Mar. 24, 2009
Nano Days at Montana State University
NanoDays set March 31 with free family events
March 20, 2009
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| Nanoscience, the study of extremely small particles, will be celebrated with a variety of fun and free activities at MSU NanoDays, set Tuesday, March 31, at the Burns Technology Center in MSU's EPS Building. Photo courtesy of MSU's Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials. |
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Nanoscience, the study of extremely small particles, will be celebrated at the Burns Technology Center at Montana State University on Tuesday, March 31, as part of a nationwide week of public outreach.
All NanoDays events are free and will help kids and adults understand nanoscience in a fun and easy-to-understand format.
Nanoscience is an emerging field that blends chemistry, physics, engineering and other areas of science. Nanoscientists work with particles and devices between one and 100 nanometers in size (the head of a pin is 1,000,000 nanometers across). Through nanoscience, scientists have developed disease-fighting drugs, computer components, transparent sunscreen, ultra-strong sports equipment.
At MSU, researchers are using nanoscience to develop targeted vaccines, magnetic materials for electronics and catalysts for producing hydrogen.
The schedule for MSU NanoDays follows:
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Ongoing--Nano videos, demonstrations and interactive multimedia exhibits. Drop in anytime; teachers who wish to bring a class should schedule by calling 994-6550.
6 p.m.: "What's all this fuss about nanotechnology?" Presented by scientists from MSU's Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Family activities and hands-on demonstrations, including build your own virus model, manipulate magnetic liquid and play with a hydrogen fuel cell model car.
Souvenirs and refreshments will be provided. Activities are appropriate for children approximately age 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All events take place at the Burns Technology Center's Studio 1080 multimedia center in the atrium of the EPS (Engineering and Physical Sciences) Building, just east of the Strand Union at MSU.
NanoDays is sponsored by MSU CBIN and MSU Extended University. For more information, visit http://eu.montana.edu/nanodays
Martha Peters at CBIN, (406) 994-7658, mpeters@montana.edu
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Nanoscience, the study of extremely small particles, will be celebrated with a variety of fun and free activities at MSU NanoDays, set Tuesday, March 31, at the Burns Technology Center in MSU's EPS Building. Photo courtesy of MSU's Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials. |
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Jan. 29, 2009
More on World Math Day - excitement is building at our house!
World Math Day is March 4, 2009.
You can participate by visiting www.worldmathday.com and registering for free! Registration opens in February.
This is a truly unique event and a fantastic way to promote numeracy.
Students play against each other at mental arithmetic games. Students are captivated by the fact that they are playing in real-time with other children across the globe. The questions are appropriately leveled for different ages and abilities.
All students need is internet access.
Participation is open to students ages 5 – 18. Registration is fast and free! |
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Jan. 28, 2009
World Math Day
World Math Day is March 4, 2009
Registration and practice begins February 1st.
This is a great event. Let's see how many calculations can be made in one day!!!! I can tell you, I have two boys who can't wait until March 4th. Check out the site: http://www.worldmathday.com/ |
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Jan. 23, 2009
A great Math Newsletter
Here is a newsletter about math in the real world' - it is free to
subscribe.
Keep checking here for details on World Math Day. As soon as I get the details, I will share them. Kim
Subject: Latest news from Plus magazine! - http://plus.maths.org
In this newsletter:
* Support Plus
* Latest news
* Mathematical moments
* Browse with Plus
* Live maths
* The Plus new writers award 2009
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Support Plus - make a difference to mathematics
http://plus.maths.org/support.html?nl=1
We are continuing our campaign to raise the funds we need for the
continued
development and production of Plus beyond 2009. As you may know, Plus
receives no statutory funding and is entirely supported by grants and
donations from organisations and individuals committed to the public
understanding of mathematics. If you're interested in helping us, then
please visit http://plus.maths.org/support.html?nl=1 where you'll find
three easy ways to give to Plus.
Thank you for your support!
**********
Latest news
* The cost of failing our maths students
Innumeracy costs UK taxpayers up to £2.4 billion a year
http://plus.maths.org/latestnews/jan-apr09/innumeracy/index.html?nl=1
* Book review: Is god a mathematician?
A new book asking big questions
http://plus.maths.org/issue49/reviews/book5/index.html?nl=1
* Building trust in statistics
The UK Statistics Authority fulfills its duty to keep the government
honest
http://plus.maths.org/latestnews/sep-dec08/statistics/index.html?nl=1
* Automated mathematics
Human versus machine: who's better at proving theorems?
http://plus.maths.org/latestnews/sep-dec08/proof/index.html?nl=1
Plus... read more on the Plus blog and have a look at some maths
cartoons http://plus.maths.org/blog?nl=1
And for all the Plus podcasts, see: http://plus.maths.org/podcasts/
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Mathematical moments
Alfred Tarski
Born on the 14th of January 1902 in Warsaw, Poland
Died on the 26th October 1983 in Berkeley, California, USA
If you've ever heard Tarski's name before, it was probably in connection
with one of the most counter-intuitive results maths has to offer, known
as the Banach-Tarski paradox. Despite being called a paradox it's actually
an irreproachable mathematical theorem. It says that a sphere can be cut
into as few as five pieces which can then be reassembled to make a much
bigger sphere. This sounds as if mathematicians have mastered what humankind
has dreamt of since the beginning of time: to make something out of nothing.
