SciShow YouTube Channel

SciShow is a YouTube "channel" that features short explanations of science topics. Hank Green of Missoula, Montana created the channel. CLICK HERE to see the list of videos. Some of them are related to Earth Science topics (Yellowstone Super-Volcano, Alfred Wegener, Mars Mission, etc). Hank is dynamic speaker and he explains concepts in a way that is entertaining to teenagers. According to Hank's web site, "I love science, but I only get so many Vlogbrothers videos per week and I know some people can get science'd out. So in late 2011, I started working on a new channel that would bring the coolest concepts and science news to our viewership nearly every day of the week. It's called SciShow and, of course, it was only possible thanks to a grant from YouTube."

He continues, "In the first month of existence, SciShow pulled in 2 million views and over 100,000 subscribers. The channel continues to grow with a strong demographic interest among high school and college students as well as a much stronger female demographic than science programming usually draws. This is really exciting for me, because it's exactly the sort of people that our world needs taking an interest in science."

To learn more about Hank, CLICK HERE (Wikipedia) or go to www.hankgreen.com.

Relative Humidity Pencast

Relative humidity seems to be a tough concept for my freshman to wrap their brains around, so I produced a "pencast" that they can use to reinforce my classroom explanation. CLICK HERE to watch and listen to the 10-minute presentation titled "Relative Humidity I". Make sure your volume is on, select full screen, and then "Hide Preview" (lower right). When finished, you can print a copy of the notes. Select "Download as PDF". In the sequel, titled Relative Humidity II I explain dry indoor air (winter), psychrometers, and the heat index. I made the pencasts with a Livescribe "Echo" (smart pen). They are great for students who missed class or need a concept explained a second time. Cartoon courtesy of Phillip Martin.

Make an Accurate Scale Model of the Earth-Moon System

Welcome back! This week's resource is instructions for how to make an accurate model of the Earth-Moon system to display in your classroom. Unlike textbook diagrams and images, an accurate model should use the same scale for both size and distance. I tape the model to the wall in front of my room so students can see as I explain Apollo missions, Moon phases, tides, and eclipses. CLICK HERE to access the instructions.

Venus Transit on June 5

I know I said that last week's post would be it for the summer, but I couldn't pass up the chance to share a couple resources related to the upcoming "Venus transit". Above is short Science Cast video and then CLICK HERE to see an animation that shows the timing of both the transit and a partial lunar eclipse that will happen in the early morning hours of June 4.

GONE HIKING FOR THE SUMMER: This will be the last post for the school year. The next resource will be posted on September 7th, however I do not plan to post every week. Go to RODNEY'S HOMEPAGE for Earth Science Teachers to access resources related to Earth Science education. Have a great summer vacation!

NASA ScienceCasts - Good Stuff!

There are so many videos posted on YouTube and other sites that it can become overwhelming trying to sort through the junk and find the good ones. This week's resource is a collection of short, high-quality YouTube videos related to space science and astronomy produced by NASA. Called NASA ScienceCasts, many of them are related to current events - they are great for keeping you and your students up to date with what's going on. CLICK HERE to see what's available. Bookmark the site, and check it often. CLICK HERE to view the ScienceCast of the Venus Transit, which will take place on June 5. This definitely qualifies as "good stuff"!

Scale of the Universe 2

CLICK HERE to access one of the most interesting things that I've seen on the internet EVER. It's an interactive graphic that let's you (or students) compare the sizes of things ranging from sub-atomic particles to the known universe. The graphics are great and it is incredibly interesting . . . and educational!. Use the scroll bar to zoom in or out, or click on the object to learn about it. I guarantee you will want to share it with your students. It was created by ninth-grader, Cary Huang, with technical support his twin brother, Michael(www.htwins.net). CLICK HERE to read a short news story (ABC).

Also (unrelated to the "Scale of the Universe 2") there will be an annular eclipse on Sunday. CLICK HERE to see a good short video produced by NASA. The best viewing will be in the southwest, but much of the west will see a "partial". Spaceweather.com is another good source. Select "animated eclipse map" to find out what the eclipse will look like from your state.

To view a convenient list of all the resources that have been posted on this "Earth Science Guy" blog site, CLICK HERE.

World of Change

NASA's Earth Observatory provides a unique way to view changes in Earth systems. CLICK HERE to watch a satellite view of changes in the level of Lake Powell from 1999-2011. Once the page opens, click on the "play arrow" below the image to make the years go by. The menu on the right side of the page lists several other changes that can be viewed, including one that compares El Nino/La Nina to rainfall (1985-2008), another that shows a mountain-top mine in West Virginia from 1984-2010, and several others.