Topic: NASA Purpose: To support the expansion of the NASA missions and funding. Thesis: NASA is the key to our planets future. 1. Introduction a. Attention-getter: i. Imagine the year is 1908 and you are sitting on your front porch in Vanavara Siberia drinking a cup of coffee enjoying the early morning. In the blink of the eye you are picked up and tossed several feet into the air and back. As you fly through the air your skin feels like it’s on fire and the air is completely pushed from your lungs. That’s how the Tunguska event felt 40 miles from ground zero. b. Reason to listen: i. According to science.nasa.gov this was a small asteroid believed to be only 120 feet across. If this asteroid was able to explode at the equivalent power of 185 Hiroshima bombs image one a mile across. c. Thesis Statement: i. NASA is the key to our planets future. d. Credibility Statement: i. I have studied many of NASA’s missions. e. Preview of main points: In order for you understand why NASA is so important to our planet. i. First, I will discuss the history of NASA. ii. Second, I will tell you about technology NASA has developed. iii. Finally, I will discuss why we must continue to advance NASA’s research. f. Body i. According to history.nasa.gov NASA was founded in 1958 as a response to the Soviet Union’s advances in Space technology. 1. Within two and a half years NASA had put a man into suborbital space. 2. Less than a year later John Glenn orbited the Earth. 3. On May 25 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth.” 4. July 20, 1969 was the great day in the history of Mankind, Buzz Aldrin became the first human to ever step foot on the Moon Transition: These achievements required great advances in the technology of the time and were the just the beginning ii. NASA has affected our lives in almost every way possible. 1. NASA needed a smoke and fire detector and hired the company Honeywell to develop what is now required by law to be in everyone’s homes. 2. NASA needed a cordless drill to take samples from the Moon’s surface and hired Black and Decker to produce the first cordless drill. a. Black and Decker now sell over 400 million dollars a year from cordless tools. 3. According to techtran.msfc.nasa.gov ‘it is estimated that some five million Americans suffer from “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), the single biggest cause of heart disease and related ailments. a. Until recently, heart bypass surgery, which replaces clogged blood vessels, was the main treatment for serious cases.’ b. A laser that only reaches a temperature of 65 degrees was developed by NASA and is now used in breaking up the blockages in arteries. 4. Satellite technology from NASA has provided billions of people across the world with the ability to communicate. Transition: These examples are just some of many hundred but they give us a glimpse why NASA is so important to the world. iii. These great accomplishments have help to forge the way for America’s dominance in the global technology race. 1. Our military has become increasingly dependant on Space technology to function from communications to weapons. 2. Our international partnership with Russia has helped to bridge our distrust of each other. 3. NASA may ultimately save humanity. a. Technology to allow us to survive in space and other planets. b. Technology for us to become more sustainable here on Earth. c. Technology to save the Earth from another asteroid strike. g. Conclusion i. Review of main points: 1. Today, I began by discussing the history of NASA. 2. Then I discussed the technology NASA has developed. 3. Finally, I talked about how we must continue to advance NASA’s research. ii. Restate Thesis: 1. NASA is the key to our planets future. iii. Closure: 1. In closing, Space provides the answers to the survival of mankind. NASA the most advanced and well funded space program must take the lead and work with countries like China and Russia to help forge a common goal for all nations and people to look to. References “The Tunguska Impact–100 Years Later.” NASA Science. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. . “Technology Transfer Program – At Home with NASA.” NASAsolutions: NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center Technology Transfer Program. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. . “A Brief History of NASA.” History Home. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. . Name: Topic: Why Steer Tailing and Horse Tripping Should be Illegal in Colorado Purpose: To persuade Thesis: Steer tailing and horse tripping are acts of animal cruelty and should be illegal activities. I. Introduction A. Attention-getter: Human beings tend to hold tightly to traditions. For some reason, we avoid change at all costs, even when it is needed to correct an obvious wrong. Consider the United States’ history of slavery. In retrospect, there is no doubt that it was wrong and inhumane. Yet making the necessary change nearly tore our country apart. There are events that occur in Colorado now that are tied to tradition and should be changed, but that change hasn’t occurred. B. Reason to Listen: There are rodeo events that take place in Colorado now that are part of a traditional Mexican rodeo, and they are cruel and inhumane to the animals involved. C. Thesis Statement: Steer tailing and horse tripping are acts of animal cruelty and should be illegal activities. D. Credibility Statement: 1. I have visited Mexico, I have friends from Mexico, and I love so many things about the culture -just not the rodeos. 2. I have owned horses for over a quarter of a century and have been around livestock much of that time, seeing the abuse that can occur to large animals. E. Preview of main points: The traditional Mexican rodeo contains events that are cruel and I intend to show you why some of the events should be illegal. 1. First, I will describe steer tailing and how it affects the animals involved. 2. Second, I will tell you about horse tripping, the industry that feeds it and how it affects the horses involved. 3. Finally, I will discuss the proposed legislation that would have outlawed the practices of both events. II. Body A. Steer tailing is an event that takes place in a traditional Mexican Rodeo. 1. According to The Denver Post, steer tailing is one of nine events that make up the tradition. a. In a steer tailing event, a rider on a horse chases a steer, grabs their tail and brings the steer to the ground by yanking on the tail. b. The steer can be grounded by dragging or flipping. c. According to Toby de la Torre, the chief executive of Charros USA, which governs official Mexican rodeos, there are rules intended to prevent injuries to animals. 