But they haven't, not quite. The pieces the sphere needs to be cut into
could not possibly exist in physical reality. They're "unmeasurable
sets"; sets so complex that no sort of measure, like area or length, can be
meaningfully applied to them. It's possibly to construct these sets
abstractly, though a sequence of geometric steps, but no-one could ever
achieve them with a pair of scissors.
Given the strangeness of this result, it'll come as no surprise that the
vast majority of Tarski's work involved contortions of the mind. Having
set out to be become a biologist, his encounters at university with
mathematicians including Sierpinski (he of the fractal carpet and
triangle) soon interested him in logic. He wrote a number of celebrated works on
the very foundations of mathematics: the nature of truth, deductive
reasoning, and the limitation of mathematics as an axiomatic system. He came into
contact with some of the most prominent logicians of his day, including
Kurt Goedel. Today, Tarski's name is often mentioned in the same breath
as that of the father of logic, Aristotle.
Tarski's personal life was troubled by the two World Wars and the
turbulent political atmosphere in his native Poland. Born a Jew, Tarski's was
originally called Alfred Teitelbaum. He converted to catholicism in 1923
and changed his name to Tarski, probably to give expression to his
Polish nationalism, but also to escape the prevailing antisemitism. When Hitler
invaded Poland in 1939 Tarski was lucky to be on a visit to the US.
Although he was unable to arrange a passage to the US for his wife and
two children, they were lucky to survive the war and the family was
re-united in 1946.
To find out more about the kind of maths Tarski was involved with, read
the following Plus articles:
Measure for measure - on measurable sets and the Banach-Tarski paradox
http://plus.maths.org/issue17/features/measure/index.html?nl=1
Cantor and Cohen: Infinite investigators - Two articles on set theory
and the foundations of maths
http://plus.maths.org/issue47/features/elwes1/index.html?nl=1
http://plus.maths.org/issue47/features/elwes2/index.html?nl=1
We must know, we will know - on Hilbert and the foundations of
mathematics http://plus.maths.org/issue41/features/morris/index.html?nl=1
Goedel and the limits of logic - on the limitations of maths as an
axiomatic system http://plus.maths.org/issue39/features/dawson/index.html?nl=1
**********
Browse with Plus
When will I ever need this?
If you're in the business of persuading young (or not so young) people
that maths is useful in the real world, then have a look at the "Maths in
work" videos produced by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of
Mathematics. From sports engineering to period costume design, these
short clips show what maths is involved and go some way towards answering the
"when will I ever need this?" question so familiar to maths teachers all
over the world.
http://www.ncetm.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=13&module=res&mode=100&resid=1
1329
**********
Closing date: 31st of March 2009
More information: http://plus.maths.org/competition/index.html?nl=1
**********
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Jan. 21, 2009
More Space Weather - Just can't get enough!!!
Space Weather News for Jan. 23, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Monday, Jan. 26th, the Moon will pass in front of the sun producing an annular "ring of fire" eclipse. This is not a total eclipse; the Moon will cover only 93% of the sun's surface. Nevertheless, the Moon's dead-center transit across the solar disk will produce a sight of rare beauty for observers along the "path of annularity." Best views are to be had from islands in Indonesia where the ring of fire will appear to sink into the ocean at sunset. Meanwhile, in Australia, southeast Asia, southern parts of India and South Africa, observers will experience an off-center partial eclipse. Crescent-shaped sunbeams will dapple the ground while high overhead the Moon takes a curved bite out of the sun.
Please visit http://spaceweather.com for eclipse maps, timetables and photos.
BLUE-SKY FIREBALL: Last week a meteoroid of unknown size hit Earth's atmosphere over Denmark and exploded with a flash so bright it turned the nighttime sky daytime blue. A video of the remarkable fireball and eye-witness reports may be found at Spaceweather's fireball sighting page: http://spaceweather.com/glossary/fireballreports_17jan09.htm
You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com.
New subscribers: To sign up for free space weather alerts, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
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Jan. 14, 2009
Great Stuff!!! The Homeschool Minute from The Old Schoolhouse
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The Old Schoolhouse has MORE for you!
Check out these other fantastic resources:
New to homeschooling?
We can help!
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If you like The Homeschool Minute, you won't want to miss a single issue of
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"Thanks for the time you spend on this weekly message. It is always a blessing to our family."
- Barbi, THM Reader
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"What a wonderful story [Oranges for Christmas by Deborah Wuehler], our God is so great."
- Peggy, THM Reader and TOS Subscriber
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"Thank you so much for sharing that miraculous story [Oranges for Christmas]. It so touched my heart that I forwarded it to my email list. Such a beautiful reminder of what an awesome God we serve."
- Sue, THM Reader
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"[Are We Making Progress] really was what I needed to hear in many different forms. The top two things were progress and comparison. I find myself asking those
things of myself lately. Afterward, I'm left feeling discouraged. This was timely for me and I hope to bring it to mind each time I feel oppressed with the two things I mentioned."
- Name Witheld, THM Reader
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"Thank you for your advice on decluttering everything from home to soul."
