Harris Educational Fan Page Archive August 2009

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www.harris-educational.com TM TM
Harris Educational Fan Page Archive for the Month of: August 2009
Harris Educational is the originator and manufacturer of "Reinventing Science" science kits and materials
that inspire experimenters of all ages to participate in science, math, technology, history and discovery. We
also provide services such as training and workshops, as well as eLearning, multimedia, and product
development. Our mission is to excite young minds (and older young minds) and inspire them to DO
science, math, and technology.
In June of 2009 we started a fan page on Facebook with the goal of promoting awareness of our products
and services. But we don't just want to advertise ourselves but rather to act as a service to educators,
parents, students, and science hobbyists. We post links and articles daily that relate to science, history,
education, and open source software. Also located on our fan page are photographs, information, and
discussion forums. Another of our goals is to become an interactive location where educators, students,
parents, and hobbyists can interact, share their ideas, and become more involved in science and science
projects.
Our fan page is located at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harris-Educational-Reinventing-Science/86177094101
Please subscribe and become fan. Also help us grow our community by using “suggest to friends” one of
the first links under our logo picture in the upper left hand side of the page.
(Note: At some point we will be able to have a custom URL instead of the more clunky one we have now. I
am assuming the original link will continue to work even if that is the case. If you are viewing this document
and the link above does not work, then please do a search on Facebook for “Harris Educational” or
“Reinventing Science” we will update the link in future documents.)
About this Document:

This document is an archive of the activity on our Facebook fan page for a given month. Our goal is to
preserve links, useful content, and other materials so that new fans can benefit from stories that were posted
before they joined AND so that people who do not have or wish to have Facebook accounts can access our
information. All links are given based upon the date/time they were published and therefore may not contain
the same information or even still exist depending on when in the future you try to view them.
This document will be published to our account on Scribd and can be viewed there online, downloaded as a
PDF file, or printed. All hyperlink URL's in this document should be active and can be clicked in order to
launch your default web browser with that content loaded.
The content of this document is meant for educational and hobby purposes only. All copyright or trademark
terms or names are the property of their owners. No copyright infringement is intended. Harris Educational
is not responsible for the content posted at 3rd party sites.
phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

fax: 866.306.3016 (toll free) youtube: www.youtube.com/reinventor32
document:www.scribd.com/reinventor32
Become a fan at our Facebook Fan Site:
www.facebook.com/pages/Harris-Educational-Reinventing-Science/86177094101
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Harris Educational Fan Page Archive for the Month of: June 2009
August 1, 2009
Astronomy: Citizen Scientists working with the "Galaxy Zoo" project have discovered extremely rare "green
pea" galaxies. You too can be a citizen scientist and help with scientific research in astronomy or many other
fields. You can also get your kids involved. What a great way to invest in their future!
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Astronomers_Discover_Rare_Green_Pea_Galaxies_999.html
August 3, 2009
Physics / Air Pressure: For those who like bangs and explosions... This video clip is a preview of a new
show that is going to air on the BBC (and maybe eventually here in the US?) but the concept shown is really
cool. Its an oxyacetylene powered air-vortex cannon. High speed photography shows the vortex ring as
visible because it picks up evaporating water droplets from the pond over which its shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyAyd4WnvhU
August 3, 2009
Technology/Photography: Build your own Tilt Shift Lens! This is a great article describing how you can use
ordinary plumbing parts to make an inexpensive tilt shit lens for your video or still camera. Tilt Shift is a
technique where a special lens (or a photoshop/video process) is used to shift the focus in an image so that
it looks like a miniature (a video showing the results is included in the article).
http://cow.mooh.org/2009/07/plungercam-2-cheaper-and-more.html
An example of tilt shift on video can be found in the opening credits of the recent Joss Whedon TV show
"The Dollhouse"... Also if you are familiar with the opening/end credits of "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" that IS
a miniature model with a camera panning over it... but tilt shift can make REAL scenes look like such a
miniature model. Its a really ... Read More neat effect. If you want to try without building a lens you can also
process photos using photoshop OR use this free website: http://tiltshiftmaker.com/ (the lens works best for
actual video)
August 3, 2009
FYI: We've just posted a "Fan Page Archive" for the month of June 2009 to our Scribd account. This archive
lists all the major stories, updates, comments, and links from this fan page for the month of June. Soon we'll
be posting the July archive and will continue to archive each month's activity in the future. Stay tuned for
other posts to Scribd including a hovercraft article and a structures workshop article!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18063921/Harris-Educational-Fan-Page-Archive-June-2009
Fan Page Archive for July also now published to Scribd
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18068308/Harris-Educational-Fan-Page-Archive-July-2009

