November 24, 2010
By Stephen Ornes
Just by watching waves roll on to the beach doesn’t help to see how the water changes much. But from the experiments made are showing that our waters are becoming acidic. And this process is called “acidification”. And it may mean bad news for animals like the Elkhorn coral, which is found throughout the Caribbean Sea. Elkhorn coral used to be easy to find in shallow water, but now it’s an endangered species. In the last 30 years, many populations of Elkhorn coral have collapsed, thanks to disease outbreaks, hurricanes and elevated temperatures. Scientists are working on saving these corals but they are not even close to being done. In more acidic waters, Elkhorn coral are less successful at reproducing sexually. Acidification happens because oceans absorb a gas called carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide makes the water more acidic. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, in the atmosphere comes from many sources, and human activities have added a significant amount. When we burn oil or gas to generate power (such as electricity or to fuel cars), we add CO2 to the air” say the scientists. I think this is another thing that we should really deeply badly think about.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Arf Arf
November 28 2010
Momo which is "peach" in Japanese is one of the newest and first ever in the world police dogs and she past her exams with almost everything correct. She was able to sniff out in 5 minutes with just a sniff of a hat a crime place. She is 7 years old and 6 pounds in weight. "There are situations when small dogs are useful," says Momo's owner, Keiko Matsuyoshi. Police agree. They think Momo's size will work to her advantage. They are hoping she is going to be capable of squishing through holes and finding injured or dead or alive people after natural disasters like volcanoes or earthquakes. "Any breed of dog can be entered to become a police dog in the search-and-rescue division," says one Nara police officer. But even police were surprised to have a Chihuahua join the force. "It's quite unusual," the officer added. For now Momo is resting at home eating chicken stew and waiting until 2011 to start the job. I love dogs and they are a part of nature and nature is science so ……
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3755302
Momo which is "peach" in Japanese is one of the newest and first ever in the world police dogs and she past her exams with almost everything correct. She was able to sniff out in 5 minutes with just a sniff of a hat a crime place. She is 7 years old and 6 pounds in weight. "There are situations when small dogs are useful," says Momo's owner, Keiko Matsuyoshi. Police agree. They think Momo's size will work to her advantage. They are hoping she is going to be capable of squishing through holes and finding injured or dead or alive people after natural disasters like volcanoes or earthquakes. "Any breed of dog can be entered to become a police dog in the search-and-rescue division," says one Nara police officer. But even police were surprised to have a Chihuahua join the force. "It's quite unusual," the officer added. For now Momo is resting at home eating chicken stew and waiting until 2011 to start the job. I love dogs and they are a part of nature and nature is science so ……
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3755302
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Are reusable bags dangaroaus...
November 15, 2010
Are Reusable Bags Dangerous?
After a report finds high levels of lead in reusable grocery bags, a U.S. senator calls for the government to investigate
By Jaime Joyce
"The Tampa Tribune newspaper, in Tampa, Florida, bought more than a dozen bags from Florida supermarkets. They paid a lab to test the bags for lead. The results showed that certain bags sold at Publix and Winn-Dixie supermarkets had lead levels that were a concern to health officials." said the Tampa Tribune.
Lead can't wear off on food but when the bags wear out or the color comes off the lead can freely come out and cause problems.
But the two stores took care of it and now they saved up more than 1 billion plastic and paper bags.
Are Reusable Bags Dangerous?
After a report finds high levels of lead in reusable grocery bags, a U.S. senator calls for the government to investigate
By Jaime Joyce
"The Tampa Tribune newspaper, in Tampa, Florida, bought more than a dozen bags from Florida supermarkets. They paid a lab to test the bags for lead. The results showed that certain bags sold at Publix and Winn-Dixie supermarkets had lead levels that were a concern to health officials." said the Tampa Tribune.
Lead can't wear off on food but when the bags wear out or the color comes off the lead can freely come out and cause problems.