- Tonya, THM Reader
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"I love the new Teacher's Toolbox. Thanks so much for all of the wonderful ideas and resources. We have started the weather study and all of my kids love it. "
-Carrie Ann,
TOS Subscriber
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| The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Intentional Parenting
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Jan. 14, 2009
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Dear Kim,
When it comes to parenting, do you just deal with things as they come your way or are you planning and creating opportunities to teach your child what's important to you?
I found a neat chart on the Intentional Parents website that demonstrates the difference. While sometimes it's easy to slip into survival mode or get caught up in what everyone else is doing, an intentional parent recognizes the importance of planning and creating teachable moments.
Want your child to learn about serving others? Don't wait for your support group or church to schedule an event. Find ways to serve others together.
Want them to exercise more and take better care of themselves? Don't wait for them to "feel like it." Talk about why it's important to take care of our bodies and find fun ways to exercise together.
Want them to be responsible with their money? Don't just hope they'll figure it out when they're older. Start teaching them biblical financial principles at a young age and encourage them as they begin to have some of their own money.
Whatever God is laying on your heart that you need to work on with your kids, be intentional about it.
Enjoy every minute!
THM Editor
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 Mercy Every Minute
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor
Here's what Intentional Parenting from Daniel Webster's 1828 Dictionary looks like:
Intentional: Intended; designed; done with design or purpose. The act was intentional, not accidental. Inten'tionally, adv. By design; of purpose; not casually.
Pa'rent, n. [L. parens, from pario, to produce or bring forth... ] 1. A father or mother; he or she that produces young. The duties of parents to their children are to maintain, protect and educate them.
Our duty is to educate our children with design and purpose. What is our greatest design but to train them up in and for the Lord? We must intentionally design an education for them with such a purpose. We must make it our intention to train them to follow God's ways; to teach them to follow His commands; to instruct them in righteousness and holiness. If we take a casual, unplanned approach, our children just may wander off on their own path as adults, whether or not they walked on your path as children. We must continue to not only walk the walk, but talk the talk, on purpose and with intention. We find several antonyms to the word "intentiona,l" they are: accidental, unplanned, casual, without purpose or design. It doesn't sound like anything fruitful would come out of this approach. It's not just the idea that I should stop and take that teachable moment, but that I should stop and make that teachable moment. I am learning to become more intentional.
Just today, I wanted to share something with one of my sons. I held his hands and looked straight in his eyes and said, "God has excused us our sin just like you are excused from the table. All we have to do is ask Him and then He pardons us and frees us! Just say to the Lord, 'May I please be excused?' and He will excuse you if you just ask;and then you will be free!" With purpose in my voice and tears in my eyes, I made my point to my son. I was intentional in what I wanted to convey to Him. I didn't wait for a good time. I didn't wait for him to ask the question. I said it on purpose, today. There may not be a tomorrow for any one of our children. We need to take today by the horns and be in God's eyes like Abraham was. God KNEW that Abraham would teach his children: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD." (Genesis 18:19) I want God to know that of me, too, don't you?
Don't let today get away without doing something you've intended to do, and everything that God intends you to do.
~Deborah
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Contest Central
For the month of January
The Light Across the River
The Light Across the River is a historical fiction sequel to Across the Wide River, but also a stand-alone book, about real places, events, and characters in the mid 1800's. The book uses the Underground Railroad as a backdrop for the story of 11-year-old Johnny Rankin, one of 13 children, and his drive to overcome personal shortcomings and prove his maturity to his father. He dreams of earning his father's trust enough to become a conductor on the Underground Railroad and help in his family's important work of leading slaves to freedom. But have his inadequacies endangered those he loves most?
As the story unfolds, the chapters alternate between the perspectives of Johnny from ages 11 to 15, and Eliza, the slave matriarch whose family he helps to free.
This book rises far above others in its genre. In the historical note, author Stephanie Reed shares her knowledge of the Rankin family gained through the study of journals and other first-hand accounts. (. . .)
Faith in Jesus is a common element among the main characters, both slave and free. "Coincidences" and grace that could only be orchestrated by God fill the pages of The Light Across the River. Johnny's father is not only an active abolitionist but also the town preacher.
TO ENTER:
Email SeniorEditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com with your name and mailing address and the subject, "The Light Across the River" for a chance to win*.
Congratulations to our December winner, Stephanie Bryant from Winnsboro, TX!
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Jan. 12, 2009
Check out the Smithsonian Institution
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Teaching Resource:
Lincoln Lesson Plans
Try a new approach to teaching about the Civil War with lessons focusing on Abraham Lincoln (grades 4–8). Students examine portraits of Lincoln as they consider the ways he changed America—and the ways the war changed him.
Download the lessons |
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Event Registration:
Free Online Education Conference
On February 4–5, join Smithsonian curators and educators—and your colleagues across the country—in nine different presentations on Abraham Lincoln's life and death. Lectures, classroom applications, and virtual exhibits are live online and archived for replays.
Register now for Lincoln conference |
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Teaching Resource:
History and Art Posters
Explore Westward Expansion, the Civil War, the Harlem Renaissance, WWII, and The Sixties with beautiful laminated posters/lesson plans. From the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Archives of American Art.
