Tag Archives: science

Do Now #56: Concussions in Sports

January 8, 2013, 9:57 pm • Posted by Andrea Swensrud
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To respond to the Do Now, you can comment below or tweet your response. Be sure to begin your tweet with @KQEDEdspace and end it with #KQEDDoNow

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Do Now

Should professional and amateur sports have stricter rules to prevent injuries like concussions? Why or why not? Please provide a suggestion that could tackle this issue.

Introduction

Concussions are not rare occurrences in contact sports, such as football. And this is not only for the pros, but for college, high school and even younger athletes. An article in the New York Times reports that half of all high school football players have had at least one concussion and 35 percent have had two or more. With about 1.3 million high school football players in the U.S., that adds up to a lot of concussions.

A concussion is an injury to the brain, caused by a traumatic blow to the head, or rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head, often from a hit. Concussions can be hard to diagnose because a doctor can't "see" a concussion like an x-ray can show a broken bone. Doctors have had to rely on patients reporting symptoms, which include loss of consciousness, loss of memory, difficulty thinking or concentrating, dizziness, headaches and nausea. For most people, recovery from a concussion happens in 7-10 days, but, for others, some symptoms can last months or years. For youth, concussions may be especially damaging because their brains are still developing. And scientists believe that there are cumulative long-term effects from enduring multiple concussions.

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Filed under: 6 -12 Science, Do Now, Science
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Six Resources for Teaching About Careers in Science

January 2, 2013, 8:00 am • Posted by Almetria Vaba
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What better time to discuss careers and goal setting with your students than on the cusp of a new year? In December, PBS LearningMedia featured a collection of resources focused on STEM careers that was both motivating and insightful.

Designing a Rollercoaster Video (:53): Grades 5-12
Meet mechanical engineer and roller coaster designer Chris Gray, in this video adapted from DESIGN SQUAD. Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of science to design and build all kinds of machines, including roller coasters. Chris explains how gravity and the changes in energy-between its potential and kinetic forms-create the excitement of a roller coaster ride.

I Want to Be a Scientist! Multiple Videos: Pre-K- 1
This is part of a group of videos that allow students to learn about the many different career possibilities as a scientist including: a marine biologist, robotics engineer, and an astronaut who does engineering in space.

Geneticist Pardis Sabeti Video (5:04): Grades 6-12
This video can provide  proof that it is possible to be a rockstar and a scientist. Use this video that profiles geneticist Pardis Sabeti to enrich lessons on genetics or spark conversation about careers in science.

Scientist Profile: Robotic Life Scientist Video (2:39): Grades 4-6
This video clip shows students the fun of science. As a kid, this groundbreaking robot designer was inspired by the movie Star Wars. The first sociable robot she built at MIT, where she's now a professor, was called Kismet. While Cynthia's work is with robots, her goals are much larger; "Technology is something you create to improve the human condition, to contribute to a better quality of life for everyone." (Spanish version also available)

Scientist Profile: Game Designer Video (2:53): Grades 4-6
For students who love video games and sports this video shows how computer science, design, and math influence work as a video game designer. Xbox game designer David Ortiz wanted to be a professional football player or a doctor when he was a boy. Once he got to college, he became interested in computer science and design. Now he takes a sports idea like football and makes it into a hot new video game. David works with coaches and players in the NFL to turn game day plays into life-like computer animation.

Luis von Ahn: Computer Scientist Video (5:09): Grades 6-12
In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, meet Luis von Ahn, a computer scientist and a professor at Carnegie Mellon who is already at the top of his field at age thirty. Learn about one of his most successful ideas—CAPTCHA—a test that humans can pass but computers cannot, which has been used to improve the security of Internet sites. Explore how he comes up with his innovative ideas, and how CAPTCHAs have been reinvented to help digitize old books.

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Five Resources for Engaging in the Microscopic World of Cells

December 13, 2012, 10:07 am • Posted by Almetria Vaba
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Teaching about cells can be a bit abstract. Often, classroom microscopes are not capable of illuminating tiny cells and structures and textbook images never quite do the amazing cell justice. Current media resources however, can be just the thing to engage students in this microscopic world!

