By Blog Editor Susan Wells
Rescuers are still digging through the rubble and debris after a monster tornado roared through Moore, Oklahoma yesterday. Spectacular video is surfacing of the tornado that leveled neighborhoods, schools and more.
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On Sunday, May 26th, a very special sunset will take place. Three planets - Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will form a triangle in the night sky. They will all be visible to the naked eye or seen together in a binocular field.
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Parents - does your teacher have their fill of mugs, candles and smelly lotion? What are you giving your favorite teachers this year?
Teachers - what gifts do you appreciate the most? Gift cards, items for next year's classroom, books, or hand-written notes and gifts?
We love and appreciate all teachers at Steve Spangler Science and want to help share ideas and
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Have you ever wondered how clouds form? We all learn the water cycle in school - water falls from the clouds in the form of rain or snow and collects on the ground. The water on the ground heats up and turns to vapor and the vapor travels up into the atmosphere and creates clouds.
But how do those clouds form?
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A few weeks ago, Steve Spangler received a tweet from an elementary school teacher:
April Von Maxey teaches fourth grade science at Tavares Elementary School in Tavares, Florida. She is a tad biased, because it is also the school she attended as a child. Mrs. Von Maxey teaches alongside many of her grade school teachers.
Last year, the superintendent challenged all elementary schools in the district to become STEM schools. To complete the certification, the school had to hold a science fair that involved a community business.
Mrs. Von Maxey took on the challenge and coordinated this year’s science fair. She reached out to local community business partners to participate as sponsors or bring displays or activities. They had 10 businesses participate and hope to double this next year. Their big wish is to get a Sea Plane at the science fair. Taveres is America’s Sea Plane City after all.
To encourage and motivate kids to participate in the science fair, Mrs. Von Maxey promised the first 25
Rescuers are still digging through the rubble and debris after a monster tornado roared through Moore, Oklahoma yesterday. Spectacular video is surfacing of the tornado that leveled neighborhoods, schools and more.
How Does a Tornado Form?
Tornadoes need two things to form – a thunderstorm and wind shear. Wind shear is created from winds blowing in different directions and increasing with height. The winds are at two different altitudes and blow at two different speeds. For example, a wind at 1,000 feet above the surface blows at 10 mph and one at 5,000 feet blows at 25 mph. This creates an invisible column of horizontal air that is rotating. The rotating air will be drawn into the thunderstorm cloud by the updraft which tilts the air. If the column gets caught in the supercell updraft, the spin
On Sunday, May 26th, a very special sunset will take place. Three planets – Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will form a triangle in the night sky. They will all be visible to the naked eye or seen together in a binocular field.
Courtesy Science.NASA.gov
This is a fairly rare celestial event. The last time it happened was in May 2011 and the next time the planets will form a geometric shape will be in October 2015.
The three planets are the brightest in the sky. Venus is #1, followed by Jupiter #2 and Mercury #3. Their triangle will be visible even in urban areas with lots of lights.
Courtesy Science.NASA.gov
To find the trio, look about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset at the western horizon. Venus will be the brightest and lowest with Mercury to the right
You teach because you love it, and we love that you teach.
To teach is to envision the future. To inspire. To encourage. To challenge. To impart wonder. To build a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Sometimes, it may feel like the passion is gone. Until you remember that you teach because you love it. And you begin again.
In recognition of the contribution that you make every single day in the lives of our children, we are giving our invaluable educators 20% off their entire order. Teachers only. We know you you are. Offer good through at least May 23, 2013.
Use the discount code: TEACH20 at checkout.
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WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM STEVE SPANGLER SCIENCE
Don’t miss out on your chance to win $100 gift certificate from Steve Spangler Science. There is one more week to enter ourContinue Reading…
A video of Duncanville High School student Jeff Bliss has gone viral after a classmate recorded his rant in the classroom last week. Bliss is an 18-year-old sophomore who returned to 10th grade after dropping out. He says he realized the importance of an education for his future. He now takes his education and the learning of others very seriously.
Bliss had questioned why the teacher didn’t give the students more time to prepare for a test. She asked him to leave the classroom and he began sharing his opinions of why students were not reaching their true potential. He claimed the teacher only passed out worksheets and packets instead of creating lively and engaging discussions.
In Bliss’ opinion, the classroom time was a waste and challenged the teacher to get the students excited about learning. He also felt teachers must reach out and touch the hearts of their students to truly engage them.
“Just as much as the students need to give an effort, the teachers need to give an effort too.” said Jeff Bliss.