But the two stores took care of it and now they saved up more than 1 billion plastic and paper bags.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Science Fun...
"Sucking An Egg In A Bottle- Science Experiment
What You Need:
1 hard-boiled egg, peeled
1 long-necked bottle
3 matches
Demonstrates Science Category: Physics (Thermodynamics)
What To Do:
1) Hard boil an egg and allow to cool. After the egg cools, peel off the shell.
2) Place a long-necked bottle on your kitchen table (or any table free from flammable debris)
3) Have an adult light 3 matches and place in the bottle (all matches at once, not one at a time)
4) Quickly put the egg on top of the bottle opening
3 minutes
Demonstrates scientific principles:
The matches heats the air, which causes it to expand. When the matches extinguish, it causes the air to contract as it cools. A lower pressure is created within the bottle, than on the outside. The pressure outside the bottle causes the egg to get sucked into the bottle.
Heat causes most solids and liquids to expand, and cooling causes them to contract. Atoms or molecules within the solids vibrate more quickly with the increased heat. This causes the solid/liquid to become larges, and when cooled, become smaller.
Make a Battery From a Piece of Fruit
Category: Chemistry
Materials Needed:
* One Lemon, Lime, Orange or Grapefruit
* One Two Inch Copper Nail
* One Two Inch Galvanized Nail
* One Two Inch Christmas Tree Light Bulb
* Electrical Tape
Have your kids start this project by rolling the fruit around on the table to soften it up. This gets the juice flowing inside the fruit without breaking the skin of the fruit. Once the fruit seems softened insert each of your nails in the fruit exactly two inches apart. Do not push your nails all the way through your fruit.
After you have placed your nails in your piece of fruit you will need to prepare the light bulb. Do this by removing about one inch of the lights insulation from the bulbs leads. Take one of the leads and attach it to the galvanized nail and another lead and attach it to the copper nail. Once you attach the second lead the bulb will light up. You can secure the leads to the nails with the electrical tape.
After your fruit battery has lit the bulb explain how this is possible to the children. Tell them that the acid in citrus fruits conducts electricity. You can use a multimeter if you have one to measure the current that the fruit battery is producing. You can also vary this experiment by trying different fruits and seeing which fruits produce more current.
Music And Plants
Experiment: What effect does music have on plant growth?
Category: Plant Science
Ages: Elementary, Middle School
One simple science project is to see what sort of effect music has on plant growth. To do this, all you need is three of the same type of plant. Try to find three that are fairly identical in shape and size, two CD players, a Rock and Roll CD, a Classical music CD and some masking tape and a marker. Once you have your three plants, put a piece of masking tape on each one and label them; Classical, Rock & Roll, and Quiet.
Then place them in three separate rooms. In the first room, set up one of the CD players and put the rock and roll CD in the player, turn it on and place the plant next to it. In the second room do the same, set up a CD player, put the classical music CD in, turn it on and place the second plant next to it. Place the third plant in a quiet room by itself.
Water each plant daily, just be sure not to drown them, and after one week record the results; how each plant is doing. Wait another week (watering the plants daily) and record how well the plants are doing again
Simple Science Projects
One of the most simple science projects is also an old classic.
Grow your Own Crystals
Category: Earth Science>Geology
Ages: Elementary, Middle school
Growing crystals is fun and easy. Younger children in particular love simple science projects like this because they can do most of the work on their own. Plus, science projects that yield a finished product they can keep make projects like this even more enticing.
I recommend these printable science project plans for K-12 for hundreds of great project blueprints and this step-by-step guide for doing an award winning science fair project. Also be sure to check out these fun science kits as a fast, simple way to get started on your science experiment.
A Fun Zone
Materials Needed:
Epsom Salt
Water
Pie Pan
Measuring Cups
Mixing Bowl
Sponges
Food Coloring
To begin this project you will need to boil water. This should be done by an adult or under adult supervision. While the water is boiling have the kids cut their sponges in small pieces or shapes of their choosing. Have each child place their sponge pieces in their own pie dish with a small separation between each piece of sponge.
