October Sky Blog

The movie October Sky is flied with examples of science, math and character education traits. One example of science are the rockets. This whole movie was about rocket science. The four kids use the scientific method to find the best way to build a good rocket. Along with the science of the rockets, there was also math involved. The kids had to figure out formulas and solve different equations to make sure their rocket worked properly. All of the character traits are shown, however, one that stood out the most was respect. At first, Homer’s dad did not like that Homer was building the rockets because he thought Homer should be working in the coal mine with him. But when Homer wins the national science fair, his dad not only starts to respect the rocket, he respects Homer too. As you can see, in October Sky science, math and character education traits were demonstrated.  

My Response Blog

I read Shecklerluv1128’s blog on Tay Sachs disease. It made me feel sad that a person with this would die at just 4 and 5. I wonder why this disease is not in the U.S. When you say that there are Cherry Red spots in the eyes and that’s how you know that person is a victim, I cant imagine what that would look like. Also, when you say that symptoms are that you can’t swallow, does that mean you just drool? Tay Sachs disease is very sad and I hope one day they find a cure for it. Hopefully, since it only occurs if both parents have the gene, not a lot of people will get the disease.    

Glow In The Dark Venus

Who: ESA's Venus Express spaceship

Where: Venus

When: February 25, 2009

What: The ESA's Venus Express spaceship observed that there was a glow around Venus durning nighttime. This glow is impossible to see with the naked eye, however, the scientists saw it using a Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer(VIRTIS) which is something used to see wavelengths. 

 

Why: The glow was caused by the Sun's ultraviolet light rays.

My Opinion: I think it makes a lot of sense that the weird glow was caused by UV rays since Venus is right by the Sun. Also, I wonder if the scientists were shocked when they saw this or if this happens often.   

I got my info from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224133735.htm 

Highway Robbery in Russia

In Moscow, on February 23rd, there were 7 suspects who stole about 43 million rubles or $ 1 million in cash on the highway! You might ask, how did this happen, well 2 of the 7 suspects dressed up as traffic police. When the 2 suspects told their victims to stop their car the five other suspects held them at gunpoint. Two bankers told police that the suspects had automatic riffles. It is still unknown why these people did this. I think this is crazy. I have never heard anything like this before! I wonder if police will release the names of these people. I hope no one was harmed and those 7 suspects go to jail for causing what police said, on of Russia's biggest armed robberies in years. 

I got my info from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29347537/ 

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Awsomeness

Red VS Blue

Who: Researchers at the University of British Columbia

When: Thursday, February 5, 2009

Where: England

What: Researchers did a study with 600 people. The test was to see if people's performance is different when they are looking at red or blue. Some people did the red test and had better results in remembering words and stuff like that. The other people took the blue test and did better in creativity.

Why: The researchers did the test to see if it is true that if you work in a room that has a lot of red in it, you're work will be more accurate and if you work in a room with a lot of blue in it you're work will be more creative.

My Opinion: I think this is true. The colors that are around you make an impacted on the kind of way you feel. For example, if you are working in a yellow room, you are going to feel more energized than if you were working in a black room. The opposite effect of red rooms vs blue rooms makes since because red is the opposite color of blue, so the feelings are going to be different.

I got my info from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/science/06color.html?_r=1&ref=science&pagewanted=print

Chuck, the Groundhogs Day groundhog

On February 2nd, Groundhogs Day, Chuck the groundhog bit the New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg. A day after this, the zookeepers from the Staten Island Zoo(where the incident happened) decided to take Chuck out for another photo op. However, things don't go as planed. Chuck spotted a photograph of Mayor Bloomberg that was planted there by a photographer. Then, he flared his teeth  and rubbed his lips in the corner on the picture. In my opinion, this groundhog is crazy. In the article it states,"He's usually well behaved," insisted Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper." Based on what happened over those two days Chuck is either just crazy, or hates Major Bloomberg.    

I got my info from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04groundhog.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print