My Roller Coaster Website

The Racer

Rollercoaster Class Blog

For the past week, our class has been working on rollercoasters. These rollercoasters were made out of paper tubes and milk cartoons. We had to “buy” the paper tubes with our Omega Money. The requirements for our coaster were to have at least three hills and one other rollercoaster aspect.
Before we began building, we planned out where everything should be placed and how many different items we probably needed. We also drew a sketch to get an idea of how our rollercoaster should look like. The next few days, we worked on building our coaster. As we worked, what made me laugh the most is that we had to use a lot of duck tape. Soon, the teacher started to give us the tape pieces for free. Ha-Ha!!!!

After we finished making our roller coaster, we were supposed to fill out a packet that contained essential questions. Some questions were: how were Newton’s laws used and how friction and force were used. This led us to our next project: making a website for our roller coaster. This website had to have the answers for these questions in it. We were allowed to choose our own template and order of pages, but we had to fulfill the requirements given by our teacher to get a good grade. You could visit my website if you would like to.

I thought that building the rollercoaster was really fun. Since we were doing it with our friends who we chose, the roller coaster creation was made more entertaining. Plus, we learned and used Newton’s laws of motion in a creative way. I also liked making a website for our rollercoaster. We could experiment with lot of things like the font size and color and other fun things. It was a thrilling experience!
Other than that I learned more about the Newton’s laws of motion (Physics subject), making of rollercoasters and the working of roller coasters from other sites.

Some facts that I learned:

*Howstuffworks
The first American roller coaster was the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway, which was built in the mid-1800s in PA.

*Wikipedia
Newton’s laws of motion were first published in July 5, 1687.

International News: S.S

Richest Countries to the Rescue!!!!

The richest countries in the world have decided to fix the economy. They have come forward together to save our economy from worry.

A group of seven countries have met to restore the global financial system. I got this information from cnn. The seven richest countries are the United States, Germany, Japan, Britain, Canada, Italy and France. Italy had hosted this year’s meeting, which occurred on the 14th of February. The meeting, which was held in Rome, lasted for two days. During the meeting, the finance ministers from the seven countries concentrated on the solutions to this crisis. The Treasury Secretary of United States, Timothy Geithner attended the meeting. Geithner told other finance ministers that the world needed to focus on stabilizing and strengthening financial systems. The seven administrators also talked about economic policies and the function of the markets. Another thing the group emphasized was, and I quote, “An open system of global trade and investment is indispensable for global prosperity". In addition to all these issues, Geithner picked up a subject that has been on the mind of many Americans, the recovery package. He told the other six ministers that the $787 billion package was agreed by the U.S Senate and was going to be used to boost the economy. He also told them that, and I quote, “the package provides a very powerful mix of investments and tax cuts to create jobs and to strengthen our long-term growth potential.” The Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn expressed his happiness over the approval of the stimulus package in U.S. senate. In the end, all seven financial ministers agreed that problems of such severity should not recur.

My opinion on this subject is that the topic was writhing and was very interesting to read. I was very happy to find out that the U.S Senate had consented to the stimulus package. It was ironic to see a rich country like U.S. being hit the hardest.
One question that I am having is that does the G-7 meet every year? My second question is that are there only seven rich countries? Why not more or less? My last question is that will it be the same seven countries forever or will they change?
Even though the article was short, it had a lot of detail and information.

State News: S.S

The Incumbent Democrat and Four GOP Candidates in a Head-to-Head Battle

The four republicans and the incumbent governor are running for the post of governor of New Jersey. They are giving fiery speeches to boost their chances to run for the post of the Governor. In this week, they have attended two different forums. One forum was on the trains that led them from Newark to Washington D.C. The second forum was at a golf club, where the candidates sat together for the first time.