Request a free poster set |
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Teaching Resource:
Photography Lesson Plans
New visual literacy lessons: "Photography Changes Who We Are" (grades 6–8) examines the role of photography in representing ourselves and our communities. "Photography Changes What We Want" (grades 9–12) explores how photography creates celebrity status. From Smithsonian Photography Initiative.
Download the lesson plans
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If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters please .
Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
© 2009 Smithsonian Institution |
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Dec. 17, 2008
Aurora Watch
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Hi all,
So the University has a call list early and late for aurora watch. It is through the electrical engineering / physics department (they usually know when we have had any significant solar flares). I am unsure if it is running. Several students presented a new system to alert those interested at the recent engineering fair. I will post more as the system develops.
Here's something from the electrical engineeering department at MSU:
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Montana State University professor Joseph Shaw and two of his students built an aurora borealis detector, then traveled to Alaska to test it during the spring break of 2007.
To view a multimedia feature about auroras, the detector and the group's trip to Alaska, visit http://www.montana. edu/cpa/gallery/ 080711au/. Above, Joseph Shaw. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham.
Here is what the calling tree looks like - you could set one up to with homeschoolers - just a thought. http://www.coe.montana.edu/ee/jshaw/ auroratree_ ece.pdf email me at kim@snider.ws if you are interested in being on a homeschool calling tree. |
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Dec. 14, 2008
Some Great Video's
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FAMILY FILM STOCKING STUFFERS...
Plus our 10 DVD pack is still available for just $99!...
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Films for everyone...
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Join the West ladies - Jasmine, CeCe, Vicki, and Hannah - in this exciting new instructional DVD series. Homestead Blessings is a fun-filled collection of homemaking skills presented in an educational and entertaining three DVD set. The southern charm and hospitality of the West ladies will welcome you into this beautifully-photographed High Definition broadcast-quality series. Homestead Blessings is encouraging to ladies of all ages and teaches valuable skills that can be applied to many homemaking endeavors.
For a limited time we are making available the set at a special discounted price of just $49.95. Order now!
Watch the trailer and order now!
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A Great Selection of Gifts
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The Stories - Nathan and his wife Patsy lead a life that is anything but typical. Along with their five young children, their family travels the country together in their home -- an RV -- during this exciting season of their lives. Pull Up a Chair features an engaging half-hour documentary about the fun-filled aspects of life on the road with a traveling musician's family, while providing honest insight into the challenges that are faced along the way. Ultimately, a joyful picture of biblical family unity emerges, as the George family embraces the adventure-filled uniqueness of their journey.
The Songs - Pull Up a Chair is full-length High Definition concert of original music written and performed by Nathan and his talented band. Renowned for his musical excellence and heart-felt vocals, Nathan Clark George combines his musical talent with a commitment to scriptural lyrics. The result is a musical experience that is enjoyable and enriching for the entire family. Pull Up A Chair features 17 songs, including "I Will Rejoice" and "Psalm 24". This beautifully filmed concert event is a God-honoring celebration of music and family.
Watch the Trailer and Pre-Order Pull Up a Chair Today
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The Ten Pack Gift Set
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For a limited time we are making available our 10 DVD library pack for just $99.00. That's ten of our award-winning DVD titles for just $10.00 per-title! This 10 pack collection offers a wide range of films that make great gifts for friends and family and will warm your holiday season with encouraging family entertainment. Learn more about the 10 pack and order now!
“I love these films. I feel these DVDs were burned of my deepest desires for my own family.”
Watch the 10 pack trailers and order the 10 pack now!
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Dec. 13, 2008
Space Weather News for the weekend
Space Weather News for Dec. 12, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
WEEKEND METEORS: Earth is entering a stream of debris from extinct comet 3200 Phaethon, and this is causing the annual Geminid meteor shower. The shower is expected to peak on Dec. 13th and 14th. Normally, as many as 100 meteors per hour shoot out of the constellation Gemini, but this year a bright Moon will interfere with the display, reducing hourly counts to only 20 or so. That's could still be a nice show. For best results, watch the sky from 10 pm local time on Saturday night (Dec 13th) until dawn on Sunday morning (Dec. 14th).
BIGGEST FULL MOON OF THE YEAR: The Moon that's causing trouble for the Geminid display happens to be biggest full Moon of 2008, as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons we've seen earlier this year. An astronomer would say this is a "perigee Moon" because it occurs at perigee, the side of the Moon's elliptical orbit closest to Earth. Go outside tonight and take a look. The meteor rate may be low, but the lunar beauty index is off the charts.
Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and more information.
BONUS: The Dec. 1st Great Conjunction Photo Gallery continues to grow with daily additions from around the world. Start browsing here: http://spaceweather.com/conjunctions/gallery_01dec08_page6.htm |
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Dec. 12, 2008
2009 Montana Homeschool Convention
Montana Home Educators Convention and Curriculum Fair
May 15-16, 2009
Lorrie Flem
Stay At Home Mom of Eight, Wife of 24 Years
Randy and Lorrie Flem make their temporary home in Maple Valley, Washington and eagerly await their heavenly mansion. Lorrie has been the happy stay-at-home rib of Randy for 24 years and has been homeschooling 18 years. They are the parents of eight precious and often precocious children, ages 22 to 6. Lorrie is the best-selling author of many books, the publisher of TEACH Magazine, and a popular speaker known for her gentle exhortation, humor, and down-to-earth tips. Meet her at www.TEACHmagazine.com and see the beautiful magazine of encouragement for homemakers and homeschoolers. GET A FREE COPY of “7 Time and Money Saving Kitchen Tips” there too!
