CSI Herrett Center Star Party

On Tuesday, January 10th, the Centennial Observatory will be open for another “Telescope Tuesday” from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity to see planets, star clusters, colorful double stars, and more. Admission is $1.50 per person (free for kids 6 and under), or free with paid admission to the 7:00 PM showing of “How to Build a Planet” in the Faulkner Planetarium.

The observatory will also be open Saturday, from 6:30 PM to midnight, for our monthly free star party. Prime targets will include Venus, Jupiter, and the moon. Come when you like, and stay as long as you want.

All observatory events are weather permitting, and the observatory is not heated to provide the best views, so please dress warmly. For more info on observatory events and what’s happening in the sky, dial 732-MOON.

Today in Science History

As we start the new year, I think it is always fun to remember the great men and women who came before us to question, discover, and inspire the scientists and science educators of today.  We know their names from the textbooks, but we can learn so much from these great people by knowing their stories.  I came across this website today, and I wanted to share. 

http://www.todayinsci.com/

The opening picture reminds me of a photo making the rounds on Facebook.  It shows a collage of scientists and great thinkers on the left of the image, and a reality star on the right.  The caption reads something like, "If you can't name the people on the left, but you know who this is...Congratulations, you are what is wrong with this country."  Thankfully, I could name almost all of the scientists, and I have never seen the reality show that the person on the right is known for.  But we can all do better to celebrate the people whom we owe so much.

Today is Stephen Hawking's birthday, and also Alfred Russel Wallace.  Have fun exploring the site!

UPDATED: FRC KickOff! The Game is Rebound Rumble!!

Tomorrow marks the official start of FRC 2012!  Teams in Idaho are meeting in Idaho Falls to pick up their kits and learn about the new challenge from FIRST headquarters.  I am so excited to follow our Declo FRC Team!  This is a huge commitment for the families, and it is a great opportunity for the high school students who have chosen to participate.  Have fun tomorrow and keep us posted.  The teams have about 2 months to design and build their robots, and the competitions start in March.  Good luck in 2012!

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/
http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/

Rebound Rumble is played by two competing alliances on a flat, 27 x 54 ft field. Each alliance consists of three robots. They compete to score as many basketballs into their hoops as they can during a 2 minute and 15 second match. The higher the hoop in which the basketball is scored, the more points the alliance receives.

The match begins with a 15-second Hybrid Period in which robots operate independently of driver inputs. During this Hybrid Period, one robot on each alliance may be controlled using a Microsoft Kinect. 

How cool is that!!

Admiral Fitzroy Storm Glass

I received the coolest Christmas present from my in-laws.  I am now the proud owner of a Fitzroy Storm Glass.  It took me a minute to realize how cool this weather gadget was, because I had never heard of it...but Admiral Fitzroy's name was very familiar.  Well, of course he was the captain of the HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin around the world on his famous adventure.  While on this 5 year journey, the captain made detailed observations of this weather glass, which had been used since the 1700s, and refined the design and materials used.  I am thrilled to have a piece of Beagle history in my house!  But what is so much cooler , is that you can make your own...with a little help from friends with chemicals... (Megan, that's you!)  So here are your very own instructions to make a storm glass.  Happy Winter!!

 http://chemistry.about.com/od/weirdscience/a/fitzroy.htm

and here is a link to some good questions that came up from this article...
http://chemistry.about.com/b/2010/09/03/storm-glass-specifics.htm

Boise State University Science Competition Day - Feb 4th

This looks awesome!  I am going to find out more about this event, and try to get some Mini-Cassia teachers and students on board!  HS Teachers, please check this out for you and your students!!  See you in Boise on February 4th!!  The deadline to register as a team or as individuals is Jan 27. 

http://coas.boisestate.edu/scicomday/description/

Idaho Powering Tomorrow Grants

From Idaho Power on Facebook...
Where’s Larry? He’s talking with us tomorrow re: our Powering Tomorrow Grants. You’ve got until Jan. 31 to tell us how your unique, educational program could use a $1,500 grant. Learn more here or tune in to KTVB at 5am tomorrow!

Teachers and others with nonprofit groups can apply for these grants.  Clubs, robotic teams, community centers, and schools have already shared their stories on Facebook, so get going! 

http://www.ktvb.com/community/blogs/wheres-larry/Learning-Lab-Powering-lives-136583788.html

Kool-Aid Chemistry and favorite Kool-Aid recipe for playdough

One of my goals for this blog is to make science fun for families to explore and understand together.  So I downloaded Popular Science for my new Kindle :), and I get daily science articles.  I am sharing the Kool-Aid link because I have been making homemade playdough for years thanks to my friend Natalie and this recipe.  Recently I have been using this basic recipe to explore a new experiment called Squishy Circuits that teaches children about circuitry using playdough.  Absolutely the coolest thing ever!

So here is the Popsci.com article and my recipe.  I will also link you to Squishy Circuits.  I am preparing demos to take to schools in 2012.  Very exciting!

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2011-11/instant-kool-aid-eight-ounces-water-and-full-innovation

http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/apthomas/SquishyCircuits/index.htm

Kool-Aid Playdough:
MIX Together:  3.5 cups flour, 0.5 cup salt, and 1 TB cream of tartar
MIX together: 4 packages koolaid...same color and flavor
                        2.25 cups boiling water
                        3 TB oil

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and knead, first with a spoon since it will be hot, then with your hands!  The flour used is actually variable...I start with 3 cups and add until the dough is not sticky.  I store this playdough in the fridge in an airtight container for months.  It is great fun for all ages!
I usually half the recipe so that I can make 4-5 batches of different colors without using all the flour in the house!