Category: science
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Reflections on IQ, cognitive development, and distributed learning
If you and your students think you face “high stakes” for standardized tests taken at school this year, consider the case of Daryl Atkins, whose life was literally on the line based on his repeated test performances. His story is instructive not only because of the heavy weight it shows our society sometimes places on…
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A science fair project changing the world?
“Meet the Robinsons” is one of my favorite movies for many reasons. The way in which the film celebrates creativity, innovation, and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances is wonderful. Louis, the hero, is an aspiring science fair inventor, who eventually realizes his dreams and creates (or discovers) inventions which help shape the world…
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Head faking kids to love programming and change the world
If Randy Pausch’s final lecture is representative of intellectual and emotional passion to be found on campus, Carnegie Mellon University must be an incredible place to learn. I watched Dr. Pausch’s final lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” via YouTube on our living room television this evening with my wife thanks to a tweet by…
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Visualizing evidence for dark matter
What is dark matter? Do you “believe in it?” Why do some scientists say dark matter must exist, even though humans on earth have yet to invent (or discover) a “detector” which can sense and measure dark matter? What elements compose dark matter? If dark matter exists, how much of the universe is filled with…
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Sorry honey, you can’t believe everything you read in your printed science textbook
NOTE: PLEASE SEE THE DISCUSSION IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. I STAND CORRECTED, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING A NEEDLE WHICH HAS BEEN “MAGNETIZED” IS A MAGNET. I HADN’T REALIZED THIS PREVIOUSLY, SO THIS IS A BENEFIT OF MAKING YOUR THINKING TRANSPARENT… ALTHOUGH I FEEL SHEEPISHLY IGNORANT FOR NOT KNOWING THIS AS AN ADULT. THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE…
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“What is Schooliness?” – Discursus and Open Thread (Clay Burell guest-post 2)
I Love Learning. I Hate Schooliness. –this is my motto. It’s one of the reasons I wrote (in a post, “On Leaving Teaching to Become a Teacher,” with about 70 comments now), I’m not sure how much longer I want to work for schools. I’d so much rather teach. So what is “schooliness”? I have…
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The merits of multiple perspectives in the classroom
I posted the following as a comment today to Derrall Garrison‘s blog post “Can an Evolutionist and a Creationist both be part of one’s personal learning network?” Derrall: I personally think it is great to have opportunities to interface with people that have diverse perspectives and ideas, and to encourage our students to as well.…
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Podcast223: Strengthening America’s Foundation in STEM Education by Dr. Steven Beering
This podcast is a recording of Dr. Steven Beering’s keynote address at our luncheon today during the 2008 OU K-20 Center’s MidWinter Conference in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Beering is the Chair of the National Science Board of the United States. He was appointed by the President of the United States and his appointment was confirmed…
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Oklahoma Science PDI
These are my notes from a presentation on “Oklahoma Science PDI: Schools Responding to Challenges of the Future” at the 2008 OU K-20 Center’s 2008 MidWinter Conference in Norman, Oklahoma. My thoughts and comments are in all caps. I am recording this session and may post as a podcast, pending permission and time to post…
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Physics of light and temperature
Does anyone understand the physics of why the air temperature measured when different wavelengths of light cast by a refracting prism vary? My son investigated this for his science fair project this year (4th grade) and I honestly don’t understand the reasons why this happens. If you have ideas on this, please leave a comment…