Archive for the ‘science’ Category:


Science is a Contact Sport with the Brightest Minds in the World @GovInternships

How are you going to help the students you teach get more interested, motivated, and excited THIS WEEK about becoming scholars in the areas of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math? Consider sharing the following six minute video and discussing it. Multiple researchers (including post-doc students) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (in Tennessee) describe

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Virtual DNA Fingerprinting Lab (1 to 1 Learning in Yarmouth, Maine)

In this three minute video, high school biology teacher Julie Raines describes a free “Virtual DNA Fingerprinting Lab” which her students in Yarmouth, Maine, were completing the day my daughter and I participanted in a tour of their school. Check out Julie’s fantastic science curriculum wiki (yhs-raines.wikispaces.com) for additional links and resources. More videos from

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Tweets and Photos from Astronauts in Space: Consider the Possibilities!

Someday I hope to see the Aurora Borealis in person. Until then, I’ll continue to settle for amazing photos of it. The following photo, taken by US astronaut Douglas Wheelock from space over Europe at night, was included in the November 22nd Triggerpit post, “Incredible Space Pics from ISS by NASA astronaut Wheelock.” The aurora

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Milk Carton Recycling and Composting in Maine

As a third grade student in Maine, Sophie Towle became motivated to do something about our environment and recycling. As a result of her work with others in her community of South Berwick, the school district now recycles milk cartons and other organizations have taken notice. Sophie presented recently at a school cafeteria conference in

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International Collaboration and Bluetooth Prosthetics in Oklahoma #cwf2010

The Oklahoma Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park in Oklahoma City has an amazing, diverse array of international scientists, engineers, and researchers. Dr Michael Anderson addressed a group of international guests attending the Creativity World Forum on November 18, 2010, and provided background about the dynamic ways PHF Research Park is catalyzing innovation in Oklahoma and

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Rapid Prototyping, Digital Fabrication, STEM, NSF and Karen Cator

If you’re an educator, parent, or community leader interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) you need to know about rapid prototyping and digital fabrication. According to the English WikiPedia: A digital fabricator (commonly shortened to fabber) is a small, self-contained factory that can make objects described by digital data. Fabbers make three-dimensional, solid

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Construction Engineers and Concrete Masons can save MILLIONS of lives (Haiti earthquake story)

Did you know the February earthquake in Chile which followed the devastating quake in Haiti in January this year was 500 times stronger, but caused only 1% of the loss of life which was attributed to the Haitian earthquake? Why the difference, when the earthquake in Chile was so much stronger? In the eight minute

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Great student project examples, lesson ideas and links integrating media #learning2cn

Today our team of cohort learning facilitators for the Learning 2.010 conference in Shanghai met and planned our activities for the next couple of days. I’m enthused to be working with Carol Jordan in the “Visual and Digital Literacy” cohort at the conference. Carol teaches Chemistry and “Theory of Knowledge” at the Shanghai American School.

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Podcast356: Discussing EV (Electric Vehicle) Technology and Plugin Hybrids with Nathan Parrow of Oklahoma Robotics LLC

This podcast is a recording of an interview with Nathan Parrow of Oklahoma Robotics LLC, discussing EV (electric vehicle) technology and plugin hybrids. According to their website: Oklahoma Robotics LLC is a group of design engineers ready to take on your custom project.  They have worked in various fields including electronics, programing, audio/video, computer,

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Critical thinking is more important than ever amidst Internet-based denier propaganda

Critical thinking has ALWAYS been an important part of a high quality education. A case can be made in our information-awash society today, however, that critical faculties are needed NOW more than ever. The May 2010 issue of NewScientist magazine includes a special report section titled, “Age of Denial: Why so many people refuse to

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From Lesson Plans to Online Curriculum by Jim Askew #ok1to1 (Amazing open Chemistry curriculum)

These are my notes from Jim Askew’s afternoon presentation at the Crescent Public Schools‘ 1:1 learning conference on 4 June 2010. Jim teaches chemistry at Crescent, develops curriculum with Crescent teachers, and leads their TAH (Teaching American History) grant. The title of his session was, “From Lesson Plans to Online Curriculum.” MY THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS

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Scratch, Stopmotion, Lego Robotics, Worm Farming and more at Kids College in Altus

The past two summers, I have facilitated week-long youth workshops on stopmotion moviemaking in Edmond, Oklahoma. This summer I’m not planning to lead one, but I’ve received a few phone calls and emails in past months from parents asking me to. For parents / kids / families living near Altus, Oklahoma, I’d encourage you to

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NCLB has killed creative teaching and energetic learning about science (at least before state testing)

Carol Engelmann, in a video interview for the Imagine It! Project, correctly observes our politically-inspired educational culture of high stakes accountability (NCLB) has severely hurt the cause of creative teaching, driven passionate teachers away from the profession, and DISCOURAGED rather than encouraged excitement in many K-12 science classrooms. video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player Carol

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Delivering Distance Engineering Courses Utilizing Web-based Electronic Media by Kurt Gramoll #odla2010

These are my notes from Kurt Gramoll ‘s keynote presentation “Delivering Distance Engineering Courses Utilizing Web-based Electronic Media” at the Spring 2010 ODLA conference on April 23, 2010 at the OU K-20 Center. Simon is a professor at Oklahoma University. MY THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS ARE IN ALL CAPS. Background – professor at OU – aerospace

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ODLA 2010 Spring Conference Program Available

This Friday, April 23rd, the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association (ODLA) will hold its spring conference at the K-20 Center on the campus of Oklahoma University in Norman. The conference program is available in PDF format. The conference keynote speaker will be Dr. Kurt Gramoll. The conference program includes the following bio for Dr. Gramoll: Prof.

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Painting with Light! LCD Pens, Circuits and Creativity

This evening my son and I attended a two hour “Light Painting Workshop” at the Oklahoma City CoCo. (Coworking Collaborative) We learned about “makers,” building electronic circuits, LCD lights, and photography while we experienced new ways to have creative fun! During the workshop we built LCD light pens, and then used them to create different

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Brush Up on Modern Physics – Free

Although I was a “fuzzy major” in college, I love science and particularly love learning about theoretical physics. This can likely be attributed to my outstanding physics teacher at Manhattan High School, Ron Curtain. Even though I fared rather poorly grade-wise in freshman physics at USAFA, I enjoyed reading books like “The Tao of Physics”

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NASA Resources for Millennial Learners by Mark Clemente

These are my notes from Mark Clemente’s presentation, “NASA Resources for Millennial Learners” at the One to One Institute‘s conference on November 9, 2009 conference in Chicago, Illinois. MY THOUGHTS ARE IN ALL CAPS. I am recording this session and hope to share it as a podcast later. NASA eClips is NASA’s newest program, one

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Designing for Learning: Engaging Students and Teachers from the Arctic to Australia by Aaron Doering

These are my notes from Aaron Doering’s presentation, “Designing for Learning: Engaging Students and Teachers from the Arctic to Australia” at the 21st Century Learning @ the West Lake Expo held Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2009 at Xi Hu, China, also known as West Lake. West Lake is in the center of Hangzhou, China,

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1:1 in a High School Science Classroom

These are my notes and some links from Susan Perkins’s presentation “1:1 in a High School Science Classroom” at ACTEM 09. (I got to this session really late, unfortunately, but I had a good excuse! I met Angus King!) This was a GREAT session. Susan is doing EXACTLY what we hope teacher will do when

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