Ruxz_M-rbu5hJUPoenSULdy6Wzk The Science of My Life: September 2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012

I love MOSS!

Still on my teacher bucket list is to participate in a program at the McCall Outdoor Science School.   Those are some seriously cool people up there.    Congrats on the recognition by the Albertson Foundation.  I know you will use the $50,000 to help as many students and teachers in Idaho as possible!

http://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/newsevents/featurestories/moss-id21

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTW644em8AA&feature=player_embedded

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Idaho STEM Pipeline

Yesterday I went to a meeting in Boise to hear summaries about the 2012 iSTEM Institutes.  They were very successful, and there were 370 teachers in Idaho that participated.  The amazing team at INL and BSU are ready for another successful year, and I am looking forward to participating again in summer 2013.  Teachers, the spots fill quickly, so be looking for announcements by February on the Dept of Ed website. 

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/

http://www.idahostem.org/

Another great resource that we all need to use is the idahostem.org website.  It will continue to improve as we share opportunities throughout the state.   And there is SO much going on!



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Hershey and Chase...Sept 20, 1952

60 years ago today...
I am always talking about DNA, and teachers everywhere usually start telling the story with the Hershey and Chase experiment. My favorite part of their story is that they used kitchen blenders to separate the pieces!  Martha Chase is still considered one of the pioneer women in science. 

On Sept 20, 1952, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase published a report confirming DNA holds hereditary data. Their experiment used the T2 bacteriophage, which, like other viruses, is just a crystal of DNA and protein. It can reproduce when inside a bacterium such as E. coli. When the new T2 viruses are ready to leave the host E. coli cell (and go infect others), they burst the E. coli cell open, killing it (hence the name "bacteriophage"). Hershey and Chase were seeking an answer to the question, "Is it the viral DNA or viral protein coat (capsid) that is the viral genetic code material which gets injected into the E. coli?" Their results indicated that the viral DNA, not the protein, is its genetic code material.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Endeavor Shuttle Flight today

Another one of the Space Shuttles is flying across the country on the back of a 747.  After a stop in Houston, the Endeavor will arrive in California for permanent display in LA.  This is a very cool sight to see, but I am still sad to think the Space Shuttle Program is over.  It has lasted almost my whole life!

http://www.nasa.gov/

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

INBRE Teacher Mini-Grant Opportunity

This is a great source of support and funds.  I have used them in the past for specific supply requests in my outreach efforts.  Please take advantage of this grant opportunity by the deadline at the first of November. 

https://mail1.csi.edu/owa/WebReadyView.aspx?t=att&id=RgAAAAB2mE%2b8q%2f%2faQaiUVs7HAKrWBwAMK2X2tXzkQod1Y6PjMQkuAINQdza2AACGXJE0asl%2fQZrLbq%2b6NvU3AABASbT%2bAAAJ&attid0=BAAAAAAA&attcnt=1&pspid=_1347990043023_150931926

If this link does not work, please email me and I will send you the information directly!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Herrett Center Activities this week

I love the Herrett Center on the CSI campus in Twin Falls.  They have some fun activities lined up this week. 
HERRETT HAPPENINGS!
 
 
Mingle in the Jungle (Tuesday, 6:00 pm)
This twice-monthly “Mingle in the Jungle” starts at 6 pm in the rainforest exhibit.  See and touch live reptiles from our Jungle Archaeology exhibit and beyond.  Mingle in the Jungle is a free family activity held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
 
International Observe the Moon Night (Saturday, 8:00pm to 10:00pm)
The Herrett Center for Arts and Science will take part in “International Observe The Moon Night” from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. The observatory will have several telescopes set up at various magnifications for moon and sky viewing. Admission is free of charge.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Planetarium Show:  “COSMIC COLORS: An Adventure Along the Spectrum!”
See the newest program at the Faulkner Planetarium, ‘Cosmic Colors: An Adventure Along the Spectrum’. We live in a colorful world. All around us we find vibrant greens, rich reds, cool blues, bright yellows and other colors. So what makes the sky blue? The plants green? What is responsible for color? Beyond the visible light we see are other wavelengths too, invisible to our eyes, but not inaccessible to us. Red, yellow, green, blue, purple, infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray; do all of these colors and wavelengths have unique personalities? Discover the nature of color and their personalities in this lively presentation.
The program, designed for all age groups, will illustrate what a colorful world we live in but how much we miss because we can’t see beyond what our eyes are equipped to detect. Discover the nature and origins of color in this lively presentation. Shows will be at 7 p.m. each Tuesday and Friday, and Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m. Other programs at the planetarium are ‘Lifestyles of the Stars’ at 2 p.m. Saturdays, ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd: Fly On Free Bird’ at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and ‘Led Zeppelin: Maximum Volume 1’ at 8:15 p.m. Saturdays.
Admission to the Faulkner Planetarium is $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for seniors, and $2.50 for students and children. Family specials are also available. For more information, call the Herrett Center for Arts and Science at the College of Southern Idaho at 732-6655 or go to www.csi.edu/herrett
 
 

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Another Season of PBS Dialogue for Kids

Starting this week is another season of monthly shows about science on IPTV.  I really enjoy learning about the variety of topics that are presented, and I get a kick out of seeing friends from state agencies visit the show as Joan's guests.  The best part for me as an educator is that I can search the archives of previous seasons and get ideas and lesson plans from dozens of shows.

This month we will learn about Galaxies.  Tune in with your kids or DVR the show on Tuesday, Sept 18 at 2:00 PM.

http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Busy Fall Schedule of SCIENCE!

Well, I am back to blogging!  I hope you have missed me at least a little as I have adjusted to my new job with College of Southern Idaho.  I will be catching up this week so that families and teachers can be aware of all the great activities and resources available this time of year.

I am presenting at the Fall Conference of the Snake River Association for the Education of Young Children in October.   The focus of the conference is STEM, so I have some fun ideas for the day.  Follow the link to register if you are a preschool teacher, parent, or student.

http://idahoaeyc.org/affiliatesmain.php?inner=sna