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August 4, 2009
Earth Science/Data Logging: Build your own Seismograph! This is an article that was originally posted to our
Harris Educational website in 2003. We've repackaged the article from HTML to Print format and posted to
Scribd. The article is meant as a starting point in designing a flex-sensor based seismograph that can
connect to probeware or data logging equipment. It explains how a flex sensor works.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18103235/Build-Your-Own-Seismograph
We also used flex sensors in non-destructive testing of cardboard structures during workshops with the NC-
TSA, and for NC Technology Educators. Stay tuned for a downloadable packet of information from that
workshop including some updates. We are going through a process of offloading some of the HTML based
articles from our old(current) Harris ... Read MoreEducational website so that we may update the site with a
more modern look and feel AND with updated and better information. If you are a teacher, keep an eye on
our Scribd account, we won't post all updates here to Face Book.
August 4, 2009
Earth Science: To go along with the previous post about how to build a seismograph, here is a great video
clip from National Geographic about earthquakes. Some amazing accidental footage taken during
earthquakes that show the true extent of the shaking when one strikes! If anyone in the audience has lived
through an earthquake please feel free to share your experiences in the comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWOH2EhC1KM
August 5, 2009
Technology 3D: Scientists have used 3D imaging technology to bring an ancient spider back to life as a 3D
model. Would you want to run into one of these guys in a dark alley?
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_5-8-2009-9-49-44
August 6, 2009
Physics: Scientists had already recently discovered that ordinary sticky tape can emit x-rays when peeled in
a vacuum (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27323869/) but now they have used the same principle to make
tape produce lower frequency terahertz rays (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terahertz)
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327195.500-sticky-tape-emits-useful-terahertz-rays.html
August 6, 2009
Did you know: FEMA has a "FEMA for Kids" website with information and activities to help young children
understand and learn more about natural disasters and how to be more prepared? I found this link while
researching the tsunami alert system after a west coast friend recently posted something about being under
a tsunami alert after the recent Baja California earthquake. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/
http://www.fema.gov/kids/
If you are located on the West Coast of the US, here is the tsunami alert site: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/

