Self-Assessment Survey

I really like hands-on learning. I know most people probably say this and then complain about going out to the Garden or doing Honors projects, but I sincerely love immersing myself and seeing the applicable, tangible side of what I'm learning. I definitely understand your passion for things like botany and the many facets of environmental science, but I can see that most of the class is not as enthused about the science as you are. In reality, their sentiments are unjust and from my conversations with the rest of the class I think the main complaint is that the workload is more than was previously expected. Unfortunately, expectations are powerful things when it comes to most aspects of life and when my fellow classmates and I realized we would have to work harder than we'd thought, well...it didn't go over too well. Nonetheless, as I've said before, I think that the pedagogy is good, the workload informative, and am personally grateful for the opportunities you've given me.

Contrary to the capabilities of the most competent teacher, it takes the interest and token effort of each and every student to achieve classroom goals like cleaning up and maintaining the garden, working on different projects, and creating an amazing exhibition. Luckily, at High Tech High Media Arts, despite the occasional grumblings and murmurs about certain homework assignments and classes, in the end I am confident that all of my classmates are giving a token effort and trying despite their distaste for some aspects of different classes (the specifics of which I'm not sure of).

My experience in Environmental Science has been awesome so far. Although I have not been able to go out to the Garden as much as I'd hoped and though sometimes it's hard to juggle class projects with being gone at my internship, I still have enjoyed what we've learned and the observational aspect of our work. In my lab, I'm performing experiments with bioluminescent organisms that have already been well documented and observed in their natural habitats. This means that although the results can be very intriguing, there isn't any field work involved. The Life in a Cubic Foot project makes up a little for the field work that isn't part of my internship. Of course, it doesn't involve documenting anything novel, just identifying and documenting what has already been discovered--nonetheless, it certainly is better than nothing and I've definitely had a fun time doing it.

Lastly, I would just like to say that the ability to go into my internship twice a week in the afternoons is an amazing opportunity that I would only be able to do in Lia's class at High Tech. Continuing my experiments and learning from the other research that's conducted is one of the best learning experiences I've ever had, and I'm grateful to continue my internship throughout the school year, or at least this semester.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Style and Structure

How is the book organized? Which primary rhetorical mode does it employ, and
does that mode serve the author’s purpose? How would you define the author’s
style? Which rhetorical choices does the author use often, and are they effective?
Address the author’s point of view (1st, 2nd or 3rd person) as well.

The book is organized into three parts--Industrial, Pastoral, and Personal--which address processed food, big organic, and the ideal meal. Throughout he relates his personal experiences in his journey to find the natural history of four meals that he has: the McDonald's meal, a Big Organic meal, a Beyond Organic Alternatively farmed meal, and a meal hunted, gathered, grown, and prepared solely by him. His search for the truth is genuine, which allows the reader to come to the same realizations Pollan does as the book develops and gives a sense of connection and understanding when he puts his two cents in. His arguments are backed up by scientific data and supported by a comprehensive, if albeit biased, analysis of the benefits and detriments of American food culture. Through antithesis he compares the good and the bad elements of different food systems and places them in the context of society today. This method is very compelling, and he is never afraid to state his opinion loud and clear after arguing a point. Moreover, his 1st person narrative is equally compelling because, as stated before, the audience can relate and it makes for a more in-depth, thought-evoking analysis without letting the writing become dry and boring.

Life in a Cubic Foot Pictures

Pictures by Jackie and Noah

Mr. Tiddlywinks

Mr. Tiddlywinks is a prime young specimen of, presumably, the Sparganophilus genus. They are native to North America and characterized by their long thin bodies. These are true earthworms (segmented, slightly "hairy," and girdled) and they dwell in mud near a consistent supply of water. Naturally, due to an earthworm's complex vascular system they usually aim themselves downwards in the soil, eating the organic matter below and placing their posteriors nearer the surface where there is potentially more oxygen to absorb through their skin, which can range in color from dark brown to pinkish to even green and blue. Another interesting thing to note is that earthworms are hermaphrodites and some (not all) species have some amazing regenerative properties.



Bernard


There is a very strong possibility that Bernard is a Mythimna unipuncta larva; that is, a caterpillar that will eventually become a White-Speck Moth. These moths are common worldwide, except in Austalia and Siberia, and feed on a variety of grasses. The True Armyworms can grow up to 35mm and usually overwinter (cease activity and feeding and wait out the cold or dry conditions), metamorphosing in Spring.