Once the water is boiled have each child mix one fourth cup of Epsom salt with one half cup of water. Do this part in a separate mixing bowl. When the Epsom salt and water are mixed the children can all add their choice of food coloring to their mixture. Make sure they only add a drop so they don't throw off the balance between the water and the Epsom salt.
After they have colored their mixture each child can pour the mixture evenly over each of their sponge pieces. Once they have done that they should carefully place their pie dish on the windowsill or in another sunny location. The crystals will form as the water dissolves from the mixture. This will take several days. Have the children chart the progress of the crystal formation.
The great thing about simple science projects such as this one is that you can change them up and make the outcomes different. This can be done by using different shapes of sponge . You can also take the sponge out of the equation and just fill the bottom of the pan with water. Another fun spin on this would be to do an experiment with and without the sponge at the same time."
http://www.easy-kids-science-experiments.com/simple-science-projects.html
What You Need:
1 hard-boiled egg, peeled
1 long-necked bottle
3 matches
Demonstrates Science Category: Physics (Thermodynamics)
What To Do:
1) Hard boil an egg and allow to cool. After the egg cools, peel off the shell.
2) Place a long-necked bottle on your kitchen table (or any table free from flammable debris)
3) Have an adult light 3 matches and place in the bottle (all matches at once, not one at a time)
4) Quickly put the egg on top of the bottle opening
3 minutes
Demonstrates scientific principles:
The matches heats the air, which causes it to expand. When the matches extinguish, it causes the air to contract as it cools. A lower pressure is created within the bottle, than on the outside. The pressure outside the bottle causes the egg to get sucked into the bottle.
Heat causes most solids and liquids to expand, and cooling causes them to contract. Atoms or molecules within the solids vibrate more quickly with the increased heat. This causes the solid/liquid to become larges, and when cooled, become smaller.
Make a Battery From a Piece of Fruit
Category: Chemistry
Materials Needed:
* One Lemon, Lime, Orange or Grapefruit
* One Two Inch Copper Nail
* One Two Inch Galvanized Nail
* One Two Inch Christmas Tree Light Bulb
* Electrical Tape
Have your kids start this project by rolling the fruit around on the table to soften it up. This gets the juice flowing inside the fruit without breaking the skin of the fruit. Once the fruit seems softened insert each of your nails in the fruit exactly two inches apart. Do not push your nails all the way through your fruit.
After you have placed your nails in your piece of fruit you will need to prepare the light bulb. Do this by removing about one inch of the lights insulation from the bulbs leads. Take one of the leads and attach it to the galvanized nail and another lead and attach it to the copper nail. Once you attach the second lead the bulb will light up. You can secure the leads to the nails with the electrical tape.
After your fruit battery has lit the bulb explain how this is possible to the children. Tell them that the acid in citrus fruits conducts electricity. You can use a multimeter if you have one to measure the current that the fruit battery is producing. You can also vary this experiment by trying different fruits and seeing which fruits produce more current.
Music And Plants
Experiment: What effect does music have on plant growth?
Category: Plant Science
Ages: Elementary, Middle School
One simple science project is to see what sort of effect music has on plant growth. To do this, all you need is three of the same type of plant. Try to find three that are fairly identical in shape and size, two CD players, a Rock and Roll CD, a Classical music CD and some masking tape and a marker. Once you have your three plants, put a piece of masking tape on each one and label them; Classical, Rock & Roll, and Quiet.
Then place them in three separate rooms. In the first room, set up one of the CD players and put the rock and roll CD in the player, turn it on and place the plant next to it. In the second room do the same, set up a CD player, put the classical music CD in, turn it on and place the second plant next to it. Place the third plant in a quiet room by itself.