Flem Family. Click for larger image.
Mark Hamby
Founder and President of Cornerstone Family Ministries and Lamplighter Publishing
Mark Hamby (M.S., M.Div., Th.M) is founder and President of Cornerstone Family Ministries and Lamplighter Publishing.
He lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his wife, Debbie. They raised three children who were homeschooled and
though they live in various parts of the US, Mark finds that he is more involved in his children’s lives than ever before.
As an author, speaker, and Bible teacher, what Mark Hamby enjoys most is helping his audience to remove the mask
in order to expose the heart. Unless the heart is reached, there can be no lasting change. Through the genre of
storytelling and the life-changing power of God’s Word, Mark’s audiences have learned that the God of all grace is
willing and able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Visit us at www.lamplighterpublishing.com for more information.
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Dec. 12, 2008
Science@NASA
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The Incredible Journey of the James Webb Space Telescope
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12.10.2008
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+ Play Audio | + Download Audio | + Email to a friend | + Join mailing list
December 10, 2008: The James Webb Space Telescope, targeted for launch in 2013, is already taking an incredible journey right here on Earth. It's zigzagging up, down, and across the US to be "spit and polished" to perfection for its lofty space mission.
 "To find the first stars and galaxies that formed in the early universe, which are millions and even billions of light years away, the Webb telescope mirror has to be wickedly smooth," says Jeff Kegley of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Right: The James Webb Space Telescope, an artist's concept. Credit: ESA. [Larger image]
To get ready for space, the 18 mirror segments that will ultimately form the Webb telescope’s huge primary mirror are trucked from pit stop to pit stop in tandem cross-country for careful processing and polishing. They visit seven different states, some several times.
During the long odyssey, every precaution is taken for their protection. How many years of bad luck would you have if you broke one of these mirrors?
"That's something we don't talk about," laughs Helen Cole, also of Marshall. "But seriously, we do have three spare segments, so no problem there."
Let's trace a mirror segment's Earthly journey from rough start to "wickedly smooth," and finally to union with its 17 siblings to form a 6.5 meter (21 ½ foot) wide whole with a total area of 25 square-meters (almost 30 square yards).
The story begins in a Utah beryllium mine. Beryllium is one of the lightest of all metals, and the "stuff" of the telescope's mirrors.
Above: The making of the JWST mirrors begins here in a Utah Beryllium mine. Photo credit: Brush Wellman, Inc., Beryllium Products division. [Larger image]
Technicians in Ohio sift and purify the gritty beryllium powder from Utah into an extremely uniform optical grade especially for the Webb mirror. Then they pour the powder in a big, flat can, apply heat and pressure, and pump out the residual gas to create a large slab called a mirror billet. They bathe the billet in acid to burn off any stainless steel stuck to the billet when the can is removed. Next they split the billet in half Oreo-cookie-style to form two mirror blanks (no cream!). These mirror blanks are the largest ever produced in beryllium.
Workers in Alabama machine the back of each blank into a honeycomb structure to make the blanks lighter without reducing stiffness. The machined ribs are less than 1 millimeter thick -- almost paper cut thin!
"This precision machining/etching removes 92 percent of a blank's mass," says Lee Feinberg of the Goddard Space Flight Center. "Mass is critical in launching space missions."
Next, a California company grinds and polishes the segments to a very smooth and exact shape and optically tests them at room temperature.
Above: Key stops in the long journey of the JWST. Not shown: space. [Larger image]
But the Webb telescope will not operate in room temperature. Not only will this telescope mirror be "wickedly smooth," it will also be wickedly cold in space. Because it is an infrared telescope, the JWST is designed to pick up the heat of faint, awesomely distant stars and galaxies. To do that it has to be kept extremely cold. It will operate in space at about -238 deg Celsius (-396 deg Fahrenheit, 35K).
"The extreme cold may cause the telescope's structures and mirrors to change shape, so testing has to be done here on Earth under similar, hyper-cold conditions," says Cole.
This super-cold testing is done in Alabama. The Marshall Space Flight Center's X-ray & Cryogenic Facility has a vacuum chamber that can simulate the incredibly cold conditions of space. Testing in this chamber reveals even the tiniest distortions that happen to the mirror segments in the cold. The tests provide precise data that specifies the exact repolishing to be done to compensate ahead of time for distortions likely to occur in space.
Above: (Left) A prototype JWST beryllium mirror segment at Tinsley Labs in Richmond, California; (Right) Mirror testing under space-cold conditions at the Marshall Space Flight Center's X-ray & Cryogenic Facility. [Larger images: #1, #2]
Once the mirror segments are polished to precision, gold is evaporated over them, forming a very thin coating on the smooth mirror surface.
"This gold coating is highly reflective over all the wavelengths of the Webb telescope, from visible to mid-infrared," says Feinberg.