Professor Pea Body

 
Professor Pea Body certainly has a body smaller than a pea, but this is typical of the often 3mm long dark Argentine ants that have invaded the Southern Californian landscape, far from their South American homes. Linepithema humile has become the predominant ant species in many Mediterranean climates over the past decade. In fact, these ants have spread to six continents and numerous islands. Argentine ants don't compete with other colonies of the same species, which allows them to quickly form "supercolonies," start new colonies with one queen and several workers, and bother the heck out of the humans that unintentionally spread them around the globe. The ants have chewing mouth parts with mandibles and even a tongue for liquid. They have distinct, elbowed geniculate antennae and two nodes behind their thorax, giving them a waist that many a female would be jealous of.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Tone

Michael Pollan is very frank and forthcoming throughout the book, even if he does at times wax poetic. However, his digressions often consist of very moving analogies and motivate the reader to ask themselves those fundamental foodie questions: what am I really eating and where does it really come from? In a sense, he plays the food critic who, as a connoisseur of higher food culture, judges what we eat on its taste and aesthetic. However, as an investigative journalist he takes it numerous steps further to find out where our food comes from and how it arrives on our plate. Not only does he stop there, as some documentaries like Food Inc. did, but he goes further into the history of Western Civilization and American culture to examine why we have arrived at this unhealthy, unsustainable, possibly self-destructive yet convenient and carefree food culture.

The fact that Pollan's crusade is an attempt to re-attain a normal food culture in an American lifestyle makes for easier contemplating and less radical than other books that might outright condemn meat as murder, industry as evil, and money as the Satan that caused it all. Even if those things are true, they are often presented in a very radical manner that takes away from the credibility of the argument. In Pollan's case, he does wonders for his cause by showing, not telling. Of course, his audience is the American populace at large; more specifically, it is probably those who themselves are searching for the truth behind what we eat and those who are trying to answer the question of what to eat for dinner without compromising their values or their health for that matter. Because of this, Pollan presents arguments supported by many sources and personal experiences in order to make a reasonable argument on a very controversial subject. His argument ultimately attacks all of present-day American food culture and the industrial complex that has blossomed from the dirt, grime, and sickness of the processed food industry.  The Omnivore's Dilemma is supplemented by current events (at the time), supported by scientific fact, and compelled by personal experiences and shocking observations. When the author himself goes on a journey it makes the audience much more willing to consider his case than when it is mere speculation.

Soil Lab Write Up

Abstract

Around San Diego, there are a diverse amount of soil types. The environments they’re in, how the soil is tended, and numerous other factors determine soil quality. Measuring pH level and the content of the three primary soil nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium)is one way to determine soil quality and its suitability for growing different plants.  Most soils had a low amount of nitrate, a medium amount of phosphorus, and a high amount of potassium; with mostly acidic and neutral pH levels. These trends were surprising to find considering the variety of places the soil samples were taken from.

Introduction

Most of life on earth depends on soil. It is easy to understate the necessity of testing its textural, compositional, and chemical characteristics, but it is invaluable to land ecosystems due to the fact that soil is where autotrophic land organisms (the foundation of the food chain) thrive. Our objective is to measure soil pH and nutrient content, as they are important factors in determining the quality of this complex mixture of inorganic and organic materials, microorganisms, water, and air. We will determine whether soil is acidic, neutral, or basic, and how much (if any) primary macronutrients—nitrate, phosphorous, and potassium (commonly abbreviated NPK)—it contains.

Chemical tests were performed in order to approximate the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content in various soil samples collected from around San Diego by students. The tests were conducted by adding chemical testing tablets to soil “supernatant”—water poured over the soil—and results were obtained by comparing the resulting color of the solution with color charts to approximate a reading of Low, Medium, or High.

I expect the soil to have a more acidic pH since rainwater tends to be more acidic and the nitrate content should be less since most of the soil samples are from non-fertilized and unmaintained locations. Potassium and phosphorous content might be around medium since there should be decomposing and dead organic matter in most of the soil areas.

Results & Analysis

There were four measurements taken from the soil and despite the variety of samples they all followed similar trends despite the expected outliers. Look for the trends of low Nitrate content, medium Phosphorous content, and high Potassium content, and predominately acidic to neutral pH levels.

