Science + Gaming = WOOHOO! May 26, 2008
Posted by Daniel Rivera in : Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Science, Gaming, Innovation, Life Science, Physical Science, Science, Teaching & Learning, Technology, Video , comments closedSpore is a retail game that hit store shelves on September 7th, 2008.
Satellite Flybys May 2, 2008
Posted by Michael Stokes in : Astronomy, Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Science , comments closedWant to see a satellite in orbit? Check out the Satellite Flybys by spaceweatherphone. Just enter your zip code and you have the times and dates for those night time flybys that are visible.
In other news from SpaceWeather:
The ionosphere is our planet’s “final frontier.” A realm of dancing auroras, radio-bending plasma bubbles and dangerous ultraviolet rays, it is the last wisp of Earth’s atmosphere that astronauts leave behind when they enter space. Now you can explore the ionosphere from the safety of your own home. Yesterday, NASA-supported researchers unveiled a “4D” computer model for the general public. Download a few files and presto–you’re flying through the ionosphere. The model shows the ionosphere as it is right now; it’s a real-time display based on current solar activity and atmospheric conditions.
“4D” live model of Earth’s ionosphere May 1, 2008
Posted by Michael Stokes in : Astronomy, Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Science , comments closedNASA-funded researchers released to the general public a new “4D” live model of Earth’s ionosphere. Without leaving home, anyone can now fly through the layer of ionized gas that encircles Earth at the edge of space itself. All that’s required is a connection to the Internet. You can watch the video online or you can download and launch your own 4D ionosphere by following some simple directions. Click here to go there.
History Goes to the Moon March 28, 2008
Posted by Michael Stokes in : Astronomy, Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Science , comments closedNASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, due to launch in 2008, will play some crafty tricks to find water on the moon. These include using starlight to see into deep, dark craters and checking the temperature with a device known as “Diviner.”
A divining rod or dowser is a stick used in searching for underground water or minerals. This form of divination is still in common use in many parts of the world. The instrument is typically a forked twig. The operator holds the forked ends of the twig close to his body, with the stem pointing forward. When he walks over a spot under which water or the desired mineral lies, the stem of the divining rod is supposedly pulled down. Impartial research, however, has indicated that successes in this method result mostly from chance and possibly also from a heightened sensitivity to visual cues of which the diviner is unaware.
If the “Diviner” does find water or ice, then having ice to mine nearby would provide much more than just a ready source of drinking water. Lunar homesteaders could use the water to grow plants for food. Splitting water molecules with electricity from solar panels would produce oxygen to replenish the outpost’s air. It would also produce hydrogen gas, an excellent rocket fuel that could power the astronauts’ return vehicle. (The fuel for the Space Shuttle’s main engines is liquid hydrogen.)
Our thanks to ITLnet Blog for sharing this nifty Science story!
Solar Sun Burst March 26, 2008
Posted by Michael Stokes in : Astronomy, Earth Science, Physical Science , comments closed
Solar activity is surging. Three large sunspots have materialized and at least one of them harbors energy for strong solar flares. An M2-class eruption on March 25th hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space and emitted radio bursts audible in shortwave receivers on Earth. NOAA forecasters estimate a 50% chance of more M-flares during the next 24 hours.
Do these flares affect more than shortwave radio receivers here on earth? Should schools be worried about computers and other resources? Looks like we’re in for some turbulent space weather. Kind of makes you want to brush up on your understanding of solar-terrestrial terms, doesn’t it? Lighten up! Dr. Flare has the answer to these kinds of questions.
The Rites of Spring March 20, 2008
Posted by Jeff Giddens in : Physical Science, Science , comments closed
Today I’ll be working with a group of middle school Science teachers. One of the topics the group will be exploring is energy. What with it being the first day of Spring (and Sun-Earth Day 2008), I thought I’d pull together a few, web-based resources to supplement the work they’ll be doing back in the classroom so that students can spring into energy when necessary. I know that potential and kinetic energy will be big topics in our discussions today so I’m willing to bet that our group will enjoy playing with the Treb Challenge and a few, other work and energy related simulations as we explore such concepts.
