January Update

So this week I put together my water/air powered car, unfortunately my camera card isn't letting my pictures off, so I'll upload those once it decides to function again.
I also watched a documentary that I checked out from Addlestone called "The End of Oil." Which was about our current energy path and how it's effecting the planet.
I also continued reading about the benefits of nuclear energy. Something that really surprised me while reading was that we know more about radioactive hazards than biological or chemical ones, which makes me somewhat upset, because we would get much more upset if we had to visit a nuclear power plant on a field trip as opposed to a chemistry lab. The more I read of this particular book, the more I feel that our stereotypes towards nuclear power are unjust and unfounded, but I'll try to keep an open mind and keep you updated!

Nuclear Energy, Friend or Foe

Thus far every book I have read has only had negative things to say about nuclear energy. I decided that this wasn't a fair way to look at it and I realized I wouldn't be able to have a true understanding of all forms of energy if I didn't make an attempt to read books that have authors with positive views towards nuclear power. I've begun reading "Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy." I really like it. I've barely begun but it's really given me some perspective on why nuclear energy is a viable solution to the world's energy problems. Something that I found really startling was that the physical waste from a lifetime of energy use (at the American standard) powered by nuclear energy would take up the same amount of waste as a coke can, while the same energy use powered by fossil fuels would take up the same amount of space as a train that spaced three times the distance between Los Angeles and New York City.

Wow!

January Meeting!

Tomorrow I have my January meeting with Ms. Hughes! I've finished my reflection paper and I've selected some awesome new titles for this month! I also read a bit of As the World Burns this week and I continued reading out of my Addlestone books. My new titles are about nuclear energy, but the authors have a much more positive view on nuclear energy than the authors of the other books I have read. I also ordered an introduction to engineering kit that will allow me to build my own mini-hydroelectric power harvester and my own little windmill. I hope that will help me to understand the concepts of how alternative energy functions. I'll probably take some pictures throughout the process and post them next week!  I also plan for an Addlestone visit tomorrow afternoon and hopefully I'll come across something really interesting.

Christmas Break Progress

I read a lot of my Addlestone books over break and learned a lot of interesting things, including how energy efficient light-bulbs work, which surprised me. I thought it was a bit hard to explain, but I'll probably try to do so in my reflection paper. I also read a lot of As the World Burns. I'm going to write my reflection paper this week, wrap up my work with the Addlestone books on engineering, and hopefully find some great new titles! I'll keep you posted! Hope you had great holidays!