All 18 segments finally meet at Goddard Space Flight Center. Here, they're mounted on structures that will ultimately hold them in place and let them perform as if they were part of a single giant hexagonal mirror. (The mirror structure will be folded with its shield origami style when it's time to fit in a rocket.) Next the telescope is fully assembled and attached to the instrument module, and the whole kit and caboodle is acoustic and vibration tested.
Final cryogenic testing takes place at Johnson Space Center, in the same vacuum chamber that tested the Apollo lunar lander.
The telescope is integrated with the spacecraft and sunshield at Northrop Grumman in California. It will lift-off from Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket.
Are we there yet? Almost. Only 930,000 more miles to go....
SEND THIS STORY TO A FRIEND
Author: Dauna Coulter | Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
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Credits: The Webb telescope is a joint project of NASA and many U.S. partners, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is the principal optical subcontractor for the Webb telescope program, led by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Space Technology, under a contract from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland. Ball Aerospace is in charge of the optical testing at the Marshall Center, which is providing a facility for the testing and supporting Ball, helping to ensure an appropriate and safe environment for testing that meets the needs of the project.
For more information about the James Webb Space Telescope, please visit: http://jwst.gsfc.nasa.gov
In Detail: Webb Telescope Mirror Fabrication and Processing Stops
Elmore, Ohio
Brush Wellman, Inc.
Sifts and purifies the gritty Beryllium powder into an extremely uniform optical grade especially for the Webb mirror. Creates mirror blanks -- the largest ever produced in Beryllium.
Cullman, Alabama
Axsys Technologies, Inc.
Machines the back of each blank into a honeycomb structure to make the blank lighter without reducing its stiffness. Also machines the mirror fronts for general shaping.
Richmond, California
L3 Communications, Tinsley Laboratories
Grinds and polishes the segments to a very smooth and exact shape, then optically tests them at room temperature.
Boulder, Colorado
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Attaches mount and actuators to the mirror segments, performing vibration and optical testing before and after assembly.
Huntsville, Alabama
The X-ray Cryogenic Facility, or XRCF
Tests the segments in the XRCF vacuum chamber. Relays findings back to Tinsley Labs, arming them with precise numbers indicating the exact extra polishing needed to compensate ahead of time for distortions likely to occur in space.
Boulder, Colorado
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Removes mount and actuators.
Richmond, California
L3 Communications, Tinsley Laboratories
Fine-tunes each mirror piece by polishing in the opposite of the surface error values derived from the XRCF's super-cold testing. Now, distortion that occurs in space-cold should actually perfect the mirror.
Boulder, Colorado
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Cleans mirror segments to prepare for coating.
Moorestown, New Jersey
Quantum Coating, Inc. -- Denton
Evaporates gold over the segments in a huge vacuum chamber, forming a very thin coating on the smooth mirror surface.
Boulder, Colorado
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Reassembles the mirror segments with mount and actuators and performs final acceptance vibration testing.
Huntsville, Alabama
The X-ray & Cryogenic Facility
Performs final cryogenic acceptance testing on the segments.
Greenbelt, Maryland
Goddard Space Flight Center
Assembles the telescope and attaches it to the instrument module. Performs acoustic and vibration tests.
Houston, Texas
Johnson Space Center
Final cryogenic testing.
Redondo Beach, California
Northrop Grumman
Integrates the assembly with the spacecraft and sunshield.
Kourou, French Guiana
Guiana Space Centre
Lift-off!
NASA's Future: US Space Exploration Policy
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Dec. 10, 2008
MSU Engineering Design Fair
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering
and the Departments of
Electrical & Computer Engineering
and
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
present the Fall 2008
Engineering Design Fair
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Noon to 5:30 p.m. SUB Ballroom A
Poster displays and equipment exhibits by senior engineering students showing engineering design projects.
· Senior design projects
· Product prototypes
· Poster displays of engineering design projects
· Wide variety of subjects within engineering
· New technologies
· Unique solutions to challenging problems
· Multidisciplinary design projects
Open to the Public
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Noon to 5:30 p.m. SUB Ballroom A
~ Refreshments will be served ~ |
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Dec. 10, 2008
MSU Science Saturdays
MSU Science Saturday offers hands-on experiments and a close-up look at science and research projects occurring at MSU. The event takes place December 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Studio 1080, the Burns Technology Center's interactive multimedia center in the atrium of the EPS Building.
"At MSU, we are studying how magnetism generates and transfers electrical energy, records information and facilitates high-speed communication," said Yves Idzerda, a physics professor who will lead the December activities. Idzerda added that just one of many possible applications is ultra-high-density memory, in which 100 movies could be stored on something the size of a credit card.
Science Saturdays are designed for kids aged 10 to 15, but younger kids may attend if accompanied by a parent. Kids who attended the November Science Saturday on viruses should bring back their SciPass passports for new stamps; kids who have not yet attended a Science Saturday will get a free passport during the December event.
The event is free, although enrollment is limited to 100 students. To pre-register, please call 994-6550 during MSU business hours (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Science Saturdays are sponsored by MSU's Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials and MSU Extended University, with support from the Undergraduate Chemistry Society. MSU Science Saturdays will also take place in January, February and March.
