Homework Task

Task One, Post One: Improve your writing skills: Complete a piece of writing and submit it for publishing in a writing competition. 

http://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/competitions/storyEntry.pdf

Current Events 9

What are androids?

Androids are human-looking robots. They think, talk, and make action like humans do in everyday life. 

Name the three robots Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has created for the 'Android: What is Human' exhibition? What are their respective roles?

Two females, an adult (Ononaroid), a child (Kodomoroid) , and a small baby-like robot (Telenoid). They can have conversations with people, helping to make them less "creepy." Kodomoroid can recite news articles, and speak several different languages, in different voices ranging from a high pitched girls voice to a low mans voice. Telenoid can hug people and engage in short conversations. 

Why are androids more difficult to build then normal robots?

They have to make everything a human has, for example, the teeth. Then they have to carefully mold and paint the android to look like a normal human. After that they have to program it carefully to make actions like a human, and also think like a human. 

Some people believe android robots are cool. Others think they are a little creepy. What side are you on? Why?

I am kind of a fence sitter. I think it is pretty cool to be able to make a robot that can think like a human, but I also wouldn't want to have a conversation with one of them.  It is unnatural.

http://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/21/japanese-scientist-builds-robots-that-look-eerily-human

Current Events 8

Why did Direct Blinds ask people to post pet pictures on their Facebook page?

Direct Blinds asked people to post naughtiest photos on their facebook page of their pet for a competition. It was about who has the naughtiest, or most mischievous pet.

What title did Yodie win? What did he do to deserve it?

Yodie, a german shepard and keeshond cross won the title Britain's Naughtiest Pet, and his owner got 500 pounds and some free custom blinds. He was left alone at home, and decided to attack all of the pillows in the house, tearing them apart and spreading the contents around the house. 

What are the 2nd and 3rd place winners known to do frequently?

The second place winner, Harry, was known to tear apart newspapers and magazines. The third place winner, Stoops, a black cat, used to get into the fridge to lick the cold milk bottles.

What is the naughtiest thing that you have seen or heard a pet do?

My cat taunts my dog, and then when the dog comes over she attacks it, chasing it around the yard. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/23/video-of-the-week-british-competition-honors-naughty-pets

Current Events 7

Who was responsible for making Nathan's hot dog contest famous? How many hot dogs did he eat?

In 2001, Takeru Kobashi ate 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, it gained international fame. 

How many years has Joey Chestnut won the contest prior to this year? What significant event occurred before the contest began?

Joey Chestnut had won seven times before this year. Before the contest started, Joey proposed to his girlfriend. 

What happened in the women's contest?

Three-time defending women's champion Sonya Thomas did not fare as well. She was defeated by Miki Sudo from Las Vegas, who inhaled 34 frankfurters, far outpacing Sonya's mark.

What in your opinion makes food eating contests like these so popular (a) with contestants (b) with viewers?

I think that it's popular because the contestants get to stuff as much food in, and get money for it if they win. I think it's a fairly rewarding contest. 

I think it's interesting for  the viewers to watch this event. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/7/joey-chestnut-wins-hot-dog-eating-contest-for-eighth-consecutive-year

Bali Inquiry

These baskets that are left all over the streets in Bali are offerings to their gods. They are called Canang Sari. It is a sort of ritual where they give back to the gods what they give to them. They do it for the gratitude of life. Offering apparently pleases spirits, and brings health and prosperity to the giver. There is many different types of offerings, as in if you have had good food, you might leave some food in a basket. Leaving these all over the streets is very natural to the people of Bali, and it is an honour to offer them.

School in Bali starts at a later age than in NZ (7), until the age of 15. School is free for public schools. However, parents must buy books, stationary, uniform, and additional funds for school outings. Religion based, international, and national plus schools are not free. Schools go from Primary (6-12 years) to Secondary (13-15 years) to Higher Education (University, Institute).

The fish are called Garrarufa Fish, or a more common name, Doctor Fish. They eat the bacteria and dead skin off your feet with their gums. They release a substance called Dithlanol. It helps to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It also helps with blood circulation and makes your face look healthier and smoother. Doctor Fish is one of the best ways to help you to relax.

Batik is an art that is becoming increasingly more popular. It is made using wax and dye. To make a batik, selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them, and then dried. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. This process can be repeated to make a colourful cloth.

The Saraswati Temple in Ubud was made to honour Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and the arts, who has clearly given her blessing to Ubud. This temple is very beautiful and artistic, so many tourists come to see its charm, but some come for purposes of worship. There are weekly dance performances by night; by day painters set up easels.

Term 2 PMI

P: 
I am happy with how my maths is coming along, because I have learnt a lot and am heaps better now.
My literacy is still at high levels, and I am hoping to get into the extension class at Girls College.
I had lots of fun at Science Tech and Electronics Tech.
I finished my Science Fair, and liked how it looked and worked

M:
I didn't participate in the cross country due to my chest infection.
There was no sporting activities that I wanted to do this term, like volleyball.

I:
I enjoyed doing my ICAS tests, and am still anticipating the results.
It was fun when the attitude speaker came and talked to the school about making friends.
I am enjoying the times in class when I get to read and I have finished many over this term.
I didn't get any marks for Science Fair but it was fun.

Current Events 6

Questions

How many years ago were these cavemen alive?

Where did they live?

What was traces of found in the poo?

What type of plants were found in the poo?

Who was one of the students who researched on the study?

In what did they find plant microfossils? 

Who are their close evolutionary cousins? 

Answers

1. 50,000

2. Southern Spain

3. Traces of meat

4. Plants, such as tubers, berries, and nuts.

5. Anaira Sistiaga

6. Neanderthal teeth

7. Homo sapiens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/28001703