Earth Day Links

Go through this site to determine your carbon footprint.
http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/features/carbon-calculator.html
http://www.ecologyfund.com/ecology/res_bestfoot.html
http://footprint.stanford.edu/calculate.html


Click "Get Started", then "I'm New", then enter your nickname.
For your school, type in Lansing, wait for the scroll down menu and click:
Lansing Current, Lansing, KS
-Now answer all the questions until all the white dots have turned black.
-Whenever Goals appear, read and check if you are willing to do that.
-Look at your results when you finish.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0bEOfA0j4c to watch this video.

Solar Cookers, DIY Air Conditioners

Lots of Solar Cooker Ideas

DIY Air Conditioner Ideas

Trash collection tool

Build your own trash collection tools, and test them out cleaning up an area that contains litter.  Think back to when we made the prosthetic hands, and you may already have some ideas on how to get this started.

DIY - Heavy Duty Pole Grabber

 I know you probably don't have a 3-D printer, but this might provide you with some design ideas.
3-D Printer Grabber Ideas

 Plans for mechanical grabber created by a Girl Scout troup.

Grabber Claw using KNex


Okay, now leave Elmo out of this one!  However, it might provide you with some ideas to help with a trash collector claw.
Giant Cardboard Claw

Composting

Another idea for your Make A Difference Project, with lots of design options...

Mini Compost Bin
Different Types of Composting
Don't want you to purchase, but may provide a design idea.
Indoor Composting
Compost Tumbler

Make A Difference Project Possibilities

Many of these designs may be too large or too expensive for your Make A Difference Project, but you might be able to make some smaller models using materials you can find for free and test out different versions.



Solar Heaters
This site contains lots of reviews and information about solar heaters using aluminum cans.
7 Reviews on Solar Heaters




Rain Barrels
Rain Barrel DIY
Rain Barrel Designs
More Rain Barrels


Wind Turbine
Video: Mini Wind Turbine
Video: Vertical Axis Windmill Idea
Kid Wind - Ideas for wind turbine designs - I don't expect you to buy these kits, but this might provide some ideas for how to create your own from other materials.


Mini-Greenhouse
Small greenhouse ideas

Self-Watering Planters

Here are a few ideas for how to make self-watering planters.  This is just one option that you may choose for your Make a Difference Project.  Many contain materials that you may already have at home, while some may require investing a bit of money.  Remember, you do not have to spend a cent to make this project, but you can purchase materials, if your parents agree.  Also, many require power tools and will require some assistance from an adult.

2-liter Plastic Bottles
2-liter bottle planter, plus other ideas

5 Gallon Buckets
5-gallon bucket instructions

18 Gallon Tote
18-Gallon Tote Instructions with Video

Variety of Ideas
Several Ideas for Self Watering planters

Glass Bottles
Glass bottle planter from Pinterest
Video to cut bottle for glass bottle planter
This needs to be done at home (with parent help!!!) if you decide to try this.

Genetic Engineering

Directions: Read several of the following articles, and/or watch the videos that are of greatest interest to you.  On your own paper write the subject and a couple of sentences about each to explain what you have learned or what was surprising to you.  Then write a paragraph explaining your opinion(s) on genetic engineering.

Genetically Modified Food 
http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/organic-vs-gmo-2436.html?source=glmore

Regenerating Body Parts                                                           
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/big-idea/organ-regeneration-text
 

Curing Alzheimer’s                                  http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/29113.aspx

Gene Therapy to Cure Cancer                  
http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/32921.aspx

Genetic Engineering Debates
http://debates.juggle.com/is-it-appropriate-for-animals-to-undergo-genetic-modification

 

Disadvantages of genetic engineering                                 http://www.ehow.com/video_5112330_dangers-genetic-engineering.html

Why do scientist use genetic engineering?                                http://www.ehow.com/video_5112331_do-scientists-use-genetic-engineering_.html

How is genetic engineering performed?                              http://www.ehow.com/video_5112336_genetic-engineering-performed_.html

What is the purpose of genetic engineering in plants? http://www.ehow.com/video_5112339_purpose-genetic-engineering-plants.html

 

You will need to search "genetic engineering" to find a variety of videos and articles from this site
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=48150967-D733-4860-A3C4-3C849325D022&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Genes, Genetics, DNA https://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/00F1DB2E-B615-467B-B7AC-16F2AD7CA601

https://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=genetic+engineering&N=18342&N=4294924486&N=4294939062

https://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/3998E370-BF57-4051-8CAB-905820BFC362