Stuff YOU Should Know
Team USA! (How Did We Do?)
Now that btw has brought you stories of the preparation, and the economics surrounding the Sochi Olympics, we thought we’d finally focus on the athletes and the games. The last winter Olympics (2010 held in Vancouver, Canada) was the first time since 1932 that the United States won the most overall medals. There was early speculation that Team USA would bring home 16 gold medals. But in the end, we only won 9 Gold medals. The U.S. did, however, come in second in total medals (28) behind the host nation Russia.
The winter Olympics are broken down into 98 events, 15 disciplines, 7 sports and 2 major categories (Ice and Snow). Here’s are some highlights of Team USA:
- Skiing cross-country, freestyle, jumping, snowboarding and Nordic combined (cross-country and jumping) – Just before these Games began in Sochi, alpine favorite Lindsey Vonn suffered an injury and announced she could not compete. The men’s slopestyle team “swept the podium,” taking home the Gold, Silver and Bronze. Jamie Anderson became the first woman to win gold in the debut of women’s snowboarding event.
- Biathlon – The United States has never medaled in this sport which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. But Lowell Bailey finished eighth, the best-ever finish for an American.
- Sledding 2 and 4 person bobsled, luge, skeleton – Steven Holcomb and Steve Langton broke a 62-year losing streak by winning the Bronze for the U.S. in the two-man bobsled. In the women’s bobsled race, Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams won the Silver (despite crashing their sled into a wall during practice a few days before). And their American teammates Aja Evans and Jamie Gruebel won the Bronze. In skeleton, Noelle Pikus-Pace won the Silver, a sweet victory after having suffered a freak accident in 2005 that broker her leg in several places.
- Curling – Neither the men’s nor the women’s teams were expected to do very well going into this event, but the women came in dead last.
- Ice Hockey – Both the men’s and women’s teams suffered disappointment in this event. In a repeat of the Vancouver Games, the Canadian women’s team defeated the U.S. women in the Gold medal match. As great as the Silver medal was, the women hockey team wanted to avenge that loss from 2010. The men’s team, however experienced real disappointment. After playing strongly through the tournament, a loss to Canada put the U.S. men in the Bronze medal game against Finland. And then Finland shut the men out, 5-0, denying the Men’s team any medal at all.
- Skating figure and speed – The Americans have failed to medal in any of the speed skating or short track events. Ice dancing celebs Meryl Davis and Charlie White charmed audiences and won over judges who awarded them the Gold. The Olympics historically end with the very popular ladies figure skating event. But Americans Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold, did not overcome their 1st Round rankings of fifth and sixth to reach the medal podium.
What Do You Think? Have you been following the Olympic games? Why or why not? If so, what events are you following? Why? Compare with your classmates.
Drought Threatens California Water Supply
Credit: Scott Villalobos / SuperStock; the drought conditions happening in California are become an increasing problem.
In 2013, California experienced its driest-known year in at least 119 years (since they’ve been keeping track of such things). Last month, Governor Jerry Brown declared an official drought emergency. By doing this, the state became eligible for federal aid. The Obama administration announced it will offer $170 million of initiatives to help ranchers and farmers. Some of the federal aid will go toward investing in new irrigation technologies, as well as conservation and recycling strategies. Governor Brown also urged all citizens to reduce their water consumption by 20 percent, by turning off taps while grooming and avoiding the unnecessary flushing of toilets.
A drought is a weather-related condition where dry conditions persist over a long enough period of time to cause harm to agriculture or water supply. The main cause of drought is too little precipitation (both rain and snow). The effects of drought can be widespread–a massive loss of crops and livestock, the risk of disease from a lack of clean water, and an increased risk of wildfires that can cause extensive damage to property and death.
Dig Deeper While this extreme weather has caused some to suggest that California’s drought is another example of climate change, others say that the conditions are more consistent with “natural variability.” Do some research and site at least two reasons on each side of this argument.
Digital Solutions for Snow Days
If you live in the northeastern region of the United States, you surely experienced more-than-usual snow or “calamity” days this winter. Most districts have a certain number of allotted off-days. When schools go over the normal amout, those days must be made up, usually at the end of the year. This is usually bothersome to students and teachers alike. But since schools are becoming increasingly connected electronically, many wonder if days of playing out in the snow when school is canceled will become a thing of the past.
Virtual learning is a strategy many schools have already been experimenting with. Teachers are regularly uploading digital lessons and students are watching lectures on YouTube and having discussions with one another via message boards. Many believe that this trend is one of the biggest advancements in education. On the other hand, others believe there are significant challenges to overcome, like consistent access to the internet at home, outdated technology and the high risk of theft.
What Do You Think? Do you think it is fair to have to log into class if school is canceled for a calamity day? Why or why not? What are your own personal benefits to working/learning from home? What are your biggest challenges?
Volcanoes Threaten Indonesia
There are nearly 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, located in Southeast Asia. Mt. Kelud, located on the island of Java, erupted on February 13. It spewed ash and sand for as far as 300 miles away. More than 76,000 residents have been evacuated, with 200,000 more affected. Seven airports, usually busy with many international flights, have been closed. Precautions have spared some businesses from closing, such as a major oil refinery that is near the volcano. Large sugarcane plantations, which provide a large amount of white sugar to the region, also experienced limited damage. Officials are concerned about the eleven lava dykes that have spread across the region that can cause a great deal of continued damage.
This part of the world, made up of thousands of small islands, experiences frequent volcanic eruptions, as well as earthquakes. This is because of two intersecting tectonic plates that continually shift on one another in this region. Mount Kelud has a long history of disrupting life in Java. It last erupted in 2007, but it has claimed more than 10,000 lives since its first massive eruption in 1568.