashland, and Hollis Corners.
Other Gems
Gemstones can be combined in various ways.
"Rocks & Minerals" lists hematite, marcasite, quartz, olivine, tourmaline, fluorite, agate, jasper, garnet, topaz, malachite, turquoise, diamond, zircon and spinel as gems found in Alabama. It also lists locations, which are broken down into counties, districts and specific sites. Of course, some of these sites are on private property. Another list includes amethyst, beryl (ermerald), calcite, fluorite, gypsum, magnetite, quartz (agate), rutile, tourmaline, turqouise and wavelite. Broken pieces of mussel shells from Alabama are used in pearl production, though not locally. They're inserted in oyster shells for pearl nucleii.
Public Locations
Find your very own gemstones and have them set.
There are maps, booklets and rock hounding groups to join if you are hoping to discover your own gems. For explorers, May Hill Press has maps for gems and gold. You'll need a map for detailed directions, but in the area of Blount you could find agate, jasper and onyx. Look for tourmaline near Opelika in Chambers county, Micaville in Cleburne county and Rockford in Coosa county. You can find onyx near Jackson in Clarke county and turquoise in Clay county.
Tags: agate jasper, Coosa county, found Alabama, United States, various colors
A geologist's hammer is one of the most critical tools in a rock hunter's aresenal.
Rock hunting is not an activity for the feint of heart. Harsh conditions, rough terrain and heavy gear can make even the shortest trip seem like a grand expedition. But if you're prepared with the right tools, you can ensure that, if nothing else, your trip goes smoothly and that you, and your specimens, are well protected.
Protective Gear
Goggles are important for protecting your eyes from small rock chips as well as from the sun. Wearing a mask to protect your lungs from dust and powder is also a good idea. Because most rock hunting is done in rough conditions, steel toed boots, gloves and a hat for protection from the sun are useful items to include in your rock hunting kit. You might also check weather reports and take emergency rain gear if necessary.
Labeling Gear
You want to make sure you label what you find and where you found it, so take along a notebook and pens. Felt-tipped pens will write on most rocks and fossils so you can label them right in the field.
Protecting Your Specimens
Since you might find delicate fossils while you're out hunting, including packing material like baggies and bubble wrap in your backpack will help protect your finds. Be sure to pack a pocket magnifier to help correctly identify tricky specimens.
Geologist's Hammer
Geologist's hammers come in a few varieties. Chisel-tipped hammers are used mainly for softer, sedimentary rock. Pick hammers are great for the harder igneous and metamorphic rocks you might encounter. A crack hammer resembles a small sledge hammer and is used with chisels to break open a large stone.
Rock Chisels
Rock chisels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Bringing a wide range with you ensures you'll always have the right one for the job.
Lake Powell features many places for your young angler to catch a fish.
Southern Utah is a fisherman's paradise offering catches ranging from native cutthroat to walleye and bass. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources posts "hot" fishing spots, hoping to fulfill dreams of mouth-watering fresh fish for dinner. Lake campgrounds welcome overnight guests as well, inviting your family to rough it sleeping in a tent or enjoy the luxuries in your RV. Pack up the kids, fishing poles and camping gear, spending a few days enjoying the outdoors at one of Southern Utah's premier lakes.
Lake Powell
No trip to Southern Utah is complete without visiting Lake Powell, the United States' second largest man-made reservoir. Two campgrounds are situated within the boundaries of Lake Powell's Utah side. Bullfrog Marina features 24 pull-through spots, accommodating RVs up to 50 feet long. Your kids will especially enjoy attending the nightly amphitheater program focusing on geology, wildlife and history of the Ancestral Pueblo Native Americans. Hall's Crossing is reached by ferry from Bullfrog Marina and offers 24 RV spaces, along with 78 campsites. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer fishing season, prime time for both boaters and shore fishermen. Whether your kids are hoping to snag a smallmouth bass or cast their fly rods reeling in their first rainbow trout of the season, fishing near both campgrounds presents plenty of angler opportunities.
Southwest Utah State Parks
Southwest Utah boasts mild winter temperatures permitting state park campgrounds to stay open year-round. Three picture-perfect state parks lie just north of St. George offering clear blue reservoirs, surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. Take the camper and watch as your little ones cast for crappie, catfish and largemouth bass. Journey on the Old Spanish Trail to Gunlock State Park or venture east across Highway 15 to Quail Creek State Park. San Hollow State Park provides a smooth pad for your RV, along with modern restrooms and full hookups.