It seems that the soil samples had a lot of organic matter in order to achieve higher levels of Phosphorous and Potassium, but not as much nitrogen fixation was occuring or the plants were using up nitrates faster than they could be replenished. Although desert soil, which is native to San Diego, often has low nutrient levels and is basic, the soil samples were more acidic and neutral which might be due to the fact that they are watered by hose and rainfall has increased in the San Diego biosphere over the last century or more.

Acidic < 7                                           Neutral = 7                                          Basic >7

Reflection

This investigation explored a necessary part of our existence I had never before considered. I was happy to find there were trends in the data despite the fact that our soil came from many places around San Diego. Also, it goes to show how complex and important soil really is. I think that the investigation went great and that people had fun doing the lab and were neither frustrated nor stumped. I didn’t see many sources for error in a text like this unless the error was a mistake on the part of the person (i.e. not following instructions…). As a result, I definitely enjoyed this lab and the knowledge it had to offer. The only thing I can say, and it is a generality for many bigger assignments in Environmental Science, is that I think an assignment description and due date should always be posted on the class blog.

Conclusion

In determining the quality of various soils from around San Diego, there was a collective realization of the amazing yet underappreciated role soil plays in the circle of life. We are dependent upon it, but it is something many take for granted. Once we performed chemical tests, I was certainly surprised at the trends we found. I expected results to be erratic, but for the most part our soil had Low levels of Nitrogen, Medium levels of Phosphorous, and High levels of Potassium, with a pH hovering around neutral or just slightly acidic.

  

Short Answer Questions

Some investigations will include short answer questions that will be answered here. When answering the questions, rewrite the question first, and then provide the answer. All questions must be numbered and answers must be typed.

1.      The proportions of what three particles are used to determine soil texture? Which of these particles has the   smallest surface area? Which has the largest?

The portions of sand, silt, and clay are used to determine soil texture. Clay has the smallest surface area, whereas sand has the largest surface area.

2.      Using the soil texture triangle (Next Page), to determine the type of soils with the following particle sizes:

a.       20% silt, 10% clay, 70% sand

Sandy loam contains 20% silt, 10% clay, and 70% sand.

b.      30% sand, 10% clay, 60% silt

Silt loam contains 30% sand, 10% clay, and 60% silt.

c.       10% silt, 50% sand, 40% clay

Sandy clay contains 10% silt, 50% sand, and 40% clay.

d.      30% clay, 30% sand, 40% silt

Clay loam contains 30% clay, 30% sand, and 40% silt.

e.       40% sand, 10% silt, 50% clay

Clay contains 40% sand, 10% silt, and 50% clay.

f.       Determine the soil type for your sample based on your % volumes.

3.      Looking at the Soil Texture Triangle (Next Page), which soil type has the greatest:

a.       water retention ability?

From looking at the Soil Texture Triangle, Clay has the greatest water retention ability.

b.      water percolation rate?

From looking at the Soil Texture Triangle, Sand has the greatest water percolation rate.

4.      What role does humus play in soil fertility?

Humus makes for fertile soil due to the fact that it is organic matter that has decomposed until it cannot break down any longer. Thus, the nutrients from this material are readily available to plants in need of them. Plant fertility is dependent upon a number of variables, but without organic matter in the soil, not only do plants not have a source of the nutrients they need to grow and reproduce, but the other living things within soil cannot thrive without humus either.

5.      Why is pH such an important aspect of soil fertility?

Soil fertility refers to the amount of nutrients and the overall ‘health’ of the soil. Therefore, the less nutrients there are, the less fertile the soil is. Certain nutrients are more readily available in certain pH levels than others. For instance, microorganisms synthesize nitrogen and sulfur better at a slightly acidic pH, creating an abundance of nitrates and sulfates for plant use. If the pH is too acidic, less nutrients will be available, which means soil fertility is negatively impacted.

6.      What are some natural sources of the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous found in soil?

We intake more Nitrogen than Oxygen every time we breathe in since earth’s atmosphere is rich in N. As a result, most nitrates in the soil originally come from the air. Potassium comes from organic materials, especially decomposed organisms, which are rich in the K that the soil absorbs. Similarly, phosphorous also comes from decomposed organisms, like bone meal. From these examples, it becomes evident how important humus is once again.

