Space X Tests Falcon Heavy Rocket

Why does this matter?

This is the first rocket launch in nearly an age that is designed to send humans into interstellar space. The last time this was done was when the United States sent astronauts to the moon in 1972 aboard the Saturn V rocket.


Unfortunately the Apollo missions were cancelled after Apollo 17 due to the immense cost of the program which was mostly due to the cost of actually launching the rockets themselves. This is where the private company Space X has made a massive breakthrough in cost reduction. Whereas with the Apollo missions the rocket boosters were dropped into the ocean to never be used again, Space X has developed a rocket booster that can be reused... but not without much testing and failures.


Now, with the success of this launch, it looks like we have a viable and affordable way to start sending humans into space... feel free to skip to about 27 minutes to watch the rocket launch and the recovery of the boosters. Also, the payload (cargo) of this rocket is quite fascinating.



Check out the livestream of the "cargo" below.


Bonus!

Partnerships for the UN Sustainable Development Goals C1.2

 Link to the official UN website for our goal!

     Why do partnerships matter?


Groups and responsibilities:
Group 1: Poster
Agostina, Sebastian, Octavio
-Your group must create a poster that advertises the main aspects of our goal. Why does it matter? What can people do to help achieve this goal? Who must be involved to make the goal work? What are the targets for this goal?

-

Group 2: Activity/Game/Interactive '
Emilia, Angi, Andrea, Flor
- You may create a game or another type of interactive activity that challenges people to learn about why this goal matters and what can be done to help achieve it. Creativity is a must. Have fun!



Group 3: Presentation
Andre, Valentina, Ignacio, Constanza
- For the presentation please find an app or some other technology that makes this goal easier to achieve and create a short presentation about how it works and ways that people can contribute to its success.

-

C1.2 Debate: Should University Education be "Free"?

On the FOR side:
Sebastian
Abril
Franco
Macarena
Agostina
Angi
Eugenia

And on the AGAINST side:
Gabriel
Andre
Valentina
Francheska
Emilia
Octavio
Andrea
Ignacio

A google search for "effects of free university education" will turn up many results. 

Articles from various newspapers and websites.

University worth the cost?

Germany axed tuition fees – but is it working out?

How free college tuition in one country exposes unexpected pros and cons

College in Sweden is free but students still have a ton of debt. How can that be?

Points for both sides to consider

Data on College Costs in the USA

Opinion on Student Loan Debt

Info on College Debt Repayment

How much money do college graduates make?

Costs of going to a university in the USA

Where does college tuition go?!

Long article full of pros and cons. 

College related vocabulary

BOTH TEAMS PLEASE READ THE SECTION TITLED "CONDUCTING A DEBATE" IN THE FOLLOWING LINK ---------------> Debate Rules

C1.3 Consumerism Podcast Project

1. Find a podcast that explores the history and effects of a particular good or service. (Try to find one that is at least 25 minutes.)

2. Listen to the episode and take notes on what the presenters say on the topic you've chosen.

3. Summarize their episode, both the facts and their opinions, should they express them, into a 5-8 minute presentation.

4. Include your own views and add information from other sources or express other views as needed.

5. Make a Kahoot. (Make your Kahoot by clicking here.) You will present your Kahoot at the end of your presentation.

Possible podcasts:

THE DOLLOP!

RADIOLAB!

THIS AMERICAN LIFE!

99% INVISIBLE

Smartphone addiction!

Wildlife Project C1.2

The passenger pigeon, hunted to extinction. 

Groups

1. Gabriel / Octavio / Sebastian - Cottontop Tamarin

2. Arienne / Salma / Macarena - Vicuna

3. Franco / Valentina / Agostina - Snow Leopard

4. Andre / Andrea / Francheska - Quokka

5. Valentina / Ignacio / Emilia - Pudu

6. Abril / Eugenia - Sea Turtle

Issues your presentation should address. 

1. What kinds of behavior does the species exhibit? What does it eat? Where does it live? Be specific and tell us any information you think is relevant. 

2. If the animal is endangered why is this and what is being done to save it? If the animal is not endangered what activities could damage its habitat?

3. Why is this animal important to its ecosystem? What would happen if it went extinct?

Ways to make your presentation:

Powerpoint, Google Slides (Powerpoint you can work on with others simultaneously), Prezi

After your presentation you should present your Kahoot. 5 questions will suffice. 

So, in total, your presentation should be no more than 10 minutes, including your Kahoot.

Click here to make your Kahoot!

Please find me if you have any questions. Be creative, engage your audience, and show enthusiasm!!!

C1.2 Announcements for Next Week and Videos to practice listening in different subject areas.

Hi everyone! So next week we will have some modifications to the schedule to make up for the classes we missed on Monday, January 15th. Please watch your schedules for the changes.

Now, onto some listening exercises.

Science and technology. Check out these videos if you are interested in science and technological issues that will change our world in the years to come. Check out the Kurzgesagt youtube channel for more videos.





Skepticism and critical analysis.

One of my favorite youtubers is a dude who plays a character named Captain Disillusion. His mission is to analyze online videos with a critical eye and look for things that prove or disprove the claims the video makes. Check his videos out and remember to love with you heart and use your head for everything else!



American Politics

John Oliver is one of my favorite satirists and he also does a fairly decent job explaining American politics in a way that anyone can understand. Enjoy his take on the Trump Presidency so far.



Enjoy! Browse youtube! Find some people you find interesting and subscribe to their channels!!!

Communication! Does privacy exist? What is the state of surveillance in the world?

Hey everyone! Check out these short documentaries and news stories related to communication and surveillance in the larger world. This first video (<------ Link to video here) comes from the BBC where a journalist goes to Guiyang, China to experience one of the worlds most sophisticated surveillance systems. Would you trust people in your government to have this level of power?



Next please watch the following documentary from VICE news about what other abilities governments all over the world have to spy on ordinary citizens like ourselves. In what ways do governments around the world use these technologies? How do they make you feel?


And lastly, if you would like to delve deeper into this topic please watch the following segment from John Oliver's HBO political satire and news show Last Week Tonight. This segment comes from April of 2015 so things may have changed since then.