Complete the chemical equation balancing activities at http://www.funbasedlearning.com/ - be sure to put your answers on your worksheet.
Activity 1 - Classic Chembalancer
Activity 2 - Review Chembalancer
Activity 3(AC) - Brain Boggle Chembalancer (only AC classes have to complete the worksheet, but everyone is invited to try!).
Finished? Make sure both sets of balancing worksheets are complete and have your name on them.
Things to do when you are done:
1. Element Quiz at http://www.funbasedlearning.com/
2. Element Games at Jefferson Labs - try Hangman!
3. Science Review Games at BBC Schools
4. Interactive Chemistry at BBC Schools
Write a comment about today's activities. What did you enjoy? What did you learn?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Computer Lab - 12/17
Today, the first thing to do is finish your computer work for your project. Make sure you have your:
1. Excel pie chart (showing proteins, carbs, and fat)
2. Excel bar graph (showing Vit A, Vit C, calcium, and iron)
3. The atomic structure of TWO elements (http://www.chemicalelements.com/)
4. The molecular structure of TWO compounds (google image search for the "molecular structure of ______)
Forgot the directions? Click here, scroll to the bottom, open, and save to your lunch number.
Done? Try the BBC Schools Science site for some extra help.
1. Excel pie chart (showing proteins, carbs, and fat)
2. Excel bar graph (showing Vit A, Vit C, calcium, and iron)
3. The atomic structure of TWO elements (http://www.chemicalelements.com/)
4. The molecular structure of TWO compounds (google image search for the "molecular structure of ______)
Forgot the directions? Click here, scroll to the bottom, open, and save to your lunch number.
Done? Try the BBC Schools Science site for some extra help.
Monday, December 10, 2007
"Influenza Di Freddo"
Influenza di freddo is Italian for "influence of the cold," which some historians say is the origin of the name influenza, or the flu. Doctors and scientists have long wondered why flu season was typically in the winter - some ideas include everyone being inside and spreading germs or not getting enough Vitamin D to strengthen the immune system.
Now a scientist has found what may be the reason - the flu virus likes the cold, dry air of winter better. Read more here.
Despite the new research, flying to a tropical location is out of reach for most of us to avoid the flu - most doctors recommend getting a flu shot. At the very least, minimize exposure, take care of yourself, and wash your hands!
How do you keep yourself healthy during flu season? What do you do if you do get sick?
Now a scientist has found what may be the reason - the flu virus likes the cold, dry air of winter better. Read more here.
Despite the new research, flying to a tropical location is out of reach for most of us to avoid the flu - most doctors recommend getting a flu shot. At the very least, minimize exposure, take care of yourself, and wash your hands!
How do you keep yourself healthy during flu season? What do you do if you do get sick?
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
We Are The Web
For most of you, life without the computer or the internet is unthinkable. Your generation is the tech-connect generation - you think first of the internet in terms of getting and sharing information - MySpace, Facebook, Photobucket, YouTube.
I look back at how the computer has changed in my lifetime and my life. When I was in junior high I got to learn some BASIC - the programming language "of the future" - we don't use it anymore. By my second run at college in the early 90s, word processing was a wonder and a timesaver - as was the computerized card catalogue (you guys have NO idea...ask your folks about the old version of that). I couldn't believe how much easier writing papers was.
Now I have a computer in my home, and I use the internet everyday - e-mail, IM, Napster - shopping, reading, playing.
Watch the video - what do you think? Where do you think technology will be in 30 years, when you are about the same age I am now? What will YOUR kids understand that you don't?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Online Quizzes
Monday, November 26, 2007
Everest - Because It's There!
I am completely fascinated by Mt. Everest. The mystique it holds for me is far beyond the mere fact that it is the tallest peak on our planet. The fact that it straddles the borders of Nepal and Tibet, places of exotic beauty and wildness, is part of it. The fact that the very thing we need to survive - oxygen - is in rare, even deadly, availability is a thought that thrills and chills me. The fact that reaching the summit is something few have accomplished and that was only first done last century is mind-boggling. Finally, the fact that the mountain can KILL - that people trying to reach it's mystical peak have DIED in the attempt, opens up windows in my imagination.
