Do you know what the Columbian Exchange is?  The Columbian Exchange was a way for people in the Americas and Europe to exchange goods, plants, animals and ideas. Although most times it was a good thing, it also had some bad effects to it. For example, Europe brought diseases to the Americas. That isn't always a good thing because it can affect the population and the crops that are needed. 
        Despite the negative effects, the Columbian Exchange was important to both areas. It was a very helpful thing. Some positive effects involve all the different things they exchanged. The Americas had what Europe wanted, and Europe had what the Americas wanted. So it worked out both ways. Some of the things they exchanged were crops such as tomatoes, beans, potatoes, bananas, sugar canes, etc. They didn't really "exchange." The people brought it with them. So basically, it was like bringing stuff to a whole new place. Europe brought Christianity to the Americas and they taught people their language. From that, people in the Americas learned a lot. The Columbian Exchange had some bad outcomes, but it was used for a long time. 
 
Out of the 25 stations in the zoo, my favorite station was the sting rays station. It was my favorite station because we got to lay on our stomachs, and put our hands in the water to touch the sting rays. Unfortunately,  I didn't get to touch one because I think I moved around too much, or maybe they just didn't like me! Whatever the reason was, I was very close to touching one. Every time it swam by, I tried as hard as I could to try and touch it. But I had no luck! 
         I also learned a lot about the sting rays. I never really learned anything about them until I went to the zoo. All I knew about them is that they have a long tail, or ray, and they kinda have wings, but they're not wings. Basically, I knew how they looked. What I learned is that the sting rays don't come to you if you move around too much. I also learned that they are very fragile, and someone has pulled off its tail once! That's pretty sad to hear. 
          Another thing I learned from observing them is that some are small, and some are pretty big. There was another pool next to it, and that one had the baby sting rays and the healing ones. The baby sting rays were very adorable, and the sting rays that were once injured looked like they were feeling better now. My core teacher, Mrs. Frazier, was also there, displaying shark eggs! That was really cool to feel and touch. You don't get to see one everyday! (Not unless you go to the zoo everyday) 
 
There are have been many conclusions made on how both of these empires ended, but the endings are both similar in a way. They are similar because they both ended in a gradual way. No one knows if their decline happened due to climate change, over-demanding rulers, or shortage of crops, but we do know that  it ended gradually.  In case you didn't know what that meant, it means that the way that they declined happened slowly over the years. But the most important reason to their decline was their government. They were both overthrown by Spanish conquerors. 
           So, what was the cause of this gradual decline? Well, some things just don't happen all at once. If it was climate change, the climate was probably getting more drier over the years that have passed. If it was because of the rulers, people probably got fed up with all the unfair rules over the years. And if it was caused because of the shortage of crops, people probably passed away since there wasn't enough food for them or they probably moved to another area in search of good climate. Their army couldn't match with the Spanish conquerors. They had a larger number of people and they had better weapons.                                                                                                                        
 
Wow. I can't believe I am already talking about my favorite moments that I have had at Computech as a 7th grader. It feels like this year barely started a couple weeks ago and now it's sad to see it come to an end. I'm glad that I will be back here in 8th grade though! Well anyway, I've had some really fun and dull moments here. Some were good, and some were bad. My most favorite moment would have to be meeting all the people I am now friends with. Most of my friends are fun and they're cool to hang out with. I got to know a lot of people, and I enjoyed it. But some of the people I met and got to know just turned out to be fake. Besides the fakes, I'm thankful for meeting all these wonderful people! Computech would've not be fun without them. 
        Another moment I have cherished in my 7th grade year is being on the basketball team. Wow, that was absolutely fun and I really enjoyed it. I really learned a lot too. It was a good first experience being on a team. Now I am ready to be on the Varsity team next year. I'm prepared!! One of my favorite moments would be getting straight A's all 3 quarters! That's definitely what I am proud of. 
 
Historians are not sure why the Mayan Civilization just ended so suddenly. During that time, people were abandoning their cities. They left no clue to why they left. Because there were no clues, historians had made up their own theories to why the Mayans left. These main theories are: warfare, over-population, over-demanding rulers, and climate change. Some people think it's just because of one factor, but others also think its a combination of all. 
         I think the Maya Civilization ended because of all the theories (warfare, over-population, over-demanding rulers, and climate change.) Since no one knows for sure, it could be the combination of all. I think they left because of all these reasons because all those factors could have happened at the same time. Warfare was probably a factor because people were scared to stay in their cities, or they couldn't provide for themselves. Over-population was probably a factor because the cities got too crowded, and people thought there was more to the world. You get the idea. So this is why I think these are the reasons to the decline of Mayan Civilizaton.