Robots

Click on the above title to view many different kinds of robots. View all the bots and choose your favorites. Name and describe your 3 favorite bots.

5 legged freaks

Click on the title above to read about salamanders with deformities. Why do scientists think these specific animals are showing a higher rate of deformation?

New Solar Cells

Click on the title to read about the newest invention of solar cells. How are they different from traditional solar cells? How might they be used in the future?

Do you feel itchy?

Click on the title to read about what can make you itch. Explain how stress causes people to itch.

Out of this World

In the following video you will see an animated version of a new type of traveling. You will be able to travel to outer space! Watch the video, describe the take off, and explain why the people are able to float around once they exit the atmosphere.

New Table Technology

The following video was sent to me by one of my students. It's interesting to see what we can do with technology. This video is amazing, and I hope one day we will all be able to have something this innovative in our own homes. Watch the video and explain 3 ways this table will benefit you.

The Atom Smasher

Click the title above to read about why the atom smasher had to be shut down. Answer the following questions about the questionable piece of technology.

What caused the malfunction of the atom smasher?
Why hasn't the inventor been able to examine the damages?
What will these collisions help physicists understand?

A New Earth?

Click the title above to view an article that explains recent discoveries. Are there other Earthlike planets out there? What is one technique used to find these planets? What is the habitable zone?

Autumnal Equinox

Click on the link above to read about the fall equinox. For those of you who have had me in the past, this is the day where you can perform the egg experiment. For those of you who are new to the world of Ms. Maxwell, on the day of an equinox, a room temperature egg can stand on its end. For your comment to this blog, please post why it is possible for an egg to do this on an equinox.

SUNBURNS!

Click the title above to read the top 10 facts about sunburns. Answer the following questions:

How does the sun burn skin?
What does a sunburn really cause?
What's the best way to treat a burn?

Why is Earth so special?

Click the title above to read an article about Earth. Tell me 3 reasons why Earth is so special.

Gustav

Click the title above to view an article written about Hurricane Gustav. With our state being a major target, we are trying to reduce the destruction. Many people are comparing Gustav to Katrina that hit just 3 years ago. How do they compare? How do they differ? What are the major economic concerns we may face after the hurricane?

Advanced Robot

Click on the link below to see a new type of robot. Tell me what you think about this creation and how you think it will benefit us.

http://www.bostondynamics.com/content/sec.php?section=BigDog

8 New Natural Wonders

Hey guys! As I was browsing through sites this morning, I ran across this amazing article about the new natural wonders of the world. Click on the title "8 New Natural Wonders" above to open the link, read the article, and choose at least 3 wonders to describe. Tell me what you think about having new natural wonders named.

Pluto Defined

Visit the following link about what astronomers finally deem Pluto.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20080611/sc_space/plutonowcalledaplutoid

What word now defines the once 9th planet? What does this term really mean? Are you glad we finally know what to call Pluto? :)

I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Neither Fish Nor Fowl

The age old question of the platypus' origin has finally been answered. Read the following article and leave a comment with the answers to the following questions.

1. Why is the platypus genome so important?
2. What mammal characteristics do they have?
3. What reptile characteristics do they have?
4. In which order of taxonomy are these creatures placed?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080507/sc_afp/sciencebiologygeneticsplatypus_080507184740

Amazing Underwater Creatures

This is an absolutely phenomenal video. Watch it and leave a comment about 3 specific changes you saw happen to the underwater animals. Get ready to be amazed!

How amazed are you?

I ran across this video and was amazed by the talent of the elephant. Why do you think he is able to excel at his talent? Is his brain or body different from the other elephants'? Watch the following video and tell me how you feel about this amazing creature.

Are men more forgetful than women?

Click on the following link and read the article about forgetfulness. Who is more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease? How much more likely is a man to have mild cognitive impairment than a woman?

http://www.livescience.com/health/080416-men-memory.html

For the sports enthusiast in you

Our bodies are strained in strenuous activity. The following article tells how pitchers have a risk of developing shoulder strains due to the mound. Read more to find out how dirt really can hurt.

http://www.livescience.com/healthday/613854.html

Write a short summary about the article.

Bad Banked Blood

As we continue studying the human body, realize that all technologies may not benefit the masses. Watch the following video and explain why stored blood, while maintaining the ability to carry oxygen, cannot provide the body with its needs after a blood transfusion. What does this cause the blood vessels to do? Can this be fixed? How do you feel about blood transfusions now?

Is your brain always right?

The following video clip is from Bill Nye. The topic is Optical Illusions. Watch the following video and determine for yourself if your brain always interprets things as it should.

Tell me about the brain.

Visit the following interactive website to answer my questions.

http://www.innerbody.com/tutorial2/tutorial.html

What is the weight of the human brain?
What protects the brain?
What does the brain allow us to do?
What is "fight or flight"?

Different parts of the brain have different functions?

Last week I asked you to choose one part of the brain and describe its function. This week, instead of giving you a video, I will provide you with text. The following website is very informational and includes content on many parts of the brain and some fun knowledge as well. Visit the site and include 3 science facts you learned while reading the information.

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/nsdivide.html

Can a robot interpret my dreams?

New technology and the ability to use EEG data have enabled the construction of a robot that acts out human behaviors. Click on the following link to view an article about this robot.

http://www.livescience.com/technology/080222-sleep-robot.html

Do you think this machine can actually interpret dreams? Why or why not?

How do hormones affect us?

Read the following article about steroids and human growth hormones to create your opinion on how they affect the human body. Is there more harm done than good?

http://www.livescience.com/healthday/613571.html

Our Brain Part 2

This video is a fun way for us to learn the different parts of the brain. Choose one specific part of the brain mentioned in the video and describe its function.

Our Amazing Brain

With the idea of controllers we can control with our minds, we need to investigate how our brain actually works. Watch the following video and comment on the function of the brain and the cortex and the job of the neuron.

Can Newton's Laws be defied?

Forces have been a major topic of classroom discussion for us. This video is an example of how not all materials follow newtonian physics as Newton thought. By using dynamic research, we hope to find that unifying theory that links everything together. Watch the following video clip, and comment on why you think this particular non-newtonian fluid doesn't act as a liquid.

For All You Gamers Out There

As we approach our study of the human body, we will be investigating some amazing new technologies that enhance what we already do. I know that many of you enjoy playing video games, and when I found this article, I thought of you. Read through what we may soon be able to do with our nervous system and modern technology. http://www.livescience.com/technology/080221-ap-brain-controller.html What impact will this have on our lives and our constant quest for more knowledge?

Water Balloon Popping in Slow Motion

Watch the following video and explain to me which of Newton's Laws of Motion are demonstrated.


This video was taken using a new high speed camera. It captures so many shots per second that you are actually able to see what happens as a water balloon pops.

Is Springing Forward Bad For You?

Your first article assignment is to read the article about time change and comment to this post what your thoughts are about Daylight Savings. Is this a good or bad idea? What could we do as an alternative? The article is found at http://www.livescience.com/environment/070307_daylight_savings.html and contains other interesting reads. Over the course of the next few weeks, you will be allowed to comment about science articles via this website. Please take advantage of the technology and indulge yourself in the science content! :) Enjoy your read!

Ms. Maxwell

Trying something new

Hey guys and girls,

I just thought I'd try a new way for us to contact each other outside of class and participate in online assignments. This will be a fun, new way for us to communicate. Visit this page often so you don't miss the updates. After I post an assignment, look up the material, form an opinion, and post a response. You can post on mine or on other students'. Have fun!

Ms. Maxwell