Sasabuchi's 100% Fresh Brew Science

Topic: Plants
Grade: 1st
Date: May 2014

Sub-Topics:
~ What is a plant?
~ Plant Structure
~ Why are plants important?
~ How to save/grow plants

What is a plant?
A plant is a living organism that gathers most of it's energy from the
sun. Some types of plants include algae, ferns, flowers, vines, bushes,
and trees. There are roughly 300 thousand species (kinds) of plants in
the world, covering 32.7% of the world (half as much as oceans do).
Plants grow and mature, then most grow seeds that drop to grow
more plants.

Plant Structure
A plant has a few main parts: The roots, stem, leaves, and head (or
flower). Each has its own special job, to help the plant survive. The
roots are in the ground under the plant, and collect water and
nutrients/vitamins (Food) from the soil. They connect to the stem,
which brings the food/water to the rest of the plant. The leaves
connect to the stem in numerous places, and they collect sun light
and a special gas (Carbon Dioxide) and turn it into sugar for energy
and oxygen, which we breath. The head (or flower) is usually where
the seeds are made and stored, though this isnt always true. Most
flowers aim to bring in helpful bugs that make the plant grow better.

Why are plants so important?

Plants are found all over the world, and have many uses for both
animals and humans. For example, they make the air we breath, so
without them no life would be able to happen. Many types of plants
are also used as food, such as broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, apples,
grapes, and many others. Many foods are also made from plants, such
as sugar, chocolate, cake, and bread. Plants can also be used for
medicine, and even your clothes probably have plants!

Plant Growing/ Conservation

Now that you know how important and cool plants are, time to learn
how to grow your own, and to save already planted ones! Everyone
can grow plants, all it takes is a bit of clear ground, some shade, and
watering. You can get started (already growing) plants or buy seeds
and watch them sprout yourself. Simply dig a small hole (ask parents
first), big enough to put the seed or plant in, then set it gently inside,
cover it with dirt, add a little water a few times a day, and watch it
grow! Want to help already growing plants? Make sure that you don't
litter, pull, cut or step on plants, as it can hurt or even kill them.

Plant Fun-Facts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

There are even some meat eating plants! (Fly trap, Jug plant)
Some plants are poisonous, be careful around them! Dont eat wild
plants!
The oldest tree is 5,063 years old, here in California
The biggest flower is the Rafflesia Arnoldii, weighing 15 pounds!
Gourds have over 300 recorded uses that can be made
Some trees can become fossilized, just like dinosaurs

Sasabuchi's 100% Fresh Brew Science

Topic: Basic Astronomy
Grade: 3rd
Date: 30 January 2015
Sub-Topics:
~ What is a planet?
~ What is a star?
~ What is gravity?

What is a planet?
Planets (meaning 'wandering star') are objects that orbit a star and is large
enough to have its own gravitational field (causing it to be round). There are
different types of planets, from ones made of rock such as earth, to Jupiter which
is actually made mostly of gas. We have 8 planets in our solar system (9 when I
was little): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, {Asteroid Belt} Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune. The closer to a sun they are, the hotter they get. Many planets have
a molten core, meaning that the center is so hot that all of the metal and stone
found there is actually a liquid, like the ocean. Planets are formed when lots and
lots of space junk (Or debris, to be scientific) come together and join up thanks to
gravity, then begin to orbit the nearest star.

What is a star?
Stars are those wonderful little lights in the sky at night, though in reality
they can actually be from 43, 470- 565,110,000 miles across. They are made of
plasma and gases, held together by the star's massive gravitational pull. The light
you see from stars is the energy they give off, and can take millions of years to
get to you. Stars can be multiple colors depending on their size, such as red,
white, blue and eventually will die. When a star dies, it either explodes into a
nova or super nova, putting out more energy than the sun, or can destroy itself
and create a black hole, which then can destroy other objects.

Star Colors, Temperature, & Lifetime

3500K F

Red

~10 Trillion or More Years

7,500-10K F

White

~10 Billion

30K-60K F

Blue

~10 Million

What is gravity?

Gravity is a pulling force that every object has, though smaller objects
have so little that it doesn't affect anything. Massive objects pull smaller ones
towards them, which is why the earth spins around the Sun and the moon goes
around earth. Gravity is responsible for objects falling towards earth and your
weight, which will actually change as you visit different planets. For example:

Planetary Weights
Earth

Mercury Venus Mars

60 lbs 22 lbs

Jupiter

Saturn Uranus

54 lbs 22 lbs 141 lbs 63 lbs

53 lbs

Neptune Pluto

Sun

67 lbs

1624 lbs

4 lbs

Planet Fun-Facts
7.
We have found more than 1800 other planets.
8.
Earth is the only planet that we have found life on.
9.
There is a planet that is 100% made of diamond. It is worth 26.9
10.
11.
12.

nonillion ($260,900,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000)
Mars could have once been like earth, even with oceans/lakes
Jupiter has a storm that has gone on non-stop for more than 300 years
Venus can reach temperatures of 870 F