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Dec. 1, 2008
Space Weather
Space Weather News for Monday, Dec. 1, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look south. Beaming through the twilight is one of the prettiest things you'll ever see--a tight three-way conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon. The event is visible from all parts of the world, even from light-polluted cities. People in New York and Hong Kong will see it just as clearly as astronomers watching from remote mountaintops. Only cloudy weather or a midnight sun (sorry Antarctica!) can spoil the show.
The great conjunction offers something extra to Europeans. For more than an hour on Monday evening, the crescent Moon will actually eclipse Venus. Astronomers call such an event a "lunar occultation." Venus emerging from the dark edge of the Moon is a remarkably beautiful sight. Sky watchers across Europe will be able to see this happen.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos, webcasts and more information. |
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Nov. 29, 2008
Check out this great website - Amazing Moms!!! - Christmas Around the World
Christmas Around the World - Christmas traditions from other countries.
Christmas is a time for peace and love. What better way to share this message than to incorporate a custom from another country into your holiday festivities. With these links you'll find Christmas recipes, stories
and legends from other countries.
America - American Christmas celebrations combine
traditions from all over the world. Carols from England, trees from Germany, Santa Claus, or St. Nick. originated in Scandinavia...read where American Christmas traditions
started and how they've evolved...More >>
Austria - December 6th is the day Saint Nicholas makes his rounds dressed in a glittering Bishops robe and accompanied by his devilish assistant, Knecht Rupnecht...More >>
Australia - In Australia Christmas comes in the summer time
so the holiday may be spent at the beach, or eating cold salads instead of a hot Turkey...More >>
England - Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday.
With traditions which date back hundreds of years...More >>
France/ Canada -Across Europe Celtic festivals marked the beginning of winter. Those past traditions show through in France and Canada's current celebration of Christmas.
More>>
Germany -In Germany there is a legend of magical events occurring on Christmas Eve; rivers turn to wine,
animals speak, mountains reveal precious gems.
There holiday festivities begin on St. Nicholas Day December 6th...More>>
Italy -Italians combine early pagan festivals with the Christian holiday beliefs. Christmas fairs and torch processions, honor not only the birth of Christ, but also the birth of the "Unconquered Sun." More >>
Mexico - December 16th marks the beginning of La Posadas
a glorious and unique Mexican tradition. More>>
Philippines - Christmas in the Philippines is said to be one of the longest celebrations ever. You'll see the signs of the holiday as early as September. More >>
Poland - Christmas in Poland is a time to mark a new era and forgive grievances of the past. Many magical legends and folklore abound More >>
Spain - Although Spain celebrates the holiday season with much of the usual fare, one tradition is not common elsewhere..."Hogueras" (bonfires) More >>
Sweden - The excitement begins with feasting and celebrating on December 13 - Lucia Day then continues with a magical Christmas holiday. More >>
Main Christmas Page
Christmas greetings from around the World
AmazingMoms Home
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Nov. 28, 2008
Science and Math News for Montana Students
Hi Everyone:
Welcome to the last month of the year – December. This is a great time to begin planning for 2009 and hopefully some of the below items will "spark" your interest.
Upcoming events in Montana Math and Science include:
Jan 30 – 31 – Math Science Leadership Conference – Boz.
March 4 – Hi_Line Science Fair - Havre
March 10 – 12 – Montana Tech Science Fair – Butte
March 11 – Great Falls Science Fair – Shelby
March 20 – 21 – Billings Science Expo - Billings
March 19-22 – NSTA National Conference – New Orleans, LA
March 22 – 24 – State Science Fair - Missoula
April 22-25 – MCTM National Conference – Washington DC
In this Eblast, please find:
1. Math / Science Leadership Conference
2. 2009 Biology Olympiad
3. TOY Challenge
4. Design Challenges for your Class.
5. Montana Science Fairs
1. Math / Science Leadership Conference
The conference is generally a sell- out and fills up early., so now is the time to register. It is being held on Jan 30 – 31 at the Comfort Inn in Boz., MT. Please contact Angel Greenley at greenleya@billings.k12.mt.us to be sure you get your spot at the conference. The topic this year is a continuation of the India for All theme, and presenter Bill Haye is a member of the Assiniboine/Sioux Indian Nation and a faculty member of Lewis-Clark State College. There are many break out sessions, leadership opportunities and the "State of the State" address for both math and science is always a highlight. This is a great conferen! ce to bring your principal and/or other school science and math leader s too. Information can either be obtained from Angel or go to the BaP Message board where the leadership letter, agenda and registration form is posted (http://bap.nsta.org/, then log in and go to Montana Message board) You can also find all the information at the MSTA website. (http://www.abaetern.com/montanascience/).
2. 2009 Biology Olympiad
I wanted to make you aware that registration for the 2009 USA Biology Olympiad is now open on our website and request that you kindly consider distributing the following information about the competition to contacts w! ithin your state who may be interested.
The USA Biology Olympiad is the premiere biology competition in the United States. Starting with almost 10,000 registered students from 40 states in 2008, the competition ultimately selects 4 students as "Team USA" who will represent our nation at the International Biology Olympiad. Last year, for the second year in a row, Team USA returned home from the International Biology Olympiad with 4 gold medals. The team hopes to capitalize on this success in 2009!
