More National Science Fair Winners...

It is amazing what some of these students are able to accomplish with their Science Fair Projects.  Siemens just announced their international winners this week in Washington.

http://desne.ws/ryiqF4

Lunar Eclipse on Saturday morning...Event Canceled at Herrett Center but the Eclipse is ON!

If there’s one pre-winter morning during which clear skies would be a very good thing, it’s Saturday, Dec. 10. Either way, a total lunar eclipse will occur that morning. It would be nice if those of us who get up early actually get to see it.

Anyone who wants to come to the Herrett Center that Saturday morning to view the eclipse is welcome to the Centennial Observatory at no charge. Astronomically speaking, the eclipse begins at 4:34 Saturday, Dec. 10 but no one will notice it yet. The moon will start to be visibly covered by the Earth’s shadow at 5:46 a.m. The Herrett’s large telescope will track it until 6:23 a.m. at which time the moon will be too low on the western horizon for it. At that time, smaller telescopes on the observatory deck will track the progress. The total eclipse will begin at 7:06 and be at its fullest point at 7:32 a.m. The sun will rise at 7:56 a.m. and the moon will set four minutes later.

The next total lunar eclipse that will be visible in southern Idaho will be in 2014.

UPDATED: Best "Toys" for kids and Borax snowflake recipe with pictures

This is an unusual post for me, but with the Holidays coming up, it was a good reminder about what matters most to our kids.  I like the posts on this Geek Dad website, so enjoy his Top 5, and then his 6th Best toy for kids.

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/12/6th-best-toy/

I promised my borax snowflake recipe, so here it is.  You will need powdered borax, pipe cleaners (white is best), wide mouth quart jar, a pencil, and boiling water.  I make these each year with my kids and classes that I visit, and they always turn out well.  If you save them, they do change from sparkly to white/opaque, but they keep their shape and I have some ornaments that my kids made years ago.  Enjoy the season!

My son made this apple with colored pipe cleaners... very cool!

My daughter cut a white pipe cleaner into 4 shorter pieces to do this snowflake.

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/boraxsnowflake.htm

Burley Junior High Science and Invention Fair

Last night BJHS showed their commitment to STEM by hosting a Science and Invention Fair, combined with CO2 racing cars built by students, and a friendly FLL Robitics Competition.  Thanks to Reda and Rick and all the science teachers at BJHS for your dedication to STEM and your students.  It was a great night!

Members from 3 FLL Robotics teams ready to compete

Michael making last minute modifications

The helium-filled remote controlled shark watches over the projects!

                                         Real life angry birds~too funny~

The egg cracking and cooking machine

My kids making Rocket Racers

CO2 Race Cars, designed and built by BJHS students

Members of the Rupert team make a plan

Go RoboSpuds!  Girl Power~

FLL Robotics teams from Declo, Minidoka, and BJHS

The Marshmallow Grinder...just for fun, the student said!

Project Learning Tree Fall Newsletter

With Winter around the corner, I wanted to post this before the snow flies.  I hope it flies soon!  I am posting my favorite crystal snowflake recipe tomorrow.  Check back!

http://www.plt.org/fall-2011

Herrett Center Planetarium Shows

These all look like great Holiday shows at the Herrett Center on the CSI Campus.  Take a break from shopping and enjoy one of these with your kids.  I can't wait to see the new show, "Santa Snork saves the Seasons!"

http://www.csi.edu/calendar/viewEvents.asp?ID=8469

Solar Energy Podcasts

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!  Maybe you have a few minutes to watch informative podcasts about solar energy from the American Chemical Society?  Or are you too busy shopping and eating?  Well, enjoy the break doing something you love!  I will post again on Monday.

http://www.acs.org/chemmatters

And thanks to my friend Cheryl who shares great articles...here is a 13 yr old kid who is designing solar panels using math!

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/18/meet-a-13-year-old-solar-panel-developer/