I have long given up my dreams of climbing the mountain; it is far too dangerous, and I no longer have the time or inclination to learn extreme mountaineering (although I hold out hope of being able to go to the base camp some day). I still indulge in my fascination through reading, TV, and movies. Two of my favorite books about the mountain are Into Thin Air by John Krakauer and Ghosts of Everest by Larry Johnson (see my earlier post about these books). I loved the IMAX movie Everest, which was recently re-released and played at the IMAX at Fernbank.
Lately I have been enthralled by the Discovery Channel series Everest: Beyond the Limit, which follows a group of climbers in their attempts to reach the peak. The Discovery Channel website has a lot of cool interactive stuff - puzzles - even a game.
After exploring some of the links, tell me what you think - is climbing Everest something you would ever consider?
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Packed With Planets?
Astronomers recently discovered a fifth planet around another star. This find is significant because it opens up the possibility of there being solar systems like ours with eight planets. It also increases the possiblity of being able to find some kind of life on another planet. This fifth planet is at a distance where water might be able to exist as a liquid, a factor most scientists agree is critical to life.
Read more here.
What do you think the chances are that we find another Earth-like planet in your lifetime?
What do you think the chances are that we will find life on another planets?
What do you think that life will be like?
Read more here.
What do you think the chances are that we find another Earth-like planet in your lifetime?
What do you think the chances are that we will find life on another planets?
What do you think that life will be like?
It's Official! Pluto No Longer a Planet!
An oldy, but a goodie - this was big news about this time last year, and it recently came up in conversation, so I thought this year's class might want to express their opinion.Is Pluto a planet?
The International Astronomers Union (or IAU) voted today to re-classify Pluto as a "dwarf planet" instead of a a full-fledged "planet," and included in this new classification are Ceres and 2003 UB313, but not Pluto's moon, Charon.
Read the MSNBC story here.
In class, we've talked about theories and other understandings in science changing as a result of new technologies and new discoveries. This is something that drives people, who don't understand science, crazy - "What's up with scientists not being able to make up their minds?" is what they often ask.
This is a perfect example of how new discoveries and new technologies force us to re-evaluate. When Pluto was first discovered in 1930, it was thought to be much bigger. When its moon Charon was discovered in 1978, we realized that is was much smaller than believed. Now we have the Hubble telescope, with its abilities to see much more than before, and it forces us to look at our solar system, and the objects in it, in a new way.
What do you think? Should Pluto still be a planet? Is the new classification a good one? What will my very educated mother serve us nine of now?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Water, Water, Everywhere?
The southeastern United States is in the midst of a record drought - some call it a 100-year drought. While it's true that rainfall in the last few years has been lower than average, the reasons for the severity of the drought are varied - some blame nature, and others blame too much growth and mismanagement of our current water supply. It looks like little relief is in sight, due to predicted low winter rainfall because of La Nina conditions.
How do we decide whether we are in a drought? A group of experts froma variety of agencies look at the following factors:
*groundwater levels,
*streamflows,
*reservoir levels,
*rainfall in the past 3, 6, and 9 months,
*expected rainfall in the next 90 days, and
*water use patterns across the state.
There are a variety of simple changes you can make around your house to help conserve water. A simple one is not letting the water run while you are brushing your teeth. For more ideas, click here. What are some things you might try?
How do we decide whether we are in a drought? A group of experts froma variety of agencies look at the following factors:
*groundwater levels,
*streamflows,
*reservoir levels,
*rainfall in the past 3, 6, and 9 months,
*expected rainfall in the next 90 days, and
*water use patterns across the state.
There are a variety of simple changes you can make around your house to help conserve water. A simple one is not letting the water run while you are brushing your teeth. For more ideas, click here. What are some things you might try?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Physics is Fun! Interactive Extra Help is Here!
Forces in Action: Try this activity exploring mass, friction, and motion: link.
Friction: Try this friction activity: link
Racing Ball Activity - which ball will win the race?
Reaction Time - How fast can you react? How fast can you stop?
Momentum - adjust the mass and speed of the two vehicles and watch what happens.
