Search This Blog

About Me

My photo
Nottingham, NH, United States
I'm a middle school science teacher at Nottingham and I love biology!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Dolphins name themselves | Science News for Kids

Dolphins name themselves | Science News for Kids: "To call a dolphin, just whistle a squeaky shout-out.

Bottlenose dolphins answer to high-pitched bursts of sound. But each animal responds to only one specific trill. That trill is called its “signature whistle,” explain Stephanie King and Vincent Janik of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Their new finding appeared June 22 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Each dolphin develops a signature whistle — a distinct tune — for itself. Dolphins broadcast their tunes to others. The tunes seem to act as a sort of audible nametag."

'via Blog this'

Animals under Antarctic ice? | Science News for Kids

Animals under Antarctic ice? | Science News for Kids: "Lake Vostok is the seventh-largest lake on Earth. It is also the fourth deepest. Although it was discovered more than 20 years ago, humans have never laid eyes on it. And that’s because it lies beneath 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) of ice in the center of Antarctica. But its remote site has not kept scientists from trying to probe this lake and whatever it may hide. And if one team is correct, the mysterious lake has indeed been hiding a shocking mix of living things. Perhaps thousands of different organisms."

'via Blog this'

Science by Email | Biosecurity, Balance

Science by Email | Biosecurity, Balance: "News: A biosecure future  
   

Security systems are everywhere. Your home probably has locks on the doors. These protect you and your home, preventing people from entering and stealing items or causing damage. Biosecurity works in a similar way, except it involves protecting an area from the damage caused by pests and diseases.
"

'via Blog this'

tiltfactor » POX

tiltfactor » POX:  Try out POX - Save the people! It's a new science game that you can play online! Try it out and let me know what you think!



'via Blog this'

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Maths and Stats by Email | Money

Maths and Stats by Email | Money: "Article The value of money  
   

It’s clear that a one dollar coin is worth two 50 cent coins. Yet here in Australia, 50 cent coins are bigger, heavier, and made of similar metals. So why is the dollar coin worth more?

The short answer is that government tells us. In Australia, there are many laws about our money. One important law in this country states that Australian money must be accepted as a method of payment. These laws make sure that a one dollar coin is worth one dollar. But this isn’t the only way that money can be valued."

'via Blog this'

Video: How Rap Battles Are Helping High Schoolers Learn to Love Science | Underwire | Wired.com

Video: How Rap Battles Are Helping High Schoolers Learn to Love Science | Underwire | Wired.com: "
Back in 2002, the immeasurably talented MC of Blackalicious known as Gift of Gab wrote a lyrically athletic track called “Chemical Calisthenics.” For those who could follow his rapid-fire style, it was an immensely great science lesson and one of the best raps about chemistry ever. But he’s got nothing on Jabari Johnson, a high school senior from Harlem who can rhyme about kinetic energy better than most people can talk about it.

“Here’s the lesson, I know it kinda hurts but if you truly want to work then there must be progressions cause, FD=W the rule, and the unit measurement for the product is called joules, cool,” Johnson raps on “Quest for Joulelry,” which outlines the physics equation of Force times Distance equals Work."



'via Blog this'

Monday, July 22, 2013

Bernie Krause: The voice of the natural world | Video on TED.com

Bernie Krause: The voice of the natural world | Video on TED.com: "Bernie Krause has been recording wild soundscapes -- the wind in the trees, the chirping of birds, the subtle sounds of insect larvae -- for 45 years. In that time, he has seen many environments radically altered by humans, sometimes even by practices thought to be environmentally safe. A surprising look at what we can learn through nature's symphonies, from the grunting of a sea anemone to the sad calls of a beaver in mourning.

Bernie Krause's legendary soundscapes uncover nature’s rich sonic tapestry -- along with some unexpected results. "

'via Blog this'

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS: " ANCIENT ANATOMY - What dental records from the Mesozoic era can tell us about the lives of dinosaurs. How humans are uniquely adapted to throw baseballs. Also: an automated nature recording system that's monitoring environmental change. And, could vaccinating children protect the elderly as well?"

'via Blog this'

Two young scientists break down plastics with bacteria | Video on TED.com

Two young scientists break down plastics with bacteria | Video on TED.com: "Once it's created, plastic (almost) never dies. While in 12th grade Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao went in search of a new bacteria to biodegrade plastic -- specifically by breaking down phthalates, a harmful plasticizer. They found an answer surprisingly close to home.

Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao have identified a new bacteria that breaks down nasty compounds called phthalates, common to flexible plastics and linked to health problems. And they’re still teenagers."