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August 7, 2009
Photography/Summer Science Fun: Make your own Pinhole Camera Lens for a DIGITAL camera. Many may
remember playing with a pinhole camera and its unique focus, but did you know you can do the same kind
of thing very inexpensively with your digital camera not just a film camera? This first site has some tips and
some example pictures taken this way. http://www.camerahacker.com/EOS_Pin-Hole_Lens/index.shtml has
more.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/132090/make_a_digital_pinhole_camera.html
August 7, 2009
Just Plain Cool: Following up on a previous article about Jay Leno's 3D printer... company Shapeways can
take your 3D cad model and turn it into an inexpensive physical reality, printed in 3D in steel! There are
some really neat examples here: http://www.shapeways.com/themes/stainless_steel_3dprinting_gallery
http://www.shapeways.com/
Summer Time Science Fun: Shapeways printing technique works with 3D files generated from many CAD
and 3D programs including the open source/freeware "Blender" If you have the time, work with your family
and create a family crest bracelet or picture frame or other item and upload and print in 3D. What a great
almost-home-made gift for someone! (if anyone does this, please share your pictures or files with us!)
August 8, 2009
(posted by fan Garland Arnold)
There's a whole series of science manga books!
http://nostarch.com/mg_electricity.htm
August 10, 2009
Green Energy: California Company "Idealabs" opens a new solar power facility that uses mirrors that track
the sun to focus light onto a central tower in order to boil water and make steam which turns a turbine and
generates electricity. The mirrors are on movable computer control mounts that track the sun as it moves
through the sky in order to maintain maximum focus. Will generate enough energy to power 4000 homes.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-idealab5-2009aug05,1,2289105.story
Teacher Tip / Summer Science Fun: There are many websites with plans for building a solar oven. Most are
simply parabolic reflectors made of shiny aluminum foil with as platform for cooking food at the focus point. A
good way to teach about parabolas. Another idea is to use data logging equipment and a thermocouple
temperature sensor in order to... Read More measure the heat generated at the focus and compare the
energy delivered when pointed directly at the sun, vs. at other angles. They can also be a neat way to cook
a hotdog on a field trip or camping trip!
Did you know: One of the problems with solar cells that generate electricity directly from sunlight is that they
generate the most electricity when they are directly perpendicular to the suns rays. As the sun moves
through the sky the angle of the rays change and so a fixed platform can only give maximum output for a
few minutes each day! ... Read MoreSometimes this is offset by mounting panels at different angles or by
using rounded lenses over the solar cells that look like bubbles so that more light can be gathered over
different angles. Even in the solar steam system mentioned in the article, some electricity generated must go
to power the system of computers and motors that steer the mirrors to track the sun.

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August 10, 2009

Green Energy: Hugh Piggott has spent his spare time building his own alternators, wind turbines, and
windmills to generate his own electricity. Some work from automotive alternators, and in others he built his
own alternator. His website has a lot of useful information for anyone interested in harvesting wind power
and converting it to electricity. Proof that individuals can "do it themselves"
http://www.scoraigwind.com/
(From fan Joel Marchesoni)
This is awesome! I've been looking for some good instructions for doing this. I really want to get into using
non-consumable energy, and I think we would all be better off if this was where the majority of power comes
from, not the minority.
(From fan Daniel Bliley)
Here's something to check into...using stepper motors as alternators. Most are wound to produce lots of
torque at a very low speed, which in turn means they output quite a bit of power at lower input speeds when
used as a generator. just use 4 pairs of diodes as a rectifier circuit, and you're cookin'! I've got about 4 or 5
smaller stepper motors at the house (scavenged from older printers) that I'm gonna try out. I love this idea.
(From Harris Educational)
For those who may not know what Dan is talking about... alternators produce alternating current (A.C.) but to
use that output as D.C. (Direct Current) you have to use diodes (devices that only allow electricity to pass
through them in one direction) in a circuit arrangement that changes the A.C. to D.C. A common type that
uses 4 diodes is the bridge rectifier. To learn more about it try this Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_bridge
August 10, 2009

Reinventing Science: More information posted to our Scribd account about our Reinventing Science kits.
Documents include information brochures, reading list and bibliography, information about science
standards, and now troubleshooting and FAQ's. We'll be posting more science experiments and info about
our kits there as time goes on, keep an eye on our Scribd account. Subscribe to our page there if you like it!
http://www.scribd.com/reinventor32
August 11, 2009

Astronomy: Today is Equinox day for Saturn. Its position compared to the sun will make for some
spectacular views and will help highlight details not normally visible.
http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n0908/10saturn/
(from fan Mindy Smith)
Look for meteor showers tonight!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090811/sc_space/strongmeteorshowerexpectedtonight
August 11, 2009

(from fan Dorothy Rosa Durkee)
Every Day a new surprise!
http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n0908/10saturn/