Leaning Tower of Pisa - drop things off the tower, just like Gallileo
Collisions - change the mass and velocity of two balls and watch what happens
Crash Test Dummies - always entertaining!
Websites with a variety of activities - look for activities that relate to the topics covered in class (force, motion, work, inertia, speed, velocity, acceleration, etc.).
Fear of Physics - lots of good activities here
Physics Lessons - more things to try - go to "i-physics" and then "1-19 Mechanics" on the drop-down menu
Amusement Park Physics - design your own amusement park rides
PhysLab.net - more activities to try
More... more to try
Friction: Try this friction activity: link
Racing Ball Activity - which ball will win the race?
Reaction Time - How fast can you react? How fast can you stop?
Momentum - adjust the mass and speed of the two vehicles and watch what happens.
Leaning Tower of Pisa - drop things off the tower, just like Gallileo
Collisions - change the mass and velocity of two balls and watch what happens
Crash Test Dummies - always entertaining!
Websites with a variety of activities - look for activities that relate to the topics covered in class (force, motion, work, inertia, speed, velocity, acceleration, etc.).
Fear of Physics - lots of good activities here
Physics Lessons - more things to try - go to "i-physics" and then "1-19 Mechanics" on the drop-down menu
Amusement Park Physics - design your own amusement park rides
PhysLab.net - more activities to try
More... more to try
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Volcano Pictures!
FINALLY!
The pictures from the volcano project are here!
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog
The pictures from the volcano project are here!
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog
Thursday, June 07, 2007
What would you do?
Lately I have been completely enthralled by shows such as Survivorman and Man Vs Wild. I have also read a couple books about survival after a shipwreck (The Custom of the Sea) and a plane crash (Alive: The Miracle of the Andes).
In both the shows and the books, in order to survive, people have to resort to eating things that they might not normally consider for food: insects and people (both of which are repellent to me). In The Custom of the Sea, survivors of a shipwreck draw straws to determine who will be sacrificed for the survival of the others. In Alive, they survive on the flesh of those already dead (and frozen).
So my "survey" is one question:You are in a situation where you will die unless you eat either bugs or human flesh (like the survivors in the Andes, they are already dead - no drawing straws). You can eat your choice cooked or raw.
What do you do?
PS - I am finding that the answers are running roughly 50-50, with no discernible pattern to the choices.
In both the shows and the books, in order to survive, people have to resort to eating things that they might not normally consider for food: insects and people (both of which are repellent to me). In The Custom of the Sea, survivors of a shipwreck draw straws to determine who will be sacrificed for the survival of the others. In Alive, they survive on the flesh of those already dead (and frozen).
So my "survey" is one question:You are in a situation where you will die unless you eat either bugs or human flesh (like the survivors in the Andes, they are already dead - no drawing straws). You can eat your choice cooked or raw.
What do you do?
PS - I am finding that the answers are running roughly 50-50, with no discernible pattern to the choices.
Everybody has an opinion!
I love reading people's comments - whether they are letters to the editor or comments on a blog - I like to see what people think.
The internet is full of websites that let you do exactly that. Even the world of education is not immune to web-based criticism.
Two interesting sites are:
Rate Your Teacher - students and parents can rate (or grade - turn the tables) their teachers
Great Schools - the site provides demographics and test information, but parents, teachers, and students can put in their two cents.
The internet is full of websites that let you do exactly that. Even the world of education is not immune to web-based criticism.
Two interesting sites are:
Rate Your Teacher - students and parents can rate (or grade - turn the tables) their teachers
Great Schools - the site provides demographics and test information, but parents, teachers, and students can put in their two cents.
Summertime...and the livin' is easy...
As a kid, I don't know that I ever gave much thought to what teachers did with their summers off. I probably thought they got rolled up and stored in the janitor's closet until the fall, when they were dusted off and cleaned up for teaching in September.