'via Blog this'

Friday, July 19, 2013

Science by Email | Astrobiology, Periodic table

Science by Email | Astrobiology, Periodic table: "News: The search for life in the Universe  
   

The idea there are living organisms, as yet undiscovered by humans, living on other planets, has fascinated people for years. The search for alien life is not just a science fiction topic – it’s part of a scientific field called astrobiology."

'via Blog this'

Home, plastic home | Science News for Kids

Home, plastic home | Science News for Kids: "We live in an increasingly plastic world. Much of this plastic does not easily degrade and so survives to pollute the environment. But a great deal of trashed plastic will break into tinier bits that eventually wash into the ocean. There this debris has begun creating new homes for microbes, research now shows.

Plastic trash in the ocean hosts a diverse world of one-celled organisms, observe Erik Zettler, Tracy Mincer and Linda Amaral-Zettler. The three work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Marine Biological Laboratory, both in Woods Hole, Mass. They have given a new name to microbes and their plastic homes: the plastisphere (PLAS ti sfeer)."

'via Blog this'

Science News for Kids

Science News for Kids: Washed your hands lately? Well, the latest science news says that SOME dirt is actually good for you! Read all about it!



'via Blog this'

Monday, July 15, 2013

Saltwater crocodiles | EOL: Learning and Education Group

Saltwater crocodiles | EOL: Learning and Education Group: "The city of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory lies in the heart of crocodile country. In the 1950s, saltwater crocodiles were shot, skinned, and turned into shoes and handbags. After hunting was banned in the 1970s, crocodile numbers climbed. Now there’s a croc for every man, woman, and child in Darwin. Can the human citizens learn to live alongside their toothy neighbors?"

'via Blog this'

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS: " Podcast for 12 July 2013 - AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS - Male lyrebirds groove to their own music. Young fairywrens learn who their enemies are by watching their parents. Robotic seals help improve the quality of life of dementia patients. Also, could rats could help people keep their voices strong in old age?"

'via Blog this'

23-million-year-old lizard found preserved in amber | Science Recorder

23-million-year-old lizard found preserved in amber | Science Recorder:
"23-million-year-old lizard found preserved in amber. Measuring in at approximately 4.5 cm by 1.3 cm, the animal is an excellent example of a complete specimen." Wow! Check out the rest of the article and the photo of this amazing find!

'via Blog this'

Science by Email | Megafauna, Kites

Science by Email | Megafauna, Kites: "Megafauna mystery  
   

Giant wombats, short-faced kangaroos and the largest land lizard to ever have lived are just some of Australia’s megafauna. These large animals have mostly gone extinct. However, the cause of their extinction is still a matter of debate."

'via Blog this'

Friday, July 5, 2013

As Many Exceptions As Rules

As Many Exceptions As Rules:  This is a cool blog that asks many questions that can be answered through science! Check it out!!

'via Blog this'

Science by Email | Ice cores, Frosty foods

Science by Email | Ice cores, Frosty foods: "News: Cold to the core  
   

A fridge or freezer can preserve food for weeks, months or years. But that’s nothing compared to glaciers, with layers of ice preserving information about Earth’s climate for thousands of years."



'via Blog this'

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Maths and Stats by Email | Ancient social networks

Maths and Stats by Email | Ancient social networks: " The Ancient Greek social network  
   

In the last decade, services such as Facebook have provided scientists with lots of information about current friendship links. However, they tell us little about historical friendships. So what might be the structure of an Ancient Greek social network?"

'via Blog this'

Firefly Delight | Science News for Kids

Firefly Delight | Science News for Kids: "Summer is a magical time. I love the vivid flowers, the brilliant sunsets, and, perhaps most amazing of all, the bright flashes of fireflies dancing in the night.

In my fascination with fireflies, I’m not alone."

'via Blog this'

Bang, Sparkle, Burst, and Boom | Science News for Kids

Bang, Sparkle, Burst, and Boom | Science News for Kids:  How do fireworks work? Find out here!

'via Blog this'

Nobelprize.org

Nobelprize.org: The new Nobel website is up and running! Check out the top 10 most popular Nobel Laaureates and learn about some of the work that people who have been nominated are doing!

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS

Science Update: The Science Radio News Feature of the AAAS: "BRAINS & BEHAVIOR - When apes take a gamble. The value of precision in negotiations. And a new approach to targeting drug addiction in the brain. Also: what above-ground nuclear tests in the mid-20th century can tell scientists about the brain."

'via Blog this'