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August 11, 2009

Open Source: Open Source for America was founded by industry leaders AND individuals to help promote
the use of open source software and open standards by the US Government, a way to save money and
increase choice. Recently the group met and established five goals. Open Source for America has a fan
page here on Face Book too (check out our "Favorite Pages" for a link) You too can get involved!
http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/07/five-projects-for-open-source.html
August 12, 2009

Carbon Dioxide Eating Cement! The manufacture of ordinary cement produces about 5% of the human
caused CO2 emissions per year through burning fossil fuels. A British start-up company has switched out
calcium carbonate for magnesium silicates which ...not only reduce CO2 in manufacture but also absorbs
CO2 as the concrete ages!
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=carbon-eating-green-cemen
August 12, 2009

Technology 3D Printing AND open source: We've posted articles about 3D printing here before, but now you
can buy your own 3D printer kit for less than $1000 and produce printed 3D plastic items 4x4x6 inches in
size. The kits are powered by step...per motors and controlled by Open Source software. Great for making
useful items, toys, jewelry, or for teaching 3D, CAD, and Design in the technology classroom!
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/makerbot/
(from Fan Frankie Bishop)
This is fantastic! But can't we use anything else except plastic?
(from Harris Educational)
This particular design probably works by injecting a liquid plastic as a patern built up layer by layer. Other
more expensive designs work by using a semi-solid block of plastic that is light sensitive. Lasers shine light
and those areas harden while the rest can be removed. Of course there is also conventional CNC milling.
Also the article I ... Read Moreposted last week points to a company that can do similar things printing with
Metal (a similar process, liquid metal laid down in layers that then is heat treated to harden). Those are a bit
out of the range of the home experimenter.
August 12, 2009

(from Fan Bill Stevens)
There's always one in every family... here we have a planet that orbits it's host star in the opposite direction
of the star's rotation.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090812/sc_space/newfoundplanetorbitsbackward

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August 13, 2009

Technology / Just plain cool: If you live in North Carolina OR one of the many other states that carries the
show, get ready for the new season of "The Woodwright's Shop" with Roy Underhill. Roy has also opened a
woodworking school in... Pittsboro NC (near Chapel Hill/Raleigh) where he teaches hand woodworking
skills. Carbon Neutral Subversive Woodcraft. In my opinion one of the best shows on PBS!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=295752&id=182516435163&ref=mf
(from Fan Steven Hall)
I just wish my local PBS would pick up this show again after these last few years. They show no interest....
August 13, 2009

Reinventing Chevrolet: This tutorial video from the 1930's explains how a differential gear works.
Differentials are still used in cars today, though today they work on the front wheels and are integrated into
the transmission (now called the t...rans-axle). Fast forward to about 1:50 on the video to get to the cool part
most quickly. This tutorial really stands the test of time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc
Teacher Tip: If you teach technology or physics (or want to help your kids at home understand this) you can
build your own differential gear like they show in the video. Tinker Toys can be used or Lego Technical sets
come with a differential gear. Or you could make one out of heavy cardboard.
(from Fan Richard Howard)
This is a great explanation - thanks for the link.
August 14, 2009

Reinventing Morse: Danish Physicist Hans Christian Ørsted accidentally discovered that when an electric
current is passed through a conductor, a magnetic field is generated. Thus paving the way for the study of
electromagnetism and devices like the ...telegraph, the relay, and the electric motor. Today Google is
honoring his birthday with a "google doodle" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_%C3%98rsted
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/aug/14/hans-christian-orsted-google
August 14, 2009

Green Energy: Orange County Choppers have now built an electric motorcycle for the Siemens Corporation.
It is their first custom all electric bike. (wouldn't have been possible without our friend Hans Christian Ørsted!
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/08/occ-electric-chopper/
August 15, 2009

Lee Walker, a good friend of ours from Partnership for Learning used our "Reinventing Edison: Build your
own Light Bulb" science kit as part of a teacher training workshop. The teachers at the workshop, and Lee
graciously agreed to share the pictures with us and you!
(updated and added 5 new photos)