While I didn't go into teaching "for the summers off" I have to admit it is a nice perk of the job (although I tend to look at it as more of a comp time for all the lost nights and weekends spent grading). One of the things I like best is being able to spend time doing and learning cool new stuff. Last year, I went to Brazil to learn some Portuguese, went on a family vacation to Tybee Island, and took a class. This year I am attending two conferences (leadership and technology), takig two classes (my students are often stunned - what? you're going to SCHOOL in the SUMMER and you don't HAVE to?), as well as going on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island - I love the beach!
So what are your plans?
While I didn't go into teaching "for the summers off" I have to admit it is a nice perk of the job (although I tend to look at it as more of a comp time for all the lost nights and weekends spent grading). One of the things I like best is being able to spend time doing and learning cool new stuff. Last year, I went to Brazil to learn some Portuguese, went on a family vacation to Tybee Island, and took a class. This year I am attending two conferences (leadership and technology), takig two classes (my students are often stunned - what? you're going to SCHOOL in the SUMMER and you don't HAVE to?), as well as going on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island - I love the beach!
So what are your plans?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sites for Daylight Saving Time Project
President Bush Signs Bill - statement from George Bush about the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This is where you will find info about the bill.
Web Exhibits - DST - A history of Daylight Saving Time - be sure to check the links on the left of the home page for more information
Y2K Again? At CNN.com - A CNN newstory about the potential for computer problems because of the early DST switch this year.
Write Your Representative - How to find your representative (for the persuasive writing activity)
How to Adjust to DST - article about how people can better adjust to the time change (the fact that we need to work this hard to adjust might tell you something)
More on Health Effects - more information about the health effects of adjusting to the time change
Some People May Lose More Than An Hour - an article describing some of the additional negative effects of the DST switch for some people
National Geographic - more information on the history of DST
Daylight Saving Time Save Energy - from a California state government site promoting the energy saving benefits of DST (CA was trying to go on DST all year in the early 2000s, due to an energy crisis - it was their research that led to the development of the Energy Policy Act of 2005)
Time And Date.com - more info, including a link that shows where DST is being observed world wide
Reminder - the Spring Equinox was on March 21st - on that day, the daytime and nighttime hours were the same. Keep that in mind when analyzing your data, and formulating your opinion.
If you do end up working on this over Spring Break, and have a question; post it here, and I will answer it - our e-mail may be down for work over break.
Web Exhibits - DST - A history of Daylight Saving Time - be sure to check the links on the left of the home page for more information
Y2K Again? At CNN.com - A CNN newstory about the potential for computer problems because of the early DST switch this year.
Write Your Representative - How to find your representative (for the persuasive writing activity)
How to Adjust to DST - article about how people can better adjust to the time change (the fact that we need to work this hard to adjust might tell you something)
More on Health Effects - more information about the health effects of adjusting to the time change
Some People May Lose More Than An Hour - an article describing some of the additional negative effects of the DST switch for some people
National Geographic - more information on the history of DST
Daylight Saving Time Save Energy - from a California state government site promoting the energy saving benefits of DST (CA was trying to go on DST all year in the early 2000s, due to an energy crisis - it was their research that led to the development of the Energy Policy Act of 2005)
Time And Date.com - more info, including a link that shows where DST is being observed world wide
Reminder - the Spring Equinox was on March 21st - on that day, the daytime and nighttime hours were the same. Keep that in mind when analyzing your data, and formulating your opinion.
If you do end up working on this over Spring Break, and have a question; post it here, and I will answer it - our e-mail may be down for work over break.
Monday, March 26, 2007
At Gabriel's Request...
What are your favorite movies? Why?
As a huge movie buff, I have too many movies that I really like to designate any as my favorite. I have some that I will watch every time they are on TV, no matter how many times I have seen them (A Few Good Men and The Shawshank Redemption are two).
We could qualify the questions as well - what is/are your favorites genre(s) of movies? What is your favorite sci-fi, horror, comedy, drama, etc?
As a huge movie buff, I have too many movies that I really like to designate any as my favorite. I have some that I will watch every time they are on TV, no matter how many times I have seen them (A Few Good Men and The Shawshank Redemption are two).
We could qualify the questions as well - what is/are your favorites genre(s) of movies? What is your favorite sci-fi, horror, comedy, drama, etc?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Life Cycle of a Star - Interactive Lab
What are some questions you have about the universe?
