Coke Challenge

Don't let the title of this post fool you. This is not a taste test. Instead, we will test these objects' densities. Please follow the directions that are given below the slideshow.
Coke vs. Diet Coke Density

• Click on "comments". Like always, this will open up a new window where you may type your blog response.
• Advance to the next slide by clicking on the right portion of the slideshow. You can also click on the left portion if you want to go back to the previous slide.
• In your blog response, answer all questions that appear on the purple-ish slides.
• Do not advance to the next slide until you have completely answered the questions that appeared on the purple-ish slides.

The Power of Solar Activity

If you think that campfires are mesmerizing, watch this video and then wonder where four minutes went.

Other Cool Solar Activity Videos:
Coronal Mass Ejection in HD
Live Solar Flare
The Auroras video
Southern Lights from the ISS

This article and associated pictures show some of the effect of Solar Activity as we approach the next Solar Maximum. This Space Weather Dangers Article warns us of the damage that massive flares from the sun could cause. Read these. In a comment, share one effect that Solar Weather could cause and one thing you just found interesting.

Sun Sites

Do a quick search through the following websites for 8 minutes.

Characteristics of the Sun
3D Solar System Tour
Sun-Earth Viewer
Amazing Photos of the Sun

What is the most interesting fact that you found about the sun and its size? Leave it in a comment on this post.

Remember the Tides

Using these pictures and the following info, attempt to answer the numbered questions.

• Both pictures were taken from the same exact spot (The zoom for both snapshots was the same, too). The picture on the left was taken at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The picture on the right was taken 5 1/2 hours later, at 7:30 pm.
• The high temperature on this day in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was about 85 degrees F. I tell you this not because daytime temperature influences tides. I tell you this so that might be jealous, and that you might be reminded that this snowy, frigid winter will not last forever.
• The moon phase on this particular day was a "New Moon".

1. What causes high tides and low tides?
2. Approximately how many high tides would there be on this day? How many low tides would there be?
3. On the day when the picture was taken, was there a Spring or Neap tide? If so, which one? How do you know this? ****Alert: This question is impossible to answer correctly with the information given. 
• New Questions: What makes it impossible? What, from the information given, could you change to make it answerable?

Explaining Astronomy to Elsie

Suppose that you need to explain the concepts of a year, a month, and a day to a small child such as Elsie. Could you do this? First, you should know a couple of things about Elsie:

1. She is extremely smart for just turning four years old (I know that you're thinking, "Hmm..... she must get her intellect from her mother." Well, you're right.) Elsie will follow your line of thought quite well.
2. If you use the terms rotation, revolution, orbit, or any other term used specifically for astronomy, she might not know exactly what it means (Many adults wouldn't know what the terms mean either.) Be sure to explain these things as you go.
3. It would help if you related these concepts to things a 4-year-old would know about -- like Disney movies (especially Rapunzel from Tangled and, of course, Cinderella), Elmo from Sesame Street, Legos, Clifford the big red dog, Super Why, Angelina Ballerina, etc.
   

For each concept (year, month, and day) describe the motion of the Earth, the moon, and the sun. Good luck.

Planet Presentations 2013

Comment: I eagerly await the chance to become an expert on each of the planets of our solar system.
Question: Who is going to give me that opportunity?
Answer: The Mustang 8s
Another Question: How?
Another Answer: They will be researching a specific planet, collaborating in groups, and developing a presentation that will blow away (in a good way) anyone who is fortunate to be in attendance.

Below is a link for some useful planet research sites.

Planet Presentation Links and Instructions

The Growth Mindset

We've talked about character traits (like grit, optimism, self-control, etc.) that lead to success. It can be extremely difficult to improve those traits if you don't think they are modifiable. That's what this video is about. Simply having the mindset that you can improve and "get better" is vital to actual growth.
Growth Mindset TED Video
What is the thing you take away from this video?