Trout Infested Waters
If your family is looking for trout-infested waters, Baker Dam Recreation Area is the place to head. Located 17 miles north of St. George, Baker Dam features 19 sites minus potable water and electrical hookups. La Sal National Forest, southeast of Moab, contains eight lakes ripe with rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout. While most La Sal lakes offer primitive camping, albeit with vault toilets, tables and grills, any wide spot along the road can be claimed for overnight guests. Pack some warm clothes in the summer months, with most lakes ranging in elevation between 8,000 to 10,000 feet.
Other Prime Spots
Who couldn't catch a fish in a lake called Fish Lake? Located in south central Utah, Fish Lake descends 100 feet at its lowest point and not only contains normal varieties of trout, but yellow perch as well. Because of Fish Lake's 8,400-foot elevation, camping is nestled between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Fish Lake offers camping options for everyone including two RV parks with full hookups and five campgrounds used for trailers and tents. While you may consider yourself an excellent fly fishermen, hiring a guide to help you and the kids lure a trophy-size trout is well worth the money. Although you don't need a guide to fish Boulder Mountain's 80 small lakes, guided fly-fishing trips practically guarantee an elusive catch on one of these quiet lakes. Dixie National Forest, home to Boulder Mountain not only contains unlimited camping options, but is a quiet refuge away from the crowds.
Tags: Fish Lake, Lake Powell, Southern Utah, State Park, along with, Boulder Mountain
Buying land for fun or for an investment is attractive to many people.
Buying land is often considered to be the ultimate investment. Purchasing a piece of raw land and enjoying it for its wilderness value or building upon it and making a profit is appealing to many potential investors. Buying a piece of raw land, however, is not as easy as it seems. Investigating the land fully before purchasing is important so the buyer is not surprised by land restrictions or future plans for the area.
Instructions
1. Develop the criteria and the purpose for buying the land. Those planning to build their own home on a piece of land or use it for recreational purposes look for something vastly different than those who look for an investment or a commercial enterprise. Establish the type of land to purchase, open land, land with trees, lakes or pond.
2. Choose the area in which you would like to purchase land. This would be dependent on the intended use of the land. If buying land to build a vacation cabin or a second home, then look to rural areas, if buying land for commercial or investment purposes, look to areas that provide that kind of zoning.
3. Locate desired land by visiting the area in which you wish to purchase the land and drive around to get a "feel" for the area. This allows you to travel local roads and determine travel times and distance from needed services. Farmers and other investors will often offer pieces of land for sale. Look for "for sale" signs on pieces of land you like.
Other options include checking local newspapers for real estate classified ads, viewing real estate listings online through Multiple Listing Services offerings or visiting local real estate offices.
4. Develop a list of properties to physically investigate. Determine zoning for each piece of property to ensure the land is usable for intended purposes. If planning on developing the property for residential or commercial purposes, ensure the land is zoned for that and determine if utilities are available. Installing power poles and other services can be an expensive endeavor, depending upon the land selected to purchase.
If buying rural land, ascertain if there are municipal water and sewer services available. If no local services exist, a well needs to be drilled and the land needs to be checked for the installation of a septic system. This entails hiring a well driller and a local geologist to test the land for septic system drainage--or "perking."
5. Review the general or master plan. Most cities, towns, villages and counties are required to have master plans available. Review the plan for the selected area and ensure there is nothing in the plan that might affect your purchase. For example, if you want to purchase five acres in the country, ensure there are no plans to put a highway nearby or turn the corn field across the road into a shopping center.
6. Arrange for financing. If you are not paying cash for your land, you will need to arrange for financing. Most landowners will hold the mortgage on a piece of land for a down payment. However, if you need bank financing, you may have to prove that you will be going to the same bank for a construction loan since most banks won't lend on a piece of property that doesn't have anything on it. Look to a smaller, community bank for this type of financing and explain your plans to them. Another option includes taking a second out on existing held properties to finance the purchase of land.
7. Make an offer on the land. Oftentimes sellers are willing to negotiate on the price of the land. If an offer is accepted, a small down will be needed to secure the offer and prove intent of purchase. After it is accepted, provide the needed funds via a money order, guaranteed bank check or through a wire transfer.
Tags: piece land, buying land, purchase land, real estate, area which, Buying land
The Himalayas are home to the highest mountains in the world.
