Cruising the Chernobyl "Dead Zone"

Our children are too young to remember Chernobyl, the town destroyed by the worst nuclear accident to ever take place.  It is worth remembering; poor technology, dangerous tests of equipment, and human error created a situation that killed many and left a large area uninhabitable.  A government's attempts to disguise what had happened caused many more deaths. 

This young lady takes us on a sobering tour of the dead zone, with some history and lots of pictures.  A very interesting site, and it can serve as an opener to a longer discussion with your kids about energy, risk, and human nature.

Correlation vs. Causation

One of the arguments students will encounter repeatedly is that of causation and correlation.  Whether the argument is about Anthropogenic Global Warming, or minority incarceration rates, or gun control, or smoking, or whatever subject, all too often students (and voters, and taxpayers) fall prey to this logical fallacy.

The blog that this graph links to concerns drug discovery and the pharmacology industry.  The problem of understanding correlation and causation is universal.  Clearly, one would have a hard time finding a logical connection between the importation of fruit and automotive fatalities (unless the fruit in question was the banana, and the old "slipped on a banana peel" joke could be put into play).  But, according to these statistics carefully graphed, there is a direct correlation between the two.

Students must constantly be on guard when presented with such compelling evidence.  Correlation does not imply causation - a mantra for the coming decade.

Astronomy Links

Our science this year will include astronomy.  Nice, because it was a particular interest of mine (although my mathematical skills fell short when it came to advanced work).  The girls have an interest as well, in part because we have a telescope (similar to this, but without the computer assist):



Unfortunately we lack the space to be able to keep it up and available, but we do set it up and drag it outside from time to time.

While inside, where it is warm, we can look at a couple of interesting web sites. First, a site for tracking satellites. My brother sent me this link when he knew SkyLab was going overhead. We could not see it because of our location, but I find the link fascinating. I usually click the "Satellite" setting on the Google map, and tracking the orbit also becomes a geography and geology lesson.

 Next is NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day.  They are not all masterpieces, but they are informative, and link to tons of information about the subject in question - for instance, the International Space Station.

One More on Climate Change

Still not meaning to get political, I intend this next example to be a warning about looking at data.  The fact is, anyone with an agenda can manipulate the presentation of data in this way.  Students need to know not only how graphs work, but how the data set can be presented to appear to be something other than it actually is.  This video examines a graph commonly used in AGW (Anthropogenic Global Warming) presentations.



Whether dealing with junk science, or with claimed rates of return for a mutual fund, or any number of situations, people need to know to ask questions.  They also need to know which questions to ask. Skepticism is always healthy, and especially when someone is reaching for your wallet.  More especially when they claim to be doing you good while reaching for your wallet!

Faith versus Science

Devoutly religious types are often accused of accepting faith over science.  I think it an unfair characterization; I find that most of the devout people I know are highly educated, and understand science as well or better than the average fellow.  Some may disagree with some current scientific theories, but have the historical perspective to understand that today's accepted science can become tomorrow's example of faulty or incomplete understanding.

Those who declare themselves to be intellectually above superstition and religion often lack a certain perspective.  G. K. Chesterton described it thus: "When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing, they then become capable of believing in anything." 

I find this to be proven in today's culture, and specifically in the on-going debate about Anthropomorphically-caused Global Warming.  When warming does not take place as expected, we change the term to Anthropogenic Climate Change (as though the climate of the Earth has never before changed).  When questions are raised about observed effects, methodologies used, or possible alternative hypotheses are proposed, the "true believers" respond with fierceness, even calling in some extreme cases for imprisonment or death as a punishment for the heresies.  These are the people who accept AGW on faith while assuming a cloak of scientism.

Following is an example of faith in the guise of science trumping true science.  Lord Monckton (Christopher Walter Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley) interviews a young lady who is in attendance at the Copenhagen climate summit.  Her responses to Monckton's questions are interesting; her obstinate refusal to question her beliefs in the face of contradictory scientific evidence is enlightening.



Considering that our kids are being force fed junk science in public schools, it is particularly important that some students (home schoolers and others) learn that the science is not settled.  They need to learn skepticism.  They need to understand that a new religion is being accepted in our culture, and they need to find ways to argue facts without attacking deeply held belief (evangelism in its essence).  They need to understand how wicked men use this new religion (as they have, at times, used Christianity and other religions) to manipulate and control others, while they profit nicely.  This whole episode can be instructive, and will prepare our children for future leadership.

Water Droplets in Super Slow Motion

Slow motion photography and videography can reveal some very interesting phenomena.  Here we see a drop of water bouncing on a larger volume of water - an unexpected sight.



This reaction reminds me of the Leidenfrost Effect; of course, the physics behind each is quite different.

When one first sees such an unusual effect, being contrary to what one might believe would happen under such a circumstance, a strong spark of interest is ignited.  What fun.

Unusual Cloud Formations

I like clouds. I find their shapes and formation beautiful and fascinating. I am not one who sees images in clouds - maybe I am not imaginative enough - but I do like spectacular clouds. In the days when I was a more serious photographer I usually incorporated clouds in my images. Tricky business, that. Sometimes clouds can add to the mood, sometimes distract from the subject.

Here is an interesting discussion of different cloud types, the mechanism of their formation (when known), and some striking images as well.

The Moon has Craters - what about Earth?

Yeah, the Earth has craters. Big craters. Huge honking craters. So, this question can evolve into a lesson in astronomy, geology, and erosion, with some uber-cool pictures, and a book recommendation thrown in for good measure.