In the Cellular Structure and Function activity from PBS LearningMedia, multiple media resources (Grades: 6-12) can be woven together for a virtual tour of the cell.

1. Gallery of Cells Images

Students start by viewing images of a variety of specialized cells.  At all levels of organization in the living world, form and function go hand in hand. Take the cell, for example. A cell's DNA determines the size and shape of the cell as well as its role in the host organism or environment. These images illustrate the variety of forms cells can take, suggesting the myriad functions performed by cells in the human body and in other life forms.

2. Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Membrane Video (4:21)

With this video clip, students learn the three main parts of a cell -- the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane -- and can discuss generally what each part does. What constitutes a cell? More than any other structures, it's the nucleus, cytoplasm, and membrane. Explore the form and function of these three critical cell parts in this video segment.

3. Cell Membrane: Just Passing Through Interactive

With this interactive game, students explore the gatekeeper role of the cell membrane.  There may be a dozen different types of materials passing through the membrane of a cell at any one time. The job of the membrane is to regulate this movement in order to maintain the proper balance of ions, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and other molecules. This interactive feature illustrates the movement of some of these materials and describes the structures that make it possible.

4.  Organelles in the Cytoplasm Video (6:06)

Follow up by examining in more detail the organelles located in the cytoplasm. Much like complex organisms with organs that perform specific tasks, cells have many organelles that keep them functioning properly. Explore some of a cell's most important structures in this video segment.

5. Animal and Plant Cell Images

There are some striking differences between plants and animals, especially vertebrate animals. But how different are human cells from the cells of a plant? Students will compare the two images provided.

 

With numerous engaging media activities woven together, it is no wonder these resources were a top hit with California educators last month!

 

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Four Great Sites for Teaching About the Science of Winter Sports

December 12, 2012, 1:46 pm • Posted by Andrea Swensrud
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photo by Arthur Mouratidis/Wikimedia Commons

Winter break is just around the corner! And there's a good chance that some of your students will be watching or participating in winter sports during the break or over the next few months. Engage students with examples of scientific concepts in action! Teach about the science of skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding, ice skating and more with the following multimedia resources.

  1. Science of the Olympic Winter Games (NBC Learn)
    NBC Learn, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, delves into the physics, chemistry and engineering behind various sports of the Winter Olympics. A collection of 16 videos covers topics including the connection between speed skating and Newton's Laws of Motion, the engineering of skis for different ski-based sports and the physics of ski jumping.
  2. Inside the Action (The New York Times)
    This collection of six videos, created for the 2010 Winter Olympics by the New York Times, uses video footage, animation and graphics to break down and analyze various "tricks." Discover how snowboarders, skiers and figure skaters execute their winning moves and runs.
  3. The Science of Hockey (Exploratorium)
    This site from the Exploratorium incorporates video and text to examine the sport of ice hockey. It explores questions like, "Why is ice slippery?," "What's in a puck?" and "How do you hit a puck 100 miles per hour?"
  4. How It's Made: Snowboard (Discovery)
    Learn the process of making a snowboard in this video from Discovery. A great opportunity to investigate the crucial role of science in the manufacturing of materials.
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Do Now #53: Cap-and-Trade for Carbon?

December 11, 2012, 12:10 pm • Posted by Andrea Swensrud
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Credit: Craig Miller


To respond to the Do Now, you can comment below or tweet your response. Be sure to begin your tweet with @KQEDEdspace and end it with #DoNow53

For more info on how to use Twitter, click here.

Do Now

California recently implemented a cap-and-trade program in order to cut carbon emissions. Would a carbon tax be better or worse? What do you think about cap-and-trade? How can companies be best regulated to reduce greenhouse gas pollution?

Introduction

Since the Industrial Revolution, there has been a substantial increase in carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. and countries around the world. The increase is due to human activities, namely the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, industry processes and land-use changes. The additional carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere trap heat and cause the Earth's surface temperatures to rise, also known as the greenhouse effect. To combat climate change, scientists have said that we need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

Last month, California launched its cap-and-trade program. In this program, the government sets a limit on the total amount of allowable carbon emissions from businesses, refineries, manufacturers and power plants. This limit will decline 2-3% each year. Major emitters of greenhouse gases must get permits, known as allowances, for each ton of carbon they emit. Initially, businesses receive most of the allowances from the state for free. Over time, the state also auctions allowances to the highest bidders. As the overall cap on emissions is lowered each year, businesses must continue to obtain allowances equal to their emissions. They can buy unused emission allowances from other companies, or they can sell emission allowances that they may have leftover. So, a company that isn't ready to cut its carbon emissions enough to meet its allowance can buy emissions from other companies that can reduce their emissions.