My first article, http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1233293197132600.xml&coll=1, is about the train ride from Newark to Washington DC. Interestingly, only one candidate came on this ride; Governor Corzine. Christopher Christie, Steve Lonegan and Rick Merkt thought that the ride was “a symbol of the state's broken insider-heavy political culture”. The other candidate, Brian Levine couldn’t come because of other obligations. Therefore, Governor Corzine ended up to be the only person from the race to attend the “Walk to Washington”. Taking this as an advantage, Corzine started speaking about the different deeds he would like to do for NJ. There was only one thing that was talked the most on the train; the absence of the four republican candidates. Many people argued that it doesn’t matter if the other candidates did not attend this. Other people, such as the Chamber of Commerce said that it was a disgrace to them. Governor Corzine said a quote that had counteracted everyone’s argument. “I think it would be a mistake for the governor of the state not to be here. It's where people come together. I don't think anybody would claim that they were ever able to influence public policy because I rode this train the last three years."

My opinion on this article is that it was very detailed and informative. This article showed every aspect of the train ride that happened, from who he sat with to what he was eating! I also thought that this article gave me a better understanding of how forums work. This article was very helpful in providing me the correct information. My question about this article is that what is the significance of the train ride?

My second article, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/gop_candidates_for_governor_cr.html, was about the forum that occurred on the last day of January. This is the first time all the candidates from Republican party sat together to discuss their thoughts. All the candidates gave fiery speeches and back-stabbed each other. The various policies implemented by Governor Corzine in NJ were criticized by four republican candidates. They felt that Corzine’s policies were hurting the small towns and communities of New Jersey. These four candidates fired their harsh comments at the governor. They criticized him for being selfish and harmful, but Corzine’s spokesman shattered their thoughts with a fiery quote. This quote was, “Governor Corzine is focused on New Jersey's economy in the middle of a national financial crisis, not partisan politics.”

My opinion on this article was that it was detailed and informative. This article was also general and straight-to–the-point. This article gave the main points or details of what happened at the golf club in Branchburg. Plus, this article demonstrated to me competition between politicians! My question about this article is that who do you think is the best candidate among these four?

National News: S.S

The Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States

The inauguration of President Obama happened on January 20, 2009. This inauguration actually started at around 10:30 am. Since morning of that day, approximately 2 million people gathered around the grounds of the National Mall in Washington D.C., Some of the past Presidents along with their families, Senators and members of Congress gathered at this historic event. The spouses of incumbent, President-Elect, Vice President-Elect arrived at the venue of the inauguration. Finally, the incumbent President and President-Elect come out to the West portico of Capitol Hill, see the gigantic crowd out in front. Everyone settled in to view, observe and take part in this historic moment. After a few greetings, the traditional ceremony began to take place. First, two musical selections were played. Then, the chairman of the Inaugural committee, Diane Feinstein, did the welcoming remarks. After her remarks, she handed it over to Dr. Rick Warren, who did the Invocation. Afterwards, there was another musical selection. Joe Biden took the oath as the vice president with the help of Justice John Paul Stevens. Before the oath of the president took place, there was a musical selection. Then came the most important event of the day, the oath of the President. President Barack Hussein Obama got administered the oath of office with the courtesy of the Chief Justice of the U.S, Justice John Roberts Jr. Then the 44th President of US delivered his inaugural address. Next, we had a poem and a benediction. Lastly, the National Anthem was sung. The next big event came, which was the take-off of former president George W. Bush to Texas. Then, we had President Obama descend from the Capitol to the White House! In the evening, the Obama family attended approximately ten (10) inaugural balls.

My first article, which came from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_2009_presidential_inauguration , is about the ten different inaugural balls that the Obamas attended to. At every one of these balls, the President spoke and danced with his wife to the song “At last”. Obama asked the crowd of celebrities and supporters at the first inaugural ball, "First of all, how good looking is my wife?" The balls that he attended to were:

* The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball was the first stop of the night for the Obamas. This is also where First Lady, Michelle Obama revealed her inaugural gown.

* The President Obama Home States Ball which was held at the Walter Washington Convention Center. The guests came from the Obama hometown states, Hawaii and Illinois.

* The Commander-in-Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum. Military families, duty members of the U.S military, families that their loved ones were lost in the war and families that have their loved ones deployed to overseas for military purposes came to this party.
* The Eastern Ball at the Union Station. Many people from New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and other places came over to celebrate.
* The Mid-Atlantic Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Many people from New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland and other places came to celebrate here with the Obamas and Bidens.