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August 15, 2009

Fan Drive! If you like the articles and info we post to this page (and the supporting info on Youtube, Scribd,
etc etc) then use "Suggest to Friends" (one of the links under our profile picture to the left) to send
suggestions to more peop...le on your friends list. Help us spread the word and grow to 1000 fans! In the
mean while, thanks so much to all of you who are already fans and who are helping get the word out!
August 17, 2009

Reinventing Edison (Phonograph): Before MP3's, before CD's, before even 8-track tapes, there were
phonograph records! Did you know that the mass production of phonograph records used electrochemical
reactions? This film from RCA from 1942 ...(in two parts, part two in the comments) is a fascinating look into
the state of the art in sound reproduction and manufacturing of the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xwe-Mt99Dw
Part two of the film is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxhiUgK5gzs
Did you know that digital reproduction of music on CD (WAV files) or by MP3 compression both produce
distortions and do not accurately reproduce the original music? Only a mechanical phonograph record, in its
analog reproduction of sound vibrations can actually reproduce music faithfully. A record also produces
better bass tones than other methods.
(this post is dedicated to fan and music lover Stacy Peterson)

(from Fan Nathanael Dale Ries)
Hmm, MAybe thats why everyone is learning that you should use Ogg or FLACC instead of MP3...
For those who don't know, Ogg stands for Ogg Vorbis and FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec.
They are descriptors for digital audio files that do not loose data through compression. They also are not
restricted by proprietary license issues since they are open source. Many audio programs (like Audacity) can
use these codec's.
http://www.vorbis.com/ (info on Ogg Vorbis)
http://flac.sourceforge.net/ (info on FLAC)
Since the human ear responds best to a range of frequencies MP3 encoding compresses files by throwing
out frequencies that we don't respond as much to, thus creating distortion. Ogg and FLAC do not loose
these ranges.... Read More
Even though these codec's are "loss less", by virtue of encoding an analog sound to digital by sampling,
they still can not reproduce the sound in all its tonal qualities like an actual phonograph record.

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August 17, 2009

Biology/Biotechnology: Scientists create a nanobioelectronic device, an electrical conductor insulated by fat
molecules with proteins acting as a method to control the conductivity of the wire. These devices have been
configured into partially biological transistors. Pretty neat stuff. (Thanks Maria for originally posting this)
http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/08/nanobioelectronic_device_is_born_new_silicon_nanowire_wor
ks_through_functional_membrane_proteins.html
(from Fan Dusty T Allen)
Super Cool
August 18, 2009

Space/Energy: NASA is testing a small nuclear reactor that would produce heat that would power a Stirling
engine in order to provide electrical power for future lunar missions including long term stays. The
Nuclear/Stirling option can provide more electricity than solar panels but the process of launching nuclear
materials into space is controversial since it is potentially dangerous.
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23247/
(from Fan Ralph Patterson)
I could use one of these in my backyard :)
(from Fan Joel Marchesoni)
While it sounds neat the whole point of solar panels, at least in my mind, is non-consumable energy. Nuclear
energy is consumable, dangerous, and can be quite dirty. I assume they're just going to eject the waste into
space? They should try putting a giant magnifying glass in front of the Stirling engine and point it towards the
sun :)
(from Fan Jason Nicholson)
Did you see the comment were somebody suggested they use wind turbines instead? Wind turbines...on the
moon, I hope that was a joke.
August 19, 2009

Chemistry: You may know that Russian Scientist Dmitri Mendeleev was the first person to create a periodic
classification system to organize the chemical elements . But did you know that on this date (August 19,
1887) he took a solo hot air balloon t...rip (with no prior experience with balloons) in order to view a solar
eclipse above the clouds souring to over 11500 feet then realizing he didn't know how to land!
http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/08/dayintech_0819/
Learn more about Mendeleev here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendeleev
And here is a REALLY cool dynamic/interactive Periodic Table of the Elements (web 2.0 style):
http://www.dayah.com/periodic/
(from Fan Ewan Pritchard)
That is one of the coolest periodic tables I have ever seen - It reminds me of a disco floor
(from Fan Phil Voelker)
That is a cool periodic table! Does anyone do an element of the day in their chemistry/physical science
class? Any tips?