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PD Module #2: Narrated Slideshows for Science Education (self-paced)

December 11, 2012, 11:40 am • Posted by Matthew Williams
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Today, science demands sophisticated skills not generally taught as part of standard science curricula. Ideally, science instructional strategies teach a body of knowledge and cultivate other abilities required for the practice of science. For example the scientific community values collaboration and teamwork, critical and focused observation, the use of technology for data collection, evaluation of information, and communication skills. All of these skills can be cultivated through the use of media making projects. For this reason, student media-making projects are an excellent way to introduce these 21st century proficiencies.

A good first-step media project to use with students is a narrated slideshow. The programs used to make one are relatively simple and students can either take their own photos or find properly licensed images on the web in addition to using their own voice to narrate the story. KQED has developed a new tool for educators to assist in the understanding of how to create a slideshow as well as the implementation of such a project in the science classroom.

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Strategies for finding a job in the sustainability sector - how did Elena Olmedo work it out?

December 4, 2012, 7:43 am • Posted by Maxine Einhorn
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Michael Pollan has written “The word “sustainability” has gotten such a workout lately that the whole concept is in danger of floating away on a sea of inoffensiveness. Everybody, it seems, is for it whatever it means.”

So what does sustainability mean to you - do you think of solar panels or wind power? Buying food locally? The term is used in relation to environmental management, science, law, consumerism etc. and in so many different contexts, it can be confusing. But essentially sustainability is about sustaining the environment for future generations through forward thinking strategies to solve environmental challenges.  It involves energy conservation, clean and green energy, technology that protects the environment, green building, and socially responsible organizations and employers.

But if you would like to work in some aspect of sustainability, how do you navigate your way through this confusing field and find your own path. Where would you start?

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Do Now Round Up: Nuclear Energy

December 3, 2012, 12:45 pm • Posted by Matthew Williams
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Last month's science Do Now looked at the viability of using nuclear energy as an energy source. We asked students what they think about expanding the use of nuclear energy in California? Here are some of their responses.

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Do Now #43: Nuclear Energy

October 10, 2012, 12:34 am • Posted by Andrea Swensrud
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To respond to the Do Now, you can comment below or tweet your response. Be sure to begin your tweet with @KQEDEdspace and end it with #DoNow43

For more info on how to use Twitter, click here.

Do Now

What do you think about expanding the use of nuclear energy in California? Would you support the development of a new nuclear power plant in our state?

Introduction

Energy sources fit into three main buckets--fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), renewable (e.g. wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, etc.) and nuclear. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by fossil fuels, there is movement toward increasing energy production from alternative sources. So, what about nuclear?

Nuclear energy is derived from the splitting of uranium atoms. In a nuclear reaction, a particle called a neutron hits the nucleus of a uranium atom. This reaction, called fission, breaks the nucleus in two, releasing more neutrons and a lot of heat. This heat can be used to create steam which turns a turbine to generate electricity. The neutrons collide with more uranium atoms, producing a chain reaction, so the process continues. Nuclear fission is very efficient, producing a lot more energy per unit weight than fossil fuel alternatives, with far fewer greenhouse emissions.

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Earthquake! A New eBook and iTunes U Course

September 19, 2012, 9:05 am • Posted by Andrea Swensrud
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KQED and the California Academy of Sciences recently teamed up to produce Earthquake--a new eBook and iTunes U Course. Incorporating multimedia from both organizations, the eBook and course provide an engaging, hands-on way for students and teachers to learn about the science behind earthquakes. Videos, animations, interactive graphics and other classroom-ready materials are woven together to teach about what earthquakes are, and how they move continents, form our landscape, and fit into the larger story of plate tectonics. Learn more about these two new resources!

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