What will happen to the sun in the future? What is a black hole? What would it be like to travel to one? How do we learn about things so far away?
These questions and more will be explored through the online activities linked to this site.
After you complete the activities, post a power writing comment (1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1) about three things you've learned today - make it original!
ONE:
First, let's explore spectra. Once you launch the interactive page, you will see questions marks above a wavelength graph. Your mission will be to correctly match the mystery wavelengths with the spectra of certain elements to determine the composition of the sun. If you succeed and have more time, try Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and the galaxy.
TWO:
Next, let's learn a little about the life cycle of a star. All stars start in a cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. If conditions are right, fusion will begin and a star is born. What happens next depends upon the mass of the star. Explore what happens to both a star with a mass like the sun and a larger star. What about our sun?
THREE:
One of the most fascinating objects in the universe is the black hole. Scientists still don't understand everything there is to know about these space mysteries. We do know that black holes form as the last part of the life of a very large star, and those stars must have much more mass than our sun. The objects are black because they are so dense, and have so much gravity that they pull in everything - even light.
FOUR:
Finally, scientists have categorized stars based on their luminosity and temperature. The chart used is called the Hertzsprung-Russell, or H-R diagram, after the scientists who designed it. Most stars fall on the main sequence, a diagonal line going from the upper left to the lower right of the chart. Stars on the main sequence are in their "middle age" and generally follow the rule of "hotter equals brighter; cooler eqauls dimmer. Not all stars follow this rule - those not in the main sequence are the stars in old age, or dying stars. These would be stars like red giants and white dwarfs. Learn how to use it here and here.
More to explore:
Excellent site on black holes with good information. Be sure to check out a black hole "up close and personal" as well as experiment with one here.
Experiment with how a black hole bends light and space here. Just click on the picture and see how the black hole bends light. Change the mass and see the effect! Also see what it might look like to travel into a black hole here.
NASA's Starchild - excellent site with lots of info - and also in Portuguese!
Windows to the Universe - another excellent site - and also in Spanish!
Remember - click on comments below, and add yours! Still more questions? Ask those as well - maybe someone will be able to answer it.
What will happen to the sun in the future? What is a black hole? What would it be like to travel to one? How do we learn about things so far away?
These questions and more will be explored through the online activities linked to this site.
After you complete the activities, post a power writing comment (1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1) about three things you've learned today - make it original!
ONE:
First, let's explore spectra. Once you launch the interactive page, you will see questions marks above a wavelength graph. Your mission will be to correctly match the mystery wavelengths with the spectra of certain elements to determine the composition of the sun. If you succeed and have more time, try Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and the galaxy.
TWO:
Next, let's learn a little about the life cycle of a star. All stars start in a cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. If conditions are right, fusion will begin and a star is born. What happens next depends upon the mass of the star. Explore what happens to both a star with a mass like the sun and a larger star. What about our sun?
THREE:
One of the most fascinating objects in the universe is the black hole. Scientists still don't understand everything there is to know about these space mysteries. We do know that black holes form as the last part of the life of a very large star, and those stars must have much more mass than our sun. The objects are black because they are so dense, and have so much gravity that they pull in everything - even light.
FOUR:
Finally, scientists have categorized stars based on their luminosity and temperature. The chart used is called the Hertzsprung-Russell, or H-R diagram, after the scientists who designed it. Most stars fall on the main sequence, a diagonal line going from the upper left to the lower right of the chart. Stars on the main sequence are in their "middle age" and generally follow the rule of "hotter equals brighter; cooler eqauls dimmer. Not all stars follow this rule - those not in the main sequence are the stars in old age, or dying stars. These would be stars like red giants and white dwarfs. Learn how to use it here and here.
More to explore:
Excellent site on black holes with good information. Be sure to check out a black hole "up close and personal" as well as experiment with one here.
Experiment with how a black hole bends light and space here. Just click on the picture and see how the black hole bends light. Change the mass and see the effect! Also see what it might look like to travel into a black hole here.
NASA's Starchild - excellent site with lots of info - and also in Portuguese!
