Bioethanol/Biodiesel

For the bioethanol lab, we went to the Willet Science Center to create our own homemade bioethanol. The process is much easier than one would think. We took banana fibers and ground them up in a blender, then added yeast. With a balloon attached to a pipe that was placed inside the closed container, we were able to observe the process of fermentation that took place inside the container.  

Here you can see the process of bioethanol that takes place, which results in a sustainable cycle.

The goal of using bioethanol is to create a sustainable energy source that helps the environment, compared to petroleum. The banana fibers are a leftover product in the harvest of the banana, and with its continued use after harvest, we are able to make a fuel source that derives from the CO2 emitted from cars. This cycle is fascinating, as it allows for a continuous cycle of renewable and sustainable energy that does not hurt the environment. 

Soils/Rocks

For this lab, we observed the many rocks and soils present around the world and present in our home state of Georgia. First, there are 12 soil orders in the world, represented by this map:

As you can see in the map, the soil orders are dispersed throughout the world, with numerous soil orders found in all regions of the world. By analyzing this map, we can see that the soil found in a region heavily depends on climate and location. 

For Georgia, our most prevalent soil found is Ultisols. Ultisols are a big name for what Georgians call red clay. Living in Georgia, the red clay found in most soils and dirt have affected our lives in some shape or form. One negative about Ultisols is the poor farming quality of the soil. It is tough to farm and harvest crops in Ultisols soil, unless accompanied by heavy fertilizer. The red clay also is known for staining a lot of our favorite jeans when playing outside as children. 

There are also many kinds of Rocks found in Georgia, but the one that we have been told to learn about is the Micacesous Schist. 

The mica is what makes the rock appear sparkly and shiny in nature. This rock is a metamorphic rock, which means the rock has changed composition over time due to a number of factors. 

Mystery of the Megaflood

The Mystery of the Megaflood documentary we watched for lab was about the Channeled Scablands in Lincoln County, Washington and how the amazing structures were made by a crazy event known as the Megaflood.

Here are the Scablands in Lincoln County, a result of an amazing natural phenomenon. 

Most canyons similar to this are formed over thousands of years by erosion, which could be as simple as a river carving out the landscape. However, in the case of the Scablands, this is not what happened. A huge flood, originating from the Missoula Valley, rushed through the area, quickly eroding the landscape to create what we now see as the Scablands. In the Missoula Valley, a massive glacier served as a dam for a river in the valley. When that glacier gave way, the enormous amount of water built up came surging through the area of Lincoln Country, creating the landscape that we see today. The theory surrounding the Scablands was in question for many years, however scientists today agree that this epic flood which was the effect of a glacier dam caused this natural formation. One of the most interesting parts of the documentary was the demonstration that the film makers used, reenacting the flood and showing how the water could create such a formation. 

Ocmulgee River

                                   

This picture above shows the transect of the Ocmulgee River in the Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway, where the Ocmulgee river flows through. This community park is a great part of Macon, where people can walk the park, walk their dogs, play in the grass, or simply observe the River. 

For our lab, we took elevation measurements in the river along with flow rate measurements using an orange. This lab was a blast because we were able to get in the water and do hands-on measurements that helped us understand the landscape of the river.  

Trees

Pecan Tree

Pecan Trees are found around Georgia, and are easily found around the southeast. The nuts that come off the tree, the Pecan, are a famous crop that Georgia is known for. The Pecan is a source of income for many citizens of Georgia. An interesting fact about the Pecan Tree is that no two Pecan Trees are similar, as they vary greatly from their parent tree. 

Oak Tree

There are over 600 variations of the Oak Tree, and the Oak Tree can be found all over North America and Asia, making it one of the most abundant tree species. The Oak Tree lives in mostly colder climates, as they do not grow near deserts or tropical climates. Their leaves are distinct, spiral shapes leaves. 

Southern Magnolia

The Southern Magnolia are known for their large, white flowers that blossom on the tree. These flowers have a very distinct smell that most people love. This tree is famous at the Augusta National Golf Course, where the Master's Tournament is played. The Southern Magnolia is considered a staple of the southern culture. 

Larch

The Larch Tree is found in colder climates around North America and Europe, similar to the Oak Tree.. They can grow anywhere from 20-45 meters tall, and are classified as a conifer tree.