1. One rule requires preparing arena footing so there is 6 to 9 inches of tilled soil to soften the animal’s fall. 2. Another rule stipulates that one rider is assigned to one steer for the entire event, and there are no more than three attempts made to bring the animal down. 1. Unfortunately, not all events are ‘official’ and many unofficial events take place in our state where these rules are not adhered to and animals are injured. 2. Jefferson County Deputies responded to a complaint last year lodged after a steer tailing event in July, and found several injuries to steers sustained from the sport. a. Upon searching the property of the promoter, seven steers were found ‘degloved’ – with the skin pulled from their tails. b. Another steer was found with a broken pelvis. c. Yet another steer was found with a broken leg. d. Both steers with broken bones required euthanization. e. The promoters were issued a summons for failing to provide veterinary care to the animals after the event. Transition: But steers aren’t the only animals that suffer in these rodeos, horses are also severely abused in horse tripping events. B. There are three events in a traditional Mexican Rodeo that feature horse tripping; one that awards points to the charro (or cowboy) for roping the hind legs of a horse, one that awards points to the charro on the ground who lassos the legs of a running horse, and one that awards points for a charro mounted on horseback who lassos the legs of a running horse. 1. Horse tripping is an event that is supposed to test the skill of a charro by bringing the horse to the ground from a gallop -much like a round up in the old days. 2. Many horses used for these events are acquired from slaughter lots. a. According to the American Horse Defense Fund, kill buyers have created an additional line of revenue by renting horses destined for slaughter to horse tripping events. b. Some horses are returned to the kill buyer after use to be sent to slaughter. c. Some horses sustain such severe injuries at the events that they have to be destroyed on site. d. Some perish in transit due to injuries suffered during the horse tripping events. e. In Defense of Animals reports that thousands of US horses are injured at Mexican style rodeos each year. 3. What are some of the injuries sustained? a. Mike Ross, the animal service director for Contra Costa County in California states, ‘Horses break legs, necks and teeth. They fracture their shoulders, and batter their knees and hocks. You can see deep gashes on their faces, shoulders, hips, legs and heels. The ropes often burn their flesh down to the bone.’ Transition: So why are these events still allowed in our state? C. Because of the coverage that the Jefferson County event received in July and the injured animals found on the promoter’s property, a bill was introduced in 2010 to outlaw both steer tailing and horse tripping. 1. Denver Democrat Beth McCann sponsored House Bill 11-1039 which stated, ‘A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she intentionally, for the purpose of entertainment, sport, or contest, drags a bovine by its tail or lassos or ropes the legs of an equine.’ 2. While this bill was backed by local police forces, district attorneys, and local humane societies, it failed to pass the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources in January of this year. a. For reasons unknown, nine members of the committee voted to postpone the bill, effectively killing it for this year. 3. The American Horse Defense Fund indicates that horse tripping is already banned in several other states (California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), as well as banned from film and TV production, by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association. 4. While strides have been made to enact a law to protect animals from these events, it hasn’t yet been passed into law in our state. a. For the time being , we will have to depend on agencies such as the American Humane Association to continue to threaten legal action and police the activities of the local rodeo circuit. II. Conclusion A. B. Review of main points: 1. Today, I began by discussing steer tailing and the injuries that can occur from this heinous sport. 2. Then I discussed horse tripping, the heartbreaking business it is and the damage it can cause. 3. Finally, I talked about our state’s attempt to outlaw these practices and how they were derailed earlier this year. Restate Thesis: Steer tailing and horse tripping are acts of animal cruelty and should be illegal activities. C. Closure: Like most people, I have traditions and cultural history that I hold dearly to. However, when something I hold dear creates pain and suffering for another life, it is time to let it go. For this reason, the tradition of Mexican rodeos should be changed to exclude events that are harmful or fatal to the animals involved, and legislation should be passed to outlaw the practice of such events in our state. References American Horse Defense Fund. ‘Horse Tripping: History of Horse Tripping’ http://ahdf.org/tripping.htm (accessed April 6, 2011). Associated Press. ‘Bill Would Ban Some Rodeo Events In Colorado’ January 24, 2011. http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/01/24/colorado-rodeo-charreadas/ (accessed April 16, 2011). Colorado State Legislature. ‘House Bill 11-1039 First Regular Session Sixty-eighth General Assembly State of Colorado’ http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2011A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/18D7BD6BF902A4EC87257816 00585C3E?Open&file=1039_01.pdf (accessed April 16, 2011). Davis, Bianca. ‘Animal-rights groups hope to stop steer-tailing event at Jeffco Fairgrounds’ August 6, 2010. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15690287?source=rss (accessed April 16, 2011). Glazier, Kyle. ‘Bill banning Mexican rodeo events horse-tripping and steer-tailing dies’ January 25, 2011, http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_17188054 (accessed April 16, 2011). In Defense of Animals; ‘Horse Tripping Facts: Horse Tripping -‘Break’-ing the Chain of Violence’ http://www.idausa.org/facts/horsetripping.html (accessed April 16, 2011). Matheny, Martin. ‘Ban Steer-Tailing and Horse-Tripping in Colorado’ http://www.change.org/petitions/ban-steer-tailing-and-horse-tripping-in-colorado (accessed April 16, 2011). Matheny, Martin. ‘Colorado Legislators Think Ripping Tails Off Steers Is Just Fine’ January 25, 2011, http://news.change.org/stories/colorado-legislators-think-ripping-tails-off-steers-is-just-fine (accessed April 16, 2011). The Denver Post. ‘Controversial ‘steer-tailing’ event canceled’ August 6, 2010, http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_15697157?source=rss (accessed April 16, 2011). Purchase answer to see full attachment

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.