Windows to the Universe - another excellent site - and also in Spanish!
Remember - click on comments below, and add yours! Still more questions? Ask those as well - maybe someone will be able to answer it.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Lunar Eclipse - March 3, 2007
Tonight, North America will be able to see the full moon rise in a total eclipse - that is, of course, if the weather cooperates.
Best time for viewing is betwee 5:45 and 7:00 PM. The direction will be to the east, opposite of the setting sun.
For more information on this eclipse, click here and here (on the NASA site, check out the "solar eclipse" that someone on the moon would see tonight - it's a simple animation, but it's still cool).
For information on eclipses in general, click here and here.
Did you watch? What did you think?
Best time for viewing is betwee 5:45 and 7:00 PM. The direction will be to the east, opposite of the setting sun.
For more information on this eclipse, click here and here (on the NASA site, check out the "solar eclipse" that someone on the moon would see tonight - it's a simple animation, but it's still cool).
For information on eclipses in general, click here and here.
Did you watch? What did you think?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Houston, We've Had a Problem!
We've been watching Apollo 13, one of my all-time favorite movies. I was four when Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, and I have been fascinated with space travel ever since.
I love to show this movie as part of my space unit because it shows so many things and invites so many questions. Rather than posting my thoughts, I'd like to invite you all to peruse some of the links, and post your own thoughts, questions, and answers.
Apollo 13 (the movie)
Wikipedia Article
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Site
Nasa Site
Jim Lovell Information
Questions about dead astronauts? Try here
Questions about space junk? Try here
I love to show this movie as part of my space unit because it shows so many things and invites so many questions. Rather than posting my thoughts, I'd like to invite you all to peruse some of the links, and post your own thoughts, questions, and answers.
Apollo 13 (the movie)
Wikipedia Article
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Site
Nasa Site
Jim Lovell Information
Questions about dead astronauts? Try here
Questions about space junk? Try here
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Live From the Field - Earth Watch Expedition Info
In reading through the material, I may need to set up a separate blog for this - be on the look-out!
Please be sure that the questions you send me are related to the study they are doing and the specific research they are conducting.
The expedition's name is "Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge." Click on the links for "Meet the Scientist," "Photos & Multimedia," and "Briefings" (you don't need to read all of it, but do read about the scientists daily tasks).
From the site:
"Global warming is being felt first and most dramatically at the edge of the Arctic, where the world's peatlands run in a broad strip around the globe. These wetlands contain as much as 20 percent of the world's carbon, often locked in permafrost. If global warming thaws the permafrost, the decomposing peat could release carbon dioxide and methane, the most important greenhouse gases. What happens to the peat here will not only alter the local ecosystem, but could also have dramatic consequences for the ecology of the entire planet. "
This is what they are doing:
"In this inimitable Arctic landscape, [the scientists] will take measurements at study plots extending from the tundra into the forest to monitor changes affecting the carbon stores in these peat-rich ecosystems. . . [They'll] also live-trap small mammals, sample trees and shrubs to evaluate their growth rings, and monitor plant development. February teams offer a unique opportunity to experience the edge of the Arctic in its most dramatic season: winter. . . [They'll]classify ice crystals, measure snowpack thickness, density, hardness, and temperature. "
For the story of three high school students who took a year off school to travel the world and do science, read here - that could be one of you someday!
BTW - anyone see today's article about government scientists being pressured to downplay global warming?
Please be sure that the questions you send me are related to the study they are doing and the specific research they are conducting.
The expedition's name is "Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge." Click on the links for "Meet the Scientist," "Photos & Multimedia," and "Briefings" (you don't need to read all of it, but do read about the scientists daily tasks).