How an Automotive Differential Works

OK, so I am not a car aficionado - if it runs, I drive it. If it breaks, with a few relatively easy exceptions, I take it to the mechanic. When I do work on cars, it is usually with the assistance of a series of expletives I would rather my children not hear.

And knowing the terminology? Well, I think the doomaflogit is connected to the thingamabobber.

But I do have a strong interest in things mechanical (coupled with poor mechanical ability, a dangerous combination!), and my youngest daughter, even at age seven, is very much interested in how things work.

So I found this video very interesting and easy to understand.

Aerial Photographs

In searching for an image of a volcano (you know how these questions arise during the school day), I came across this powerful image of a newly formed mountain:



















Contrast that with a classic figure of a volcano, Mt. Fuji:


















This was a great beginning to a discussion on geology, but the greater find was the website of Yann Athus-Bertrand. Primarily aerial images, he has some stunning photographs on-line. My girls can spend a lot of time looking at the different patterns, learning a bit about different countries as they go.

Well worth the visit. And even better, these images are available for download (no charge) as wallpaper for your computer desktop. If you are interested in fine art photographic prints, they can be ordered through this same web site.

And no, it is not all volcano based. In fact, there are a wide variety of images, some quite serene:

What's the weather like... in Space?

A neat little page crammed with a ton of information, SpaceWeather.com is well worth the trip. I first came across this site when looking for a report on sunspot activity (yes, I am one of those who believe the sun has more of an effect on Earth's climate than does my car). Well, there on the front page is an image of the Sun with the latest sunspot activity (none, as of this writing).

Poke around a little, and you will find all kinds of interesting information and links. For instance, how about a link to the NASA web site, and a ground level view of the lunar lander Challenger lifting off. Or, how about a wake-up call the next time the Northern Lights are visible (there is a charge for this service)?

This is a great site for daily information for serious amateur astronomers, and a fun site to explore for anyone interested in astronomy.

Physics and Astronomy Symbols

A very cool link to a project of the University of Nottingham called Sixty Symbols. Clicking on a symbol will give you an explanation of the symbol, and a professorial explanation of why the symbol and what it represents is important.

First picture of the Earth from the Moon

For space fans (and most kids are fascinated by space) this is a cool look back in time - well, a relatively short time for some of us. This is the first image of the Earth taken from a lunar orbit. If I recall, the image was sent using technology similar to that used by fax machines - you can see the lines left from the printer.

This is from Nasa's web site, which provides details about the image and links to much larger images.

Daddy, How Do You Make a Car?

My youngest always has another easy-to-answer question! With her talent for math, and her interest in how things work, I suspect we may have a budding engineer.

Anyway, I've shown her a variety of YouTube videos on modern manufacture, some older newsreels (they tend heavily toward a pro-labor movement emphasis, not so much the actual assembly), and the like.



Here is an interesting video about manufacture for the 1939 World's Fair - animation, color, and 3-D effects. Must have wowed them in '39!

Very Neat Visual Illusions - the Breaking Curveball

The top winners of a contest sponsored by the Neural Correlate Society are presented on the American Institute of Physics web site - including a stunning visual demonstrating baseball's "Breaking Curve"!

When I would hear announcers talk about the breaking curve ball, I knew that the ball could not suddenly change direction in mid course. Not being a player, I didn't understand what the pitcher was throwing, or what the batter was seeing. This illusion explains both quite nicely.

Another illusion I found interesting was one of a face made to look more feminine or more masculine by controlling contrast. As a sometime photographer, the idea intrigues me - it may explain a lot of the images we see in advertising, and the blurring of genders through Photoshopped images.

The Antikythera Mechanism

OK, another treat for those interested in mechanical devices - with an archaeological twist, as this mechanism is 2100 years old. It was designed to track cycles of the solar system, including eclipses, and as a bonus kept track of the four year Olympiad cycles. Read about its discovery and the amazing tools used to analyze the remaining fragments here.

1911 Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica

OK, this is a real treat. It is not as good as the print version, which of course has many fine images and maps, but this web site has the entire 1911 Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica on line, searchable by subject or alphabetically.

The 11th Edition is considered by many to be the finest encyclopedia (to use the American spelling) ever published. Having it available in this format is a boon to students of all ages.

Dihydrogen Monoxide - an environmental disaster

The study of Dihydrogen Monoxide is vital for a solid understanding of the environmental disaster that awaits planet Earth. All home schooled kids should take some time to study this chemical, its effects on the environment, and the political ramifications of its continued use.

I first heard of this problem when three University of California students outlined the danger of this pernicious chemical, and it gained a wide national audience 'in 1997 when Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?"'

Yes, the study of Dihydrogen Monoxide (H2O, or water in the vernacular) gives our students an excellent picture of how environmental sciences have been perverted for political gain, how the most benign substance can be portrayed as dangerous, in other words, how modern advocacy works.

The Sun - a great series of images

For astronomy buffs, this series of images are remarkable. It shows your students the sun using a variety of imaging technologies. Well worth a look.

The Periodic Table on Video

Very interesting set of videos on the different periodic elements. British professor, enthusiastic lab assistants, and some exciting experiments (sodium is a natural). Our 5th grader was somewhat interested; our 1st grader bored after the first glance ("Is that a wig?" was the remark on seeing the professor's wild mane). I think it is neat!