Water each plant daily, just be sure not to drown them, and after one week record the results; how each plant is doing. Wait another week (watering the plants daily) and record how well the plants are doing again
Simple Science Projects
One of the most simple science projects is also an old classic.
Grow your Own Crystals
Category: Earth Science>Geology
Ages: Elementary, Middle school
Growing crystals is fun and easy. Younger children in particular love simple science projects like this because they can do most of the work on their own. Plus, science projects that yield a finished product they can keep make projects like this even more enticing.
I recommend these printable science project plans for K-12 for hundreds of great project blueprints and this step-by-step guide for doing an award winning science fair project. Also be sure to check out these fun science kits as a fast, simple way to get started on your science experiment.
A Fun Zone
Materials Needed:
Epsom Salt
Water
Pie Pan
Measuring Cups
Mixing Bowl
Sponges
Food Coloring
To begin this project you will need to boil water. This should be done by an adult or under adult supervision. While the water is boiling have the kids cut their sponges in small pieces or shapes of their choosing. Have each child place their sponge pieces in their own pie dish with a small separation between each piece of sponge.
Once the water is boiled have each child mix one fourth cup of Epsom salt with one half cup of water. Do this part in a separate mixing bowl. When the Epsom salt and water are mixed the children can all add their choice of food coloring to their mixture. Make sure they only add a drop so they don't throw off the balance between the water and the Epsom salt.
After they have colored their mixture each child can pour the mixture evenly over each of their sponge pieces. Once they have done that they should carefully place their pie dish on the windowsill or in another sunny location. The crystals will form as the water dissolves from the mixture. This will take several days. Have the children chart the progress of the crystal formation.
The great thing about simple science projects such as this one is that you can change them up and make the outcomes different. This can be done by using different shapes of sponge . You can also take the sponge out of the equation and just fill the bottom of the pan with water. Another fun spin on this would be to do an experiment with and without the sponge at the same time."
http://www.easy-kids-science-experiments.com/simple-science-projects.html
Mysterios Lab Reflection
I had a lot of fun with Tati doing the lab with the corn starch. We did a big mistake by adding too much water and didn't get enough time playing around with the extreme goines. But, although we did mess up at the start we did get a chance to play around. It was amazing to see how just a simple mix of corn starch and water turn into a little slimy "monster".Oh and i also learned that 1 class can clean up a classroom in 10 minutes after a very messy experiment.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Under The Sea
October 22, 2010 By Suzanne Zimbler
Everyone says there are a lot of fish in the sea, but until now even scientists knew how many were there. So ten years ago, a group of scientists decided to try to find out. They said that they’d conduct the first-ever worldwide survey on the underwater marine life. Over 2,700 scientists from over 80 countries worked together for 10 years to count, track and study new underwater species . This month in a report they shared about what they learned. On their long journey they discovered many different species; they have given 1,200 new names to science. A furry white crab takes one of the names; it spends its life at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Near Africa in the Indian Ocean a 9 pound lobster takes the second one. Investigating for 10 years scientists found 250,000 marine species. In 10, 20, 30 years there might be even more or maybe less. The scientists say that we have to protect the oceans because the play a great role in our long or perhaps short lives.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,2026131,00.html
Everyone says there are a lot of fish in the sea, but until now even scientists knew how many were there. So ten years ago, a group of scientists decided to try to find out. They said that they’d conduct the first-ever worldwide survey on the underwater marine life. Over 2,700 scientists from over 80 countries worked together for 10 years to count, track and study new underwater species . This month in a report they shared about what they learned. On their long journey they discovered many different species; they have given 1,200 new names to science. A furry white crab takes one of the names; it spends its life at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Near Africa in the Indian Ocean a 9 pound lobster takes the second one. Investigating for 10 years scientists found 250,000 marine species. In 10, 20, 30 years there might be even more or maybe less. The scientists say that we have to protect the oceans because the play a great role in our long or perhaps short lives.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,2026131,00.html
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