From the site:
"Global warming is being felt first and most dramatically at the edge of the Arctic, where the world's peatlands run in a broad strip around the globe. These wetlands contain as much as 20 percent of the world's carbon, often locked in permafrost. If global warming thaws the permafrost, the decomposing peat could release carbon dioxide and methane, the most important greenhouse gases. What happens to the peat here will not only alter the local ecosystem, but could also have dramatic consequences for the ecology of the entire planet. "
This is what they are doing:
"In this inimitable Arctic landscape, [the scientists] will take measurements at study plots extending from the tundra into the forest to monitor changes affecting the carbon stores in these peat-rich ecosystems. . . [They'll] also live-trap small mammals, sample trees and shrubs to evaluate their growth rings, and monitor plant development. February teams offer a unique opportunity to experience the edge of the Arctic in its most dramatic season: winter. . . [They'll]classify ice crystals, measure snowpack thickness, density, hardness, and temperature. "
For the story of three high school students who took a year off school to travel the world and do science, read here - that could be one of you someday!
BTW - anyone see today's article about government scientists being pressured to downplay global warming?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Total Solar Eclipse - Egypt
| Total solar eclipse (29/03/2006) as seen from Salum, Egypt. The pictures of the totality come from a video camera and from a sequence of images taken with a Canon 300D + Konus 500mm f/5.6@100ISO. | |
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
I Touched a Piece of History
This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of going to see the Titanic Artifacts exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center. The Titanic has always fascinated me - even before the blockbuster movie. I remember as a child being utterly spell-bound by a picture in an encyclopedia of an iceberg and the ship - the story was so sad.
When you get to the exhibit, you are a given a boarding pass of a real Titanic passenger - at the end, you find out if your person survived or perished. I had Mrs. Edward Candee, an author and a first class passenger. Mr. Q had Mr. Thomas Everett, a British immigrant traveling third class.
When you enter the exhibit, it is very bright in the room, and old-fashioned music is playing. As you proceed through the exhibit, the rooms get darker and darker - eventually you end up in a room light only by "starlight." The sounds get eerie, too - as you move through you hear the thumping of huge engines and the creaking and groaning of a ship.
The artifacts were wide-ranging: glassware and china, leather goods, money, even perfume that still had a smell! The microbes and conditions at the bottom of the ocean destroy many things, but strangley enough, leather is minimally effected - there were wooden and paper objects that were protected and preserved.
Finally, you reach the end and find out what happened to your person. Mrs. Candee, a women traveling first class survived, as I suspected. Although there were not enough lifeboats, women and children, particularly those in 1st class, survived, because of the "women and children" first tradition. Mr. Everett, alas, was not as fortunate - 3rd class men and the crew were the bulk of the casualities.
For more information on the exhibit, click here.
For more on the Titanic, click here.
Animals in Captivity - Good or Bad?
Well, sad news (times two) from the Georgia Aquarium this past week. First, Gasper, the beloved Beluga whale rescued from a Mexican amusement park, succumbed to osteomyelitis, a bone disease. Then Ralph, one of the whale sharks, died of unknown causes. These two incidents have led people to question the humanity of keeping animals in captivity.
It's a tough question, because both of these animals made it to the aquarium as part of a rescue: Gaspar, from his cramped and noisy tank beneath a roller coaster, and Ralph, from a whaling boat where he would've ended up on someone's dinner table. The issue is further complicated when you consider the success of rare animal breeding programs like ZooAtlanta's pandas.
What do you think?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
A Tourist in My Own City
Over Christmas break, I had the pleasure of showing my mother around our fine capital city. After searching for some sites to see on the internet, I found something called a "CityPass" - this was a ticket that for a set price got you into 6 attractions around the city - for about half the price of all the admissions!
It had its advantages and disadvantages - on the negative side, you had to use the tickets within a short period of time - 9 days. Also, you were limited to the 6 attractions that were included. However, the pros were very nice - the price and being able to bypass the admissions lines at most places.
So, where did we go?
The Georgia Aquarium - this was as amazing as I had heard - I loved the Belugas and the whale sharks, the penguins and the river otters. The tanks that were over my head were particularly impressive. The Deepo 4-D show was cute and fun - it was in 3-D with effects like bubbles, water sprays, and jellyfish tentacles going by. The crowds were HUGE, though, and that did take away some of the fun of the day. I would definitely go again, but at a less crowded time.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History - I always enjoy this, and what was really cool was that there was a special exhibit about ancient Rome - one of my mom's interests (unfortunately it ended on January 3rd). This was a choice ticket - I opted to go here instead of the Botanical Garden - also very nice, but it was a cold day.