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Phil, thanks, I did find this PDF worksheet for an element of the day activity.
http://www.middleschoolscience.com/elemtradcds.pdf I do think an element of the day is a good idea, please
share back if you decide upon a format or do this activity in your class!
August 19, 2009

Education/Open Source: This question on Slashdot is about "open Source" publishing of text books. The
idea is reduced price for end-users. This can include online distribution of books, eLearning, ebooks, and
on-demand print services. The ...article mentions services such as Flatworld Knowledge, Lulu, and
Connexions. There are other services out there such as Scribd that we use here at Harris Educational.
http://ask.slashdot.org/story/09/08/18/2137216/Advice-On-Creating-an-Open-Source-Textbook
(From Fan David Hayter)
I can help with your on-demand print services...
August 20, 2009

Mathematics: Pi has now been calculated to a new record of 2.5 trillion decimal places. Still no discernible
pattern. As you may know, Pi is one of the fundamental constants being the ratio of the circumference of a
circle to its diameter. One of... the better known irrational numbers. The calculation was done using a T2K
Open Supercomputer: http://www.open-supercomputer.org/index.html
http://www.examiner.com/x-16352-Japan-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m8d18-Japanese-supercomputer-
calculates-PI-to-record-25-trillion-digits
(from Fan John Johnson)
Wonder which method they used to compute it.
(from Fan Pauly Corrigan)
my guess is the drunken master or iron monkey...
(from Fan Tom Cash)
Unless my math is way off, you would need a seriously suped-up PC to even HOLD that entire figure, never
mind calculating even a tenth of it.
They used a supercomputer, the 47th fastest in the world. Forget the PC.
(from fan Joel Marchesoni)
IBM needs to get on the ball, I'm sure one of the Blue's could do better than that!
August 20, 2009

Sharing Education Hands On: Kids learn by doing, and this article shows a great example of how to get kids
excited about learning by doing. Adults in Washington State have set up a blacksmith camp to give boy
scouts the chance to get hands on with ...metal working. Here are some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/toolmonger/pool/page3/
http://toolmonger.com/2009/08/20/teaching-the-next-generation-with-fire/#more-29989

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August 21, 2009

Creativity: New crayons are multicolored to produce interesting textures. Also here is info on making your
own crayons: http://www.ehow.com/how_4731813_own-crayons.html and here is info on recycling crayons:
http://www.green-talk.com/2009/01/28/recycle-your-crayons-or-make-your-own-crayon-art/
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2009/08/20/rich-color-crayons/
One interesting idea if you are a parent of young children is to gather broken crayons into toy metal pie pans
and stick them in a toaster (or real) oven for a few minutes so they all melt down. Result: weird-shaped
multicolored crayons that are fun to play with. Recycled fun!
August 22, 2009

Technology/Do It Yourself: Frenchman Claude Pallard makes his own vacuum tubes for electronics projects!
This two part video (see link to part two below) is as entertaining and artful as the science and technology
behind his efforts. Truly a must w...atch video clip!
(part 2 is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S5OwqOXen8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl-QMuUQhVM
Thomas Edison discovered and patented what he humbly named "the Edison Effect" while trying to stop the
formation of metallic residue inside a light bulb produced as a filament slowly boiled away under continued
use. He placed a charged metal plate inside the bulb to try to make the residue only stick to this plate. He
found by being electrically ... Read Moreshocked when he accidentally touched the plate wire that a current
was actually flowing in the vacuum between the filament and the charged plate. He never found a use for
this effect himself, but his work was carried on by other scientists including De Forest who came up with
vacuum tube diodes, and later vacuum tube triodes (from three electrodes) which formed the first electronic
amplifiers.
August 23, 2009

Pretty Amazing computer technologies from 1963
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOZqRJzE8xg
Really Cool Video Bill. The wikipedia entry has some more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sketchpad
including a link to a PDF copy of his Thesis describing the whole system (mechanically, electrically, and
program wise) at: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/techreports/UCAM-CL-TR-574.pdf
I've skimmed the thesis and its a really cool read if you are interested in computer programming or computer
graphics.