The Great Himalayan Range is a mountain system stretching 2,400 km in length and ranging from 240 to 330 km wide. It is the world's highest mountain range and borders Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bhutan and Burma. There are three parallel ranges within this system: the Greater Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas and the Outer Himalayas. The three highest mountains in the world -- Mount Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga -- are all found in the Himalayas.
Mountain Formation
The Himalayas were formed by the shifting of continental plates beneath the Earth's surface. As two plates hit each other -- called continent-continent collision -- the pressure forced the plates upwards. The Himalayas continue to increase in height slowly every year.
Sedimentary
Layered rock is typical of the sedimentary rocks in the Himalayas.
The majority of rocks found in the Himalayas are sedimentary rocks including sandstones, shale and mudstone. This composition proves to geologists that the Himalaya mountains were originally underwater. The rocks show horizontal layers caused by the hardening of soil deposits on top of previous layers of rocks. They also have diagonal folds caused by the vertical push of the plates that created the mountains.
I-Type Granites
I-type granites are rocks formed by melting of igneous (lava) rocks. They contain biotite and hornblende minerals and don't have peraluminous or peraalkine minerals, which are typical of other types of granite. I-type granites in the Himalayas were created by continent-continent collisions.
S-Type Granites
S-type granites are caused by the melting of sedimentary or metasedimentary rocks (rather than the lava rocks of I-type granites). These have peraluminous minerals such as muscovite or corundum. They are generally considered to be orogenic granites because they were formed through continent-continent collisions.
Tags: I-type granites, continent-continent collisions, have peraluminous, highest mountains, highest mountains world, Himalayas were
The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking scenic destination.
When you think of traditional sightseeing in the US, visiting the Grand Canyon is usually high on the list. The popularity of the redwood forest in Redwood National Park in California also endures, highlighting America's diverse natural beauty. Visiting both these national treasures is likely to make your vacation enjoyable and memorable. Whether you're traveling alone or with friends or family members, you can easily enhance your vacation across America. Just plan ahead and remember some basic travel tips.
Instructions
1. Consider your time frame. Decide during which season you'd prefer to visit these attractions.
2. Use road maps to find the best route from your starting destination.
Decide on your transportation. Fly to each destination if you're crunched for time. Book flights to Phoenix, Arizona when visiting the Grand Canyon and to San Francisco or Crescent City when visiting the redwood forest. Set aside sufficient time if you prefer to travel by car. Decide how many people in your group will drive and how many hours per day you're willing to drive.
3. Plan lodging and accommodations. Find hotels in communities surrounding Redwood National Park. Book a room at a variety of on-site lodging options when visiting the Grand Canyon. Reserve campsites at both the Grand Canyon and Redwood National Park if you like.
4. Don't get stuck without your hiking boots.
Pack appropriate clothing and supplies. Plan for the activities you expect to enjoy the most. Pack extra supplies, even if you aren't planning on many outdoor activities. Bring hiking boots, a water supply, outfits for different weather conditions, a first aid kit, film or memory cards for cameras and an extra set of car keys.
5. Plan each day. Decide when to visit museums, take a scenic drive or try the hiking trails. Research what you'd like to do beforehand and plan your days to enjoy the full experience. Leave room for spontaneity as well.
6. Look up rules and regulations before you visit the national parks. Help preserve the beauty and accessibility of these destinations. Follow safety regulations and plan ahead to obtain any necessary permits, such as the overnight hiking permit required at the Grand Canyon.
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An effective classroom setup can dramatically influence learning.
There is definitely more to classroom design than meets the eye. Since the 1960s, researchers have identified links between an effective classroom setup and the behavior of both students and teachers. Because the classroom serves as the physical environment for most of the student's waking hours, planning an effective classroom setup is crucial. The four most important elements are: teacher's view of students, students' view from their seats, decreased obstruction in high-traffic areas and easy access to educational materials. By creating this effective classroom space, the teacher can dramatically influence what happens there.
Instructions
1. Make sure the teacher can see everything. The most important element of an effective classroom setup is to make certain the teacher can see every student at all times. There should be no blind spots or blockage between the teacher's desk and the student's desk, workstations, etc. The teacher should be able to view every student from any location in the classroom.
2. Make sure the students can see everything. Every student must be able to see everything from where they are seated. Students need to be able to see the teacher and the chalkboard. The teacher must make certain students are not squinting, moving around or turning their heads to be able to see the lesson. Seating arrangements include traditional rows, group seating and half circle or circle arrangements. The type of seating arrangement used depends on the age of the students, the teaching style and the types of activities planned.