The High Museum of Art - Very cool because the Louvre in Paris is sponsoring a 3 year rotation of some of its treasures - I stood face to face witha real Rembrandt - pretty awesome.
The Atlanta History Center - I had never been here, and I was really impressed! A lot to see and do. I thought it was going to be all about the Civil War and "Gone with the Wind" but it actually had some very cool exhibits. This was a choice ticket, too - we went here instead of the Zoo - the weather again was a factor - I showed my mom the PandaCam at home, though!
CNN Center - Interesting, but short. This is a 50 minute tour behind the scenes at CNN. We did get to see a live broadcast - that was cool.
World of Coke - One long Coke commercial...but a fun one, of course - especially trying the flavors from around the world - no, I did not try "Beverly" this time, but I have had it before. It was very crowded, too, but the CityPass let us pass right by the long line - that was great!
Overall, I enjoyed seeing Atlanta as a tourist, and it was fun to show my mom around. There were so many other places I would've liked her to see though...
What are some of your favorite places around town and why? Where do you like to take your family when they come to visit?
It had its advantages and disadvantages - on the negative side, you had to use the tickets within a short period of time - 9 days. Also, you were limited to the 6 attractions that were included. However, the pros were very nice - the price and being able to bypass the admissions lines at most places.
So, where did we go?
The Georgia Aquarium - this was as amazing as I had heard - I loved the Belugas and the whale sharks, the penguins and the river otters. The tanks that were over my head were particularly impressive. The Deepo 4-D show was cute and fun - it was in 3-D with effects like bubbles, water sprays, and jellyfish tentacles going by. The crowds were HUGE, though, and that did take away some of the fun of the day. I would definitely go again, but at a less crowded time.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History - I always enjoy this, and what was really cool was that there was a special exhibit about ancient Rome - one of my mom's interests (unfortunately it ended on January 3rd). This was a choice ticket - I opted to go here instead of the Botanical Garden - also very nice, but it was a cold day.
The High Museum of Art - Very cool because the Louvre in Paris is sponsoring a 3 year rotation of some of its treasures - I stood face to face witha real Rembrandt - pretty awesome.
The Atlanta History Center - I had never been here, and I was really impressed! A lot to see and do. I thought it was going to be all about the Civil War and "Gone with the Wind" but it actually had some very cool exhibits. This was a choice ticket, too - we went here instead of the Zoo - the weather again was a factor - I showed my mom the PandaCam at home, though!
CNN Center - Interesting, but short. This is a 50 minute tour behind the scenes at CNN. We did get to see a live broadcast - that was cool.
World of Coke - One long Coke commercial...but a fun one, of course - especially trying the flavors from around the world - no, I did not try "Beverly" this time, but I have had it before. It was very crowded, too, but the CityPass let us pass right by the long line - that was great!
Overall, I enjoyed seeing Atlanta as a tourist, and it was fun to show my mom around. There were so many other places I would've liked her to see though...
What are some of your favorite places around town and why? Where do you like to take your family when they come to visit?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
You Say You Want a Resolution?
Well, you know, as John Lennon said (the Beatles, back in the - gasp - 60s!), you gotta free your mind instead.
My resolutions are the usual - get organized; stop procrastinating (especially with my grading - yuck); watch less TV (unless it's educational, LOL); eat less and exercise more; save more and spend less - all the usual! And, it's January 2nd, and I haven't broken one - yet.
So, 'fess up - what are your resolutions? Study more? Goof off less? Actually turn your homework in on time?
BTW, the song was Revolution, not "Resolution" and was highly political - see lyrics here, if you're curious.
My resolutions are the usual - get organized; stop procrastinating (especially with my grading - yuck); watch less TV (unless it's educational, LOL); eat less and exercise more; save more and spend less - all the usual! And, it's January 2nd, and I haven't broken one - yet.
So, 'fess up - what are your resolutions? Study more? Goof off less? Actually turn your homework in on time?
BTW, the song was Revolution, not "Resolution" and was highly political - see lyrics here, if you're curious.
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