Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Cool Off

The latest Praxis Science Outreach column in the Medicine Hat News.

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

July 22, 2023

Cool Off

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/07/22/science-smarts-cool-off/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281689734299451.


I know many of you are on summer break right now, but making lunches each morning is still happening at my house! I do not know about you, but I continually struggle with how to keep what I pack into the lunch warm by lunch time… well, I guess I have to turn to science in order to help me with this dilemma.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

  • Two coffee cans – one large and one smaller so it will fit in the large one
  • Duct tape
  • Ice
  • Coarse (pickling) salt
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Sugar
  • Heavy (whipping) cream
  • Milk
  • Vanilla
  • Mixing spoon

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Flight Science

The latest Praxis Science Outreach column in the Medicine Hat News!

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

July 15, 2023

Flight Science

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/07/15/science-smarts-flight-science/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281668259448803.


It always amazes me at the interesting STEM careers we have right here in southeastern Alberta!

I recently had the privilege of meeting a few Drone Specialists — top Engineers in their field. I was completely in awe at how they could fly those amazing little aircraft with such ease. Unfortunately, I have never been quite coordinated enough not to crash them… so I tend to observe more.

As I saw some of their pretty amazing stunts and maneuvers being performed, it reminds me how these pilots got started. It likely started in their Grade 6 classroom and the ability to master four scientific principles: gravity, lift, thrust and drag. I…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Lock In That Heat

The latest Praxis Science Outreach Column in the Medicine Hat News (July 8).

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

July 8, 2023

Lock In That Heat

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/07/08/science-smarts-lock-in-that-heat/ via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281655374532589.


I know many of you are on summer break right now, but making lunches each morning is still happening at my house! I do not know about you, but I continually struggle with how to keep what I pack into the lunch warm by lunch time… well, I guess I have to turn to science in order to help me with this dilemma.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

  • Thermometer
  • Three same size jars
  • Tape
  • Hot water
  • Timer
  • Piece of paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Wool scarf (or similar)
  • Rubber band
  • Scientific notebook
  • Pencil

Procedure

  1. Wrap one layer of plastic film around jar #1. If…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Sun Safety First Through The Summer Months

The latest Praxis Science Outreach Column in the Medicine Hat News (July 1): Sun Safety First Through The Summer Months

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

July 1, 2023

Sun Safety First Through The Summer Months

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/07/01/science-smarts-sun-safety-first/ or via PressReader https://www.pressreader.com/article/281668259420672.


I do believe summer will “officially” start this weekend — I know the students are done school and now many of us are ready for a reason to celebrate (and Happy Canada Day!).

It has been a hot week, and I am sure it is going to get even hotter this summer. This makes me think sun safety should be a priority for all of us. Each and every one of us should wear sunscreen when outside and this week, I hope to show you why. Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

  • Two sheets of black construction paper
  • Paint brush

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: At-Home Storm Chasing

The latest Praxis Science Outreach column in the Medicine Hat News (June 24).

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

June 24, 2023

At-Home Storm Chasing

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/06/24/science-smarts-at-home-storm-chasing/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281672554373811.


Oh my we have had a couple of weeks of extreme weather right here in Alberta.
I think last I heard there were 10 confirmed tornadoes in one day in this province. This is unheard of — we rarely hear of one or two every few years. I truly hope that everyone did stay safe with this wild weather we are experiencing.

Perhaps you are as curious as I am, and wonder just what a tornado looks up close. I am not brave enough to be one of those “storm chasers” so I thought we could make our own.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: The Science Of The Knuckleball

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. Get a “grip” on science!

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

June 17, 2023

The Science Of The Knuckleball

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/06/17/science-smarts-the-science-of-the-knuckleball/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281685439261631.


The past month or so, I have spent a great deal of time at the baseball diamonds. Just when you think the pitch is coming in and it will be a home run, it is a strike. The ball seems to wiggle or dip, and then a miss… how does this happen?

The coach says these are “knuckeballs.” Hmmmmm… I think we had better turn to science to help us figure this out.

Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• 2 L pop bottle (empty)

• Marbles

• Water

• Sturdy work surface

Procedure

1. Fill the pop bottle as full…

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Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Skateboard Science

The latest Praxis Science Outreach column in the Medicine Hat News (June 10. 2023).

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

June 10, 2023

Skateboard Science

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/06/10/science-smarts-skateboard-science/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281655374476583.


The beautiful weather this week has everyone outside participating in some really great summer activities.

I recently saw some children riding one-wheeled skateboards. Oh my, I can hardly imagine riding a skateboard with four wheels let alone one! Of course, this made me think perhaps I could — I just need to learn a bit about the science of skateboarding.

Let’s investigate further!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Small weights such as some assorted washers
  • Rubber bands
  • Hand
  • Small grape tomato or cherry

Procedure

  1. Attach a couple of weights to the end of the popsicle stick.
  2. Now, test this out to see if it…

View original post 383 more words

Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column: Handmade Compass

The latest Praxis Science Smarts column in the Medicine Hat News (June 3).

PraxisScienceOutreach's avatarPraxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column

June 3, 2023

Handmade Compass

The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/06/03/science-smarts-handmade-compass/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281749863743124.


I can hardly believe it is June already. Where has the school year gone? As summer approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to find some useful science experiments we could have for when we are enjoying the outdoors. As an avid camper in the backcountry, this week, I thought we should learn how to make something that can guide us home just in case we ever get turned around on one of those long hikes.

Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

  • Pin
  • Plasticine
  • Cap from an empty water bottle
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Magnet

Procedure

  1. Fill the bowl about three-quarters full of water.

View original post 333 more words

So why not just quit

dougpete's avatardoug -- off the record

I started using Social Media in 2007.

I’ve never really regretted doing what I do. It has gained me a community of people that I learn from daily. I’m so grateful for that. I can’t imagine how I would have ever learned what I know these days if it wasn’t for a network of people who inspire me to do better.

I’ve always believed in the concept of open learning and open sharing and it’s a way that I give back, in appreciation to those who have kept me learning.

Twitter has always been ground zero for me.

I’ve built everything that I’ve done around it, for the most part. When changes were imminent, I did move to Mastodon hoping to find the same success there. But, it wasn’t to be. I ended up getting limited a couple of times for doing what I was doing. I solved that by…

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