Great Java Simulations for Science Class!

The University of Colorado Boulder has a fabulous site for interactive science simulations.

In one of my favorite simulations, you can create a circuit using light bulbs, wires, resistors, batteries, etc. as well as household items such as a dollar bill and a paper clip. When the circuit works, the light bulbs light...the more resistance, the dimmer the lights.

Loads of other great simulations HERE!

Solar Power

Really cool article about solar panel technology: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/05/solar.roof.atlantic.city/index.html

Reasonably Priced Laser Pointers

I was browsing the internet dreaming of getting a shiny laser pointer :o)

What I stumbled upon made me think about getting one now!!!

Amazon.com's listing of laser pointers is incredible (can be found HERE). I was most impressed that the green lasers, which are usually priced in the hundreds of dollars range due to the expense of manufacturing them, were between $30 and $50!!!

If you're in the market for a laser pointer, check out Amazon.com!!

**Lesson ideas for laser pointers coming soon!

The Color of Light

I saw a great demonstration the other day in class about the color of light. It is similar to a lesson plan found at: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/teachersite/UL1.htm

To begin, my classmates drew two venn diagrams. One had the colors of paint (red, yellow, and blue) and the other had the colors of light (red, green, and blue). We guessed which colors created which new colors (orange, green, purple and yellow, cyan, and magenta, respectively).

Next, they turned on three light bulbs (a red, green, and blue one). All other sources of light was covered and a large white projection screen was against one wall. One classmate put a meter stick in the way of the light and in front of the screen. It was amazing to see the meter stick separated the light into yellow, cyan, and magenta. Then the light bulbs were turned off one at a time. When the red light bulb was turned off, the background of the screen was cyan, while green and blue were separated by the meter stick. Similar results occurred when the green and blue light bulbs were turned off. 

It was just amazing!! Try it at home if you don't believe it :o)