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Even M&Ms Make Typos
at right). Of course, everyone knew that it WAS an M&M, and that a mistake was made when the candy was made. Nonetheless, I started thinking about when typos matter and when they don’t. Our district has been implementing a writing initiative, realizing the importance of writing and communication in our students’ futures. Personally, I would have advocated for a…
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How to Make a Fire-Breathing Pumpkin
For more than a decade, I have made a fire-breathing pumpkin for my chemistry students around Halloween (see footage from 2008). After seeing recent posts about making a Flamethrowing Jack-O’-Lantern, I have decided to share how it’s done. It’s really quite simple, once you have all of the equipment. Watch the Video: 1. Obtain the…
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I Think My Students Feel More Respected
My local newspaper recently interviewed me about cheating and cell phone use in the classroom (read the article). While cheating and scientific integrity are important topics to talk about later, I have been thinking a lot about my new cell phone policy this year. Overall, I am confident that allowing cell phones in the classroom…
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ACT Science Prep
ACT Science. Scary stuff, right? You can’t even use a calculator! (because you really don’t need one). You can be tested on biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, ecology, genetics, evolution, atomic theory, inorganic chemical reactions, chemical bonding, reaction rates, solutions, equilibrium, gas laws, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and properties, states of mattermechanics, energy, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, fluids, solids,…
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If We Expect Students to Compromise, Why Not Coffee Makers?
Recently, a local school district decided to start charging teachers for personal use of “refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, pizza ovens, toaster ovens and toasters” in an effort to save over $12,500 per year in energy savings (read full story). The cost for using a coffee maker? $10. While this is a seemingly small fee for a…
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Amazon Remembers Science Books
While attending the WSST Annual Spring Conference this last weekend, I made sure to check out the Outstanding Science Trade Books for 2010 session. Highlighting fantastic science books from Science Books & Films (SB&F) and NSTA’s Outstanding Science Trade Books, the organizers of the session also brought in hundreds of books from the collection housed…