Writings and videos about science activities with an emphasis on environmental science and energy measurement

Browsing Archive: July, 2013

Teacher Certification is a Racket

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Monday, July 29, 2013, In : education news 
This article on how poorly education departments prepare teachers confirms what I've already known for years. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many administrators also know this and will preferentially hire uncertified teachers (when regulations allow it) to avoid the baggage of teacher education school training! It's nice to know that some of the people in charge did not drink the Kool-Aide.

I've know this ever since my wife became a certified teacher. I would estimate that about 30% ...
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Formula Sun Grand Prix

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, In : environmental news 
Even though these cars are not practical, I am amazed at how fast they move.

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Electricity storage is a big dea

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Friday, July 19, 2013, In : miscellaneous science news 
I got this interesting chart from an article about how an energy storage company called Eos may revolutionize the way electricity is stored using zinc air batteries. I never knew that so much generating capacity was stored by simply pumping water! The advantage of these batteries is their low cost ($160 / kWh vs. $400 / kWh using lithium batteries). All of this is discussed in terms of making the grid more reliable. I wonder if these batteries are light enough to use in a vehicle? 

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Amazing Human-Powered Helicopter

Posted by Antonio Chaves on Sunday, July 14, 2013, In : miscellaneous science news 
The materials must be incredibly light because it is enormous. Its large size no doubt allows it to provide so much lift even though its propellers are moving so slowly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJq10EQkog





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About this blog

This blog was originally created in January 2013 to serve as a means for providing updates on science activities from the environmental science lab manual Ecology, Development, and Sustainability. I have now expanded its purpose to include other items of interest to science teachers. 

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