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August 24, 2009

Weather: Scientists for the first time have measured a ground to cloud lightning strike (an electrical jet or
fountain) and found that it has as much energy as a cloud to ground strike. New atmospheric phenomena
are still being discovered all the time.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17664-gigantic-jets-blast-electricity-into-upper-atmosphere.html?
DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
August 24, 2009

More Weather: Think we already know it all? or even most of it all? Have you ever heard of or seen these
these tubular clouds? So much more for science to do! Fun Science Activity Idea: Use your digital camera
and help your kids/students take pic...tures to document different kinds of cloud formations. Take pictures
from the same location every day for an interesting point of reference.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/morninggloryclouds/
August 25, 2009

Astronomy: Happy 400th Anniversary to Galileo's Telescope. (honored with today's Google Doodle).
http://www.rferl.org/content/Four_Hundred_Years_Ago_Galileos_Telescope_Changed_The_World/1807134.
html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2009/aug/25/galileos-telescope-400-years-anniversary
August 25, 2009

Posted new Photo Album: “Hydroponic Agriculture at EPCOT”
August 25, 2009

griculture/Green: With a victory garden again at the White House, and many of us setting aside space for
"urban gardens" the kind of research going on into sustainable agriculture and hydroponics at Disney
World's EPCOT Center should ...be of great interest. Check out more interesting links in the comments AND
check out the photo album we just posted from EPCOT's "The Land"
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/07/26/mickey-mouse-sustainable-farming/
Custom Shaped Cucumbers from Japan:
http://gizmodo.com/5345114/heart+shaped-cucumber-anyone
Grow your own Custom Shaped Vegetables:
http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=2&p=51543&cat=4,104,53213&ap=3
Hydroponics from Wikipedia:... Read More
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics
Hydroponics Online (a good starting point for how-to)
http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/
This Article and the Photo Album are dedicated to fans Emily Keene and Heidi Grable who grow their own
serious gardens AND to fan Hannah Gardner who works at Disney World. Support locally grown food!

is
August 26, 2009

Technology/CNC: In the recent past we've reported on CNC machines (almost like replicators) that can inject
polymers and make physical 3D objects, we've even reported on do-it-yourself kits and similar machines that
can print in 3D in metal.... Now you can also use a do-it-yourself kit to print your own 3D candy! A neat
school project, and potential way to generate funds to pay for building the machine.
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/cf6k
This article is in sharp contrast to the "eat your veggies" centric articles from yesterday, but anything in
moderation is ok right? and if you actually expend the energy to build it yourself you should be ok with a little
printed 3D candy goodness.
(from fan Mindy Smith)
Sweet!
August 26, 2009

Science/Cooking: To continue our sweet theme of the day, visit this page to learn about "the science of
cooking", the tab selected at this link involves candy, but don't worry there are also science experiments
relating to bread, eggs,... pickles, meat, and seasoning. The kitchen is a great place to teach about
measuring, mixtures, and chemical changes.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/index.html
{August 26, 2009: Posts to the Harris Educational page are now cross linked and posted to our Twitter Feed
at http://twitter.com/reinventor32 }
August 27, 2009