Additionally, the USA Biology Olympiad also offers a "Teacher Resource Center" to registered schools to assist teachers. The Teacher Resource Center includes practice exams with answer keys, links to International Biology Olympiad exams, textbook recommendations, links to outside professional development opportunities and study guides, as well as a breakdown of the grading rubric and testing protocol.
The USA Biology Olympiad provides an outstanding forum for aspiring biologists to ! learn and grow in the discipline through interaction with other likeminded students. Take advantage of this opportunity to challenge your outstanding students. For additional information, the program schedule and online registration visit: www.cee.org You can also contact Marcy Reedy, Manager of the USA Biology Olympiad, at mreedy@cee.org or 703-448-9062.
3. TOY Challenge
TOYchallenge is an exciting way to bring imaginative kids together to create a new toy or game. TOYchallenge can be used in schools, after-school programs, home school families, or as part of any youth-based organization. A team consists of 3 to 6 members, at least half of whom must be girls. One adult is the team coach. Register by December 15th for only $60 per team!
Sign up today at www.toychallenge.com or call 1-800-561-5161.
4. Design Challenges for your Class.
A creative way to have your! students work in science is the design challenge. In a design c hallenge students must choose from a list of supplied materials and attempt to overcome a challenge. Some classics in design challenge are ideas like "egg drop" where students using paper and string, must build a container that will save a raw egg from a 5 meter drop. Or a tower building where students must use 30 Fettuccini noodles and a meter of tape to build a tower that will hold the maximum number of books, 5 cm. above the table. A number of factors may be considered when doing a design challenge. It should fit your curriculum and lesson plans. We are way too busy to bring any extra information to our lessons. It should be something that is "hand-on" in terms of students manipulating variables to accomplish an outcome. It also should be practical in the sense that you don't need to spend a lot of time and money finding all the materials. Let's brainstorm in a couple of curriculum areas? Chemistry – We have a "toxic material" that we must dispose of in an environmental friendly way. What's the best way of doing this? Students are provided with a clear mystery solution (actually water with baking soda dissolved in it), and using various other supplied materials ( diluted vinegar, and various other acids and bases) they must solve this. The team that is the quickest and also gets the "toxic" solution closest to the neutral state is the winner. Biology – Seed dispersal – Using a cotton ball as the seed, an 8 X 11 inch piece of paper, 50 cm of string and 50 cm. of tape, they must design a seed dispersal method that when dropped from a 2 meter height; the seed that goes the furthest wins. Physics – During a unit on speed, the team that is able to use a balloon, straw, tape and design a balloon rocket that travels along a string the fastest is the winner. Earth Science – During a unit on climate and heating and cooling a "h! ot house" design challenge is used. The team is given one news paper, 50 cm of tape and some scissors. They must design a 10 cm by 10 cm structure that will hold heat in the best. After 30 minutes of building time, the structures are tested by placing a 250 ml beaker of water in them, and the structure in which the water cools the least is the winner.
Think about your curriculum and lessons. What design challenge can you come up with?
5. Montana Science Fairs
It won't be long before students and teachers are getting ready for the various local, regional and state science fairs. Science fairs are a wonderful way to involve your students in project-based, open inquiry activities. While the school wide fairs are excellent, you could also conduct within your own classroom a science fair. It could be part of your curriculum, a homework assignment or even extra credit type work. Don't forget to have the students present to the other students what they did in their science fair project. An important component of science is the communication aspect (scientists go to conferences, publish research, etc). A bonus might be to have winning teams at your school go on to a regional or state science fair. You can check out all the information on regional and the state science fair by going to http://www.mtsciencefair.org/
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Oct. 25, 2008
More Great deals with Home Science Tools !!!
| Make Science a Hands-on Discovery: |
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Frog Dissection Kit
$12.95
Everything for dissecting a frog! This set comes with a preserved frog (double-injected so you can clearly see veins and arteries), an illustrated guide, scalpel, scissors, pins, and a tray.
Read more >> |
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Crystal Growing Kit
$25.95
Grow nine types of colorful crystals, plus create your own. Learn how crystals, gems, and geodes form while you make imitations of rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and more!
Read more >> |
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You may contact Home Science Tools at:
Home Science Tools 665 Carbon St, Billings, MT 59102
1.800.860.6272
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Oct. 20, 2008
NASA News
Oct. 20, 2008
Orionid Meteor Watch
Space Weather News for Oct. 20, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
ORIONID METEOR WATCH: If you wake up before sunrise on Tuesday, Oct. 21st, set aside 15 minutes or so to watch the sky around Orion. You might see some meteors. The annual Orionid meteor shower, caused by dusty debris from Halley's Comet, is peaking today and tomorrow. Little was expected of this year's display because a bright Moon is hanging in the pre-dawn sky, causing an interfering glare. Surprisingly, however, sky watchers on Oct. 20th witnessed 15 or more Orionids per hour, many of them brighter than first magnitude stars. If this stronger-than-expected display spills into Tuesday, you might be glad to wake up early. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and a sky map.
Sign up for free Space Weather News bulletins:
http://spaceweather.com/services/
Subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com. |
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