Exactly 40 years ago today, the crew of the Apollo 8 mission wished the people of Earth a Merry Christmas as they orbited around the moon. It was the first time human beings had viewed planet Earth from such a great distance. It must have been an awesome sight. This video is a recording of what the Apollo 8 astronauts said:
I have been thinking more about this. I found this amazing image from the Hubble space telescope some time ago, and thought I would share it here today.
You really need to take a look at the high resolution file to appreciate its beauty. (Caution: It is large- 4Mb) This is from a dimly lit area of the sky where the Hubble collected light from galaxies so far away, the light we can see originated 13 billion years ago in the early days of the universe. Back then, galaxies were grouped much closer together than they are now. Indeed, in the beginning, there was light.
I’m a new fan of science guy Steve Spangler. I had not ever heard of him until someone posted a tweet on Twitter recently about his appearance on the Ellen show. In the Ellen video, Steve fills a bathtub full of cornstarch & water, which creates a sloppy, soupy mixture similar to cake batter. Ellen has an audience member run across the top of the mixture.
The demonstration caught my attention because our chemistry professor at K-State at Salina did a miniature version of the same idea at our school open house last April. She explained that with non-newtonian fluids if you move slowly, the mixture will let you pass, but if you hit it quickly, it will resist you. That is why the young lady was able to run across the top without sinking in.
So of course I had to read more about Steve Spangler. He has a website where one can purchase supplies needed for numerous science experiments, including the famous Diet Coke and Mentos geyser experiment. His patent pending Geyser Tube takes the guesswork out of creating a soda pop geyser. I’m planning to get a bulk pack of those things!
Perhaps one of the more interesting things I learned about Steve Spangler is his Science in the Rockies “boot camp for K-5 teachers who need creative science integration strategies.” It looks like a fun and engaging way for teachers to learn about science, and it looks like it starts today. I will have to book mark that site and try to encourage some of our local elementary school teachers to attend.
Well, I’m off to do some science experiments with my kids!
I am always fascinated by stories that tell of people operating at the junction of two different fields of thought, particularly those of the fields of art and science. Somehow, we have a notion that the thinking of artists and scientists is completely different, rarely if ever overlapping. I love stories that demonstrate the falsity of this notion.
For example, on NPR recently I enjoyed the story of Brian May, rock musician and astrophysicist. Dr. May was a physics student when the band he played in “Queen” became a smash hit and his studies were interrupted. He recently completed his Ph.D. in astrophysics after being away from school for 30 years. He epitomizes what I am talking about. Scientists can and many do have an appreciation for the arts.
I was watching CBS news this morning which showed a story of ant biologist Walter Tschinkel. Dr. Tschinkel makes molds of ant colonies by pouring plaster or liquid aluminum down ant hills. After the liquid hardens, he unearths some of the natural world’s most beautiful sculptures. Tschinkel appreciates the beauty of the ant colonies, suggesting that there is more art in science and nature than people realize.
I want my students to see these connections and to realize that working on one of these fields does not mean excluding out work in the other. Stories like these help to reinforce my point.
