Blog
Science of Snowflakes
http://youtu.be/fUot7XSX8uA Snowflakes are infinitely beautiful, but are they infinitely unique? Here's all the science behind Earth's favorite cold crystal. Follow the author on Twitter: @jtotheizzoe Email author: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com Facebook:...
Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Perspectives Using a Case Study Approach
Implementing an issues-based framework to introduce scientific “units” is an effective approach to combining crucial aspects of the nature of science (NOS) with relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts and skills. It is the very...
Thermite Reaction
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcyXGtsX7j8&w=800&h=450] An exciting chemical reaction where all you need is aluminum foil and rusted ball bearings. A rusted iron ball bearing seems like it might be past its prime, as far as uses go. Thankfully, all...
Alkali Metals in Water – High Speed Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLNpQqikvKY Alkali metals can react explosively with water and it is textbook knowledge that this vigorous behaviour results from heat release, steam formation and ignition of the hydrogen gas that is produced. Here we suggest that...
SciNews Feb 2
Zebras, immune system, Gulf oil mystery, exoplanets and the physics of flight - lots of cool science to satisfy the science enthusiasts in your class. This eclectic collection of current science news stories is brought to you by STAOBlog. SciNews is published every...
Guess Who Game – Scientist Edition
Your objective in this game is to guess the Mystery Scientist on your opponent’s card by asking one question per turn, and eliminating any game board faces that don’t fit the Mystery Scientist’s description. Notice the diversity among the 24 Scientists. Fields of...
How much does a falling magnet weigh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0svs-uGx8s&feature=youtu.be Armed with a large neodymium magnet, an aluminium tube and a set of scales, Andy explores the interaction of forces generated as the magnet falls and the effect these forces have on the objects' weight....
What I Learned from Going Blind in Space
http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_hadfield_what_i_learned_from_going_blind_in_space?language=en There's an astronaut saying: In space, “there is no problem so bad that you can’t make it worse.” So how do you deal with the complexity, the sheer pressure, of dealing with...
Student-Created Bulletin Boards
By Victoria Iceton Bulletin boards, like anchor charts, may provide an efficient and useful tool for students to quickly refer to important concepts in the classroom. By providing students with a basic outline, small groups of students may work together to create the...
Why don’t bats get dizzy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wICCOJT0mLc When we are the wrong way up we tend to get headaches, feel dizzy and even faint. Yet bats hang upside down for days, weeks and months at a time without feeling ill. But how?
SciNews Jan 29
DNA, causes of blindness, girls and boys in academic achievement, unboiling egg white and a near miss with an asteroid. Lots of stuff to excite your students about science! This eclectic collection of current science news stories is brought to you by STAOBlog....
Instant Freeze Water – by Steve Spangler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMzio5sLN48 With freezing cold temperatures crossing the nation, The Spangler Effect takes a look at the phenomenon of instant freezing water and the dangers of leaving unopened soda bottles out in the cold. Subscribe to The Spangler...