Energy Crisis: Recharging Creative Batteries December 13, 2007
Posted by Jeff Giddens in : Physical Science, Science , comments closedLooks as if if I’m going to have a very busy day. Not long ago, I was assisting educators who wanted to teach Science with toys. Today, however, I’m working with Science teachers who are exploring the concept of energy and how it is important in everyone’s daily life.
Keepon Keepin’ On November 15, 2007
Posted by Daniel Rivera in : Arts, Collaboration, Emerging Tech, Health, Humor, Innovation, Music, Physical Science, Science , comments closed
This small and cute little guy is a robot, and he dances. It’s a simple dance at first glance, but what is so remarkable about him is that he doesn’t have a pre-programmed dance. Marek Michalowski of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, US, and Hideki Kozima of the National Institute of Communications Technology (NICT) in Kyoto, Japan, programmed the squishy, yellow robot, called “Keepon”, to pick out the beat in a piece of music and move along in time. It can also track the rhythmic motion of a person or another object and move in time to that.
One goal of the research is to better program robots to interact realistically with humans. Something as simple as nodding along in conversation is a huge step in making robots more engaging. They argue that human social behavior shares much in common with dance, and that humans use body movement and speech in rhythmic ways during normal interactions. Check out the official site: http://beatbots.org for more info.
What’s interesting to me about this is the kind of work that these scientists are doing. More and more, scientists in one field are teaming with experts in very different fields. For example, scientists working with robotics may team with those from behavioral psychology (programming robot AI) to entymology (researching swarm behavior for robots). Our REAL science is becoming even more multi-disciplinary and requires unprecedented collaboration, sharing, and teamwork. Where is this in our science classrooms? Where is the experimentation and play? Where is the joy?
Watch some videos of this little robot in action below. The last one is an official music video for Spoon’s Don’t You Evah – that’s right, it stars in a music video! Note that we are hosting the files here on SEGATech because YouTube (their original location) is often blocked in school systems…
Friday Fun: Cartoon Physics November 2, 2007
Posted by Jeff Giddens in : Physical Science, Science , comments closedI’m in Macon today at the Macon State College ETTC, attending training with some of my counterparts from around the state. One of the topics we’re discussing is energy. We’re examining all kinds of concepts related to Physics and all kinds of other good things. Seems like the perfect time to have a little fun.
When was the last time you or your students played around with ideas related to Physics? Why not check out Crayon Physics and see how the clever application of Newton’s Laws of Motion and other concepts related to motion can be fun? Don’t feel guilty about enjoying the challenge. When you’re doing fun things, you tend to learn. If you’re successful, chalk it up to the power of playing with ideas.
Download Crayon Physics here or check out other intriguing offerings from Kloonigames.
For more motion fun (i.e., projectile motion, sans crayon motif) fire a few virtual cannonballs and try to get the longest range for your efforts or tinker with Newton’s Mountain Cannon .
Quasi-physics related link: Why does a shower curtain move toward water?
Hands-On Halloween Science! October 11, 2007
Posted by Daniel Rivera in : Chemistry, Current Events, Physical Science, Science, Seasonal , comments closed
Planning a Halloween party or need ideas for a kids’ Halloween party? Try mixing up a batch of gross slime or a bubbling dry ice potion. For a spooky party, turn off the lights and watch the atomic slime and worms glow. Or write hidden messages and make eerie Halloween sounds. Just follow Steve’s recipes for Halloween science fun.
Steve Spangler’s Favorite Halloween Recipes and Videos
What I love about Steve Spangler’s science experiments is that they are real, hands-on science experiments that are fun and easy to implement. Steve gives us full descriptions, videos of the experiments, equipment lists, and even a breakdown of how the science works. Your kids will have a blast.