7.      How are the three primary plant nutrients used by living organisms?

Plants use the three primary plant nutrients in photosynthesis, growth, and the formation of various cell and system parts. Living organisms use Nitrogen to produce complex organic molecules; Phosphorous is essential for nucleic acids and cell energy (ATP), and plays a role in all the nervous and circulatory systems; and Potassium is vital to neurological/nervous system function.

8.      By what process is atmospheric molecular nitrogen (N2) converted into a form that plants can readily absorb through their roots? What form of nitrogen is this?

Atmospheric molecular nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH2) through a process called Nitrogen Fixation.

9.      What are some possible sources of error in this experiment?

Some possible sources of error in the experiment are that the soil was left uncovered and it is possible that organic/inorganic material was added or lost. Even pH could be affected by moisture in the room. Also, results (which are determined by visual color comparison) could be tainted by how well the soil sample settled.

10.  Evaluate the fertility of the soil used in this lab activity based upon your results.

11.  What types of vegetation does soil of the type and pH you sampled best support?

What is the Omnivore's Dilemma?

Pollan paints a gripping picture of the many different social, political, agricultural, and historical elements that play a role in the omnivore's dilemma--that is, the age old question of what to eat for dinner. The focus of this book is the modern American civilization food culture and how it is detached from the source of food through processed and packaged goods. It's purpose is to disillusion the modern omnivore by showing him or her that the food we buy and eat is the product of an illogical, unreasonable, greedy, and powerful industrial complex that encompasses even Whole Foods and most organic/free-range/drug-free/all-natural foods. With no purity or transparency in our convoluted food business complex, the conscious omnivore does have a dilemma indeed.

Thus, the Omnivore's Dilemma in the 21st Century is one based on ignorance. Society is easily swayed by this and that new food trend--fads that have had a wide range of detrimental effects not only to our health, but to our concept of what is good and bad to eat. Ironically enough, when you get to the root of America's food source, you find Zea mays, Corn, and all of the problems it brings, literally, to the table. No doubt, corn is relatively easy and cheap to grow, and we use it for every element of food--as a grain to feed us, to feed the livestock we eat, to make plastic from, to sweeten just about everything. There are a plethora of uses for it, but these easy calories and uses lead to a monoculture of corn, corn, corn. They lead to dietary consequences like Diabetes, obesity, heart disease. They lead to a ridiculous dependence on a single plant. As Pollan says in the book:

"Of all the species that have figured out how to thrive in a world dominated by Homo sapiens, surely no other has succeeded more spectacularly--has colonized more acres and bodies--than Zea mays, the grass that domesticated its domesticator."

And that is the crux of our dilemma. What do we eat for dinner? And the answer, in the Western world at least, is easily "corn." It might not compose all of our diet, but you'd be hard set to find a meal without some corn derivative in it.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Author

After looking up Michael Pollan's background, I think that he has the experience and the communication skills necessary to convey a notable opinion to the public, but he does not have the technical credential's to speak as an expert on the subject of food. Pollan is not a dietician, nutritionist, doctor, or scientist, and critics use that fact as a reason for not agreeing with his non-professional opinion. However, I think he deserves more than a little credibility due to his experience as an investigative journalist, who doesn't have degrees in the subjects he's investigating, but who obtains professional opinions on the subject from people who do. In addition, his arguments are based mostly on observation, not on conjecture or speculation like "maybe this..." or "it might...". Especially in The Omnivore's Dilemma, Pollan is exploring the socio-political implications of what we eat for dinner and the food chain in modern Western civilization in addition to analyzing dietary practices. Thus, his book encompasses a wider range of issues than diet and nutrition.

Pollan might not have any obvious biases, per say, but is just very opinionated about the things he has come to believe in. Of course, his critique of other diet and nutrition plans and even organic stores is definitely biased by what has been described as a "purist" approach by people like the CEO of Whole Foods, who wants to have as many people turn to organic, natural food as possible instead of reserving the experience only for total purists. The fact that he is somewhat of a celebrity and a known entity, a communicator to the public on important food issues, makes many overlook the fact that he is under qualified. Nonetheless, I think that his work deserves credit for being sincere and written with integrity, although his approach to the issue of food as a black and white subject is indeed faulty. The processes, availability, and affordability of food include many gray areas and one size does not fit all, which is the true omnivore's dilemma in my mind.