* The Midwestern Ball was also held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Many people from Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and many other places attended at this inaugural Ball.
* The Southern Ball at the D.C Armory center. The attendees came from Tenneesse, Florida, Lousiana, Kentucky and many other places.
* The Vice President Biden Home States Ball also took place at the Washington Convention Center. This ball featured people who came from the Biden hometown states, Delaware and Pennslyvania.

* The Western Ball also took place at the Walter Washington Convention Center. The invited guests came from California, Oregon, Nevada, Alaska and many other places.
* The last ball was the Youth Ball held at the Washington Hilton and Towers. This ball was created especially for young people of eighteen to thirty-five years of age.

My opinion on this article is just wow! I would be extremely tired by the end of all these Balls. Plus, it is soooo cool how a few balls specifically invitees of the different regions of the U.S. I thought that was cool. I think that was really cool how they had a specific ball for every region of the country.Then they also had a special ball for the hometown states of the President and Vice president. I have a question about the importance of these inaugural balls. That is, what and why these inaugural balls occur on this specific day? Luckily, most of the balls were held at the Walter Washington Convention Center. So, the Obamas didn’t get tired going around Washington D.C.

My second article, which came from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22oath.html?scp=1&sq=I%20Really%20Do%20Swear,%20Faithfully:%20Obama%20and%20Roberts%20Try%20Again&st=cse is about the President and the Chief Justice redoing the oath. The presidential oath, right from the Constitution, is:

I do solemnly swear(or affirm)that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The President and the Chief Justice have decided to re-do the oath since they had messed up the words during the oath at the Capitol. They did this oath in the Map Room at 7:35 pm the day after the Inauguration. At the Capitol, the Chief justice accidently said, “ I will execute the Office of the President of the United States faithfully”. The mistake in this was that the word faithfully is supposed to go between will and execute. When the Chief Justice asked if Obama was ready, Obama said,” I am, and we’re going to do it very slowly.” There were only nine people who were present when the President re-did the oath.

My opinion on this article is that it was interesting. I thought it was awkward, how the Chief Justice knew his mistake but still continued. The White House counsel, Gregory B Craig, said. “But the oath appears in the Constitution itself, and out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time.” I also thought it was funny when the article said that even at the re-do, the Chief Justice still stumbled over the word “execute”. My question about this article is that do you need to do the oath with a Bible in hand? Also, why the Chief Justice did not have a prepared note of the the oath which was accepatable to have and use the note to adminster the oath?

Extra, Extra, Read All About It

Extra Credit: Virtual Tour + Vlog

For more information, please visit http://www.lbm.go.jp/english/

Class Blog 3: Catch the Wave

In class, we did a lab called Catch the Wave. This lab was done with three other students in my class as a group.
The tools/materials that were needed:

*foil pan
*water
*foam ball
*fabric ball

First we needed to fill half of the foil pan with water. Then with a pencil, we needed to touch the surface of the water at one end of the pan. We needed to do this twice each second for a minute. Afterwards, we had to place the foam ball in the center of the pan. Then, we had to take the pencil that we used before and touch the surface of the water (do this twice per second for a minute). The result from the tapping of the pencil is that the foam ball had floated in the direction of the waves, toward the other side of the pan. Then, we took out the foam ball and replaced it with a fabric ball. We did the same thing again (the tapping with the pencil). The result for the fabric ball was interesting. Once, we placed the fabric ball in the center, it just sunk to the bottom. So, the tapping with the pencil didn’t make the ball move, at all.

The three facts that I learned from this lab are:
*Since water is denser than air, water can only carry objects lighter than itself.
* The foam ball moved because of the movement of the pencil and other variables such as the air around the pan.
* Anything that touches water can make a wave.

My opinion on this lab is that it was interesting to do. It helped me to have a better understanding of waves and their movement. This was a fun and dripping experience!

Some interesting facts:
* There is another type of wave! It is called a ripple. A ripple is a combination of a transverse and longitudinal wave.
* A wave can be split up by a frequency. This is called dispersion.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waves