Space/Do It Yourself: Hobbyist John Gordon used an Arduino Kit (Modular Electronics Experiment Kits
including microprocessors, video, software) to build a smart camera and then launched it into space using a
hot air balloon. Amazing pictures from sp...ace can be found here (http://io9.com/5346363/hobbyist-
launches-camera-into-space-and-takes-amazing-pictures/gallery/) thanks IO9.
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/08/26/spaceduino/
Arduino kit information can be found here: http://www.arduino.cc/
If you are a fan of Make Magazine, tinker with electronics, or just like building and programming your own
devices, Arduino may be a good platform to work from. (could also be used to control your own 3D candy
CNC machine for example)
August 27, 2009

A Lego robot that can solve Sudoku puzzles.... pretty cool.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94177-Swedish-Hacker-Builds-Sudoku-Solving-Lego-Robot

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August 27, 2009

Open Source: (Following up on the Cornell method of note taking that was posted fan Ralph Patterson)
Open Source Program "Notalon" which works for Windows, Mac, and Linux is a Cornell-style note taking
utility. It lets you create outline style notes quickly and easily with many hotkeys and shortcuts. Perhaps best
for taking other notes and organizing them, it can also be used real-time to take notes in class.
http://lifehacker.com/5346070/notalon-helps-you-take-cornell%20style-notes
(from Fan Ralph Patterson)
checking out Notalon now!
August 28, 2009

Chemistry/Physics: IBM Researchers for the first time have been able to take pictures of atomic bonds and
view entire molecules using a new Electron Microscope technique. One thing they had to overcome,
electrostatic and van der Waals forces at the tip of the microscope which would otherwise have attracted
and moved the specimen they were viewing! First Imaged: the organic molecule pentacene.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17699-microscopes-zoom-in-on-molecules-at-last.html
August 28, 2009

Science Fun: Not to be outdone by molecular imaging, the scientists in this video have invented fire proof
paper! On the horizon... an answer to our energy crisis in the form of flammable water! Happy Friday
everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnblmZdTbYs
(from Fan Michelle Stanley Johnson)
Beaker is Mike's favorite Muppet character
(from Fan Emily Allen Keene)
I love the Muppet Show! Thanks for making me smile!
August 31, 2009

Green Energy: How would you like to drive on a roadway that was made of glass, generated electricity
during the day, could melt snow and ice off of itself, and that could light up at night with digital information?
The Department of Transportation recently awarded funding for prototypes to begin being manufactured and
tested.
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/solar-roadways-get-prototype-funding-from-dot/
August 31, 2009

Beekeeping and Home Schooling: We just published Heidi G. Grable's story of 4 lessons learned from
beekeeping in her home school to our Scribd account. A great read for anyone interested in bee keeping,
home schooling, or just in hearing an inspiring story. Thanks so much for contributing this Heidi! Everyone
please read and share with your friends!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/19270391/Beekeeping-and-Home-Schooling

is
August 31, 2009

You too can become a Contributing Author for Harris Educational! Contact Bennett M. Harris (from
Burlington NC) here on Face Book if you would like to author and share your own stories about science,
education, history, technology, or anything useful to a teacher, student, or experimenter. (thanks Heidi
Grable for being our first contributing author!)


Harris Educational Fan Page Archive August 2009

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phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 10, 2009

August 10, 2009

August 11, 2009

August 11, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 11, 2009

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August 12, 2009

August 12, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 13, 2009

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August 14, 2009

August 14, 2009

August 15, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 15, 2009

August 17, 2009

(this post is dedicated to fan and music lover Stacy Peterson)

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 17, 2009

August 18, 2009

August 19, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

(from Harris Educational)

August 19, 2009

August 20, 2009

August 20, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 21, 2009

August 22, 2009

August 23, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 24, 2009

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August 25, 2009

August 25, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 26, 2009

August 26, 2009

August 27, 2009

August 27, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 27, 2009

August 28, 2009

August 28, 2009

August 31, 2009

August 31, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

August 31, 2009

phone: 336.506.6696 (9-5 est) Building Better Education twitter: twitter.com/reinventor32

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