3. Decrease high-traffic areas. These spaces include group areas, bookshelves, computer workstations, pencil sharpener's and teachers desk. Congestion in these areas can cause disturbances in the classroom. A good way to decreased obstruction is by separating these locations as much as possible, while still being accessible.
4. Make educational material easily accessible. Easy access to work books, textbooks and supplies through a well-designed library and storage area cuts down on disruptions and makes the classroom run smoother. A classroom library must be organized and welcoming to the students. Displays need to invite the students to touch, read and write while knowing how, where and when to do it.
5. Observe classrooms. If you are working within existing classroom, observe the students and staff in that setting. Make notes on what works and what does not work well. Make changes based on your observations. Begin the cycle again once your lesson plans and goals have been achieved.
Illustrate the cracks in the Earth's crust with food.
Conduct edible environmental activities with fourth-grade students to inspire their taste for geology. Employ several methods to discuss and illustrate the layers of the Earth's crust. Adjust the model to illustrate the current area of focus for your students. Food serves as a universal unifier to help teachers engage students in the lesson material.
Boiled Egg Method
Utilize a boiled egg as a simple, low-cost method of illustrating the composition of the Earth. The hard shell of the egg is like the thin, hard crust on top. The large white inside is like the mantle of the Earth; the yolk is the core. Explain the differences between the molten mantle and the solid boiled egg white to the students. Clarify that the Earth has four layers instead of three. Boil the eggs to cut them in half for the students to view the three components. To further illustrate the concept, ask the students to roll the boiled eggs on a desk while gently pressing on them to create cracks in the shell. The resulting cracks will appear much like the plate boundaries in the Earth's crust.
Edible Earthquake Method
Gather different types of candy to show students how the earth's crust moves during earthquakes. Explain that different types of rock in the earth's crust react differently to the movement of the plates on the Earth's crust that cause earthquakes. Use gum and candy bars to illustrate how plate tectonics produce cracks in the crust in some places but not in others. Hold two opposite ends of a piece of gum. Press them in toward each other to show what happens when the plates on the Earth's crust collide. Pull the ends of the gum apart to show what happens when the plates separate. Hold opposite ends of the gum, move one end of the gum forward while moving the other backward along the same horizontal plane to show plate sliding movement. Repeat the same activity with a candy bar showing how the rock types--soft or hard--affect the final result of the plate movements.
Gelatin Model Method
Create a layered gelatin dessert topped with graham cracker crumbs to represent the layers of the Earth and the crust. Layer three different gelatin flavors in different colors. The graham crackers represent the crust. Inform the students that the crust is much smaller than any of the other layers of the Earth. Note that the gelatin is cold, but the layers of the Earth are hot inside. The one exception in terms of heat is the crust on which we live.
Sandwich Cookie Subduction
Show students how subduction happens when an oceanic plate of the Earth's crust is thrust under a continental plate. Pull the two halves of a sandwich cookie apart. Use the side of the cookie that contains the most cream filling. Hold the cookie with the cream filling side up. Insert the cookie into your mouth, sliding your upper teeth over the filling. The cream filling will build up on your teeth. The motion illustrates the concept of subduction.
This experiment works with frosted cookies as well. The student holds the cookie with the frosting side up. The frosting represents sediment on the ocean floor. The student's teeth are the base of the continental plate. The student scrapes the frosting off the cookie with her teeth, showing how sediments from the ocean end up along the plate boundary, building up coastal land.
There are a few scales of hardness in materials science, including the Mohs scale and the absolute hardness scale. Different materials find their place on the scales by what materials can scratch them, and by what materials they can scratch. The type of measurement techniques can yield different measures of hardness, as a small sample of a heterogeneous material is not necessarily representative of the bulk of that material. Nano-indentation methods are used to sample the hardness of a sample by applying a very small force and measuring the indentation.
Instructions
1. Set the material to be tested in a Rockwell testing device.
2. Apply the minor load. This is a small load, usually 10 kg, that is applied via a small steel ball or diamond cone used to make an impression in the material. This impression will serve as a seat for the major load.
3. Apply the major load once the minor load has been lifted from the sample. This is a 100 kg load with the same steel ball, or up to 150 kg with the diamond tip.
4. Measure the difference between the indentations of the major load and the minor load. This will give you a hardness rating on the Rockwell scale. There are no units on this scale.
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