Summer School, Day 7: Solstice, star party, and up too late for a good cause

I got back to my room at 12:57 AM.

Kendia and I suggested we do a dessert potluck and then a star party (telescope viewing) and moon observation.

We met at the Dorm about 7:17 pm and I made Virgin Pina Colada's, Mai Tai, and Margarita's.

I set up two telescopes and binoculars for a waxing gibbous Moon (more than half lit and getting bigger) observation. Venus was bright and also in gibbous phase.  About 10 the party was winding down but a few faithful stayed longer and got great views of the moon.

Then about 11 pm I realized Saturn was up and enjoyed the "Oh my gosh, it really does have rings". I love that comment, it is just the pure joy of discovery.

Some students from Singularity University program/reception came walking through over the next 2 hours. I had amazing talks with Jordan and Joe who work in the fluid dynamics lab and we talked about rocket fuel, hybrid fuel , droplet analysis and ROCKET SCIENCE   OH MY GOSH I'M AT A NASA FACILITY AND AND HAVE CASUAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ROCKET SCIENCE WITH INTERNS WHILE STAR GAZING WAH HOOOO!

One pair of students , Justin from Canada and Tigest (teh-jist)  from Ethiopia (I think)  were really stoked about the Moon and Saturn  and stayed out their for 2 hours.(pictured in the photo)

These two were fun. Back from a formal party/reception they were so appreciative and enthusiastic about the 'scopes and viewing that it was a joy staying out 2 hours past bedtime. Funny, they said I complementary things about me. We were all caught in neat moment, Tigest kept saying how sleep would be totally awesome with the visions of the moon and Saturn still in her minds eye (paraphrase).  Justin and I got in discussion about DNA testing (he is a biotech guy from...let me look at his card...HOLY FRINGGN COW...from Cambridge...England...Newton went there..wow..oh he got to look through my (school's) Newtonian Telescope...how perfect.
And that's what this night was..long..but PERFECT.   (moon photo taken by me by holding an old SONY Mavica 3.5 floppy disk camera to the eyepiece...SINUS IRIDIUM -Bay of Rainbows)

I am so impressed with all the college students, from Fresno to Cambridge, you are our Future and you are looking bright.  I'm glad you got see some heavenly objects tonight because tonight YOU WERE MY SHINING STARS.  Thank you!

YouTube Video of the LATE STAR PARTIERS

Week 37, Day 4: Mixed up lessons and a bad choice.

TGIF

Even block schedule: A different Lesson every period.

Period 2 did the roller coaster lab.They have been a terrific class, both academically and with (not surprising) behavior. This was a lab that I sometimes do in the Force and Motion Unit, but this year it was cut out. I will use it ow where I can.

Period 4 watched a movie, Earth to the Moon part 10: GALILEO WAS RIGHT (You Tube link)

While they watched a movie, I began to take down my model airplanes that hang from the ceiling.

One student decided that the .50 caliber machine gun shell hanging with the model was just too cool and this student stole it. 2 periods later I found out it was gone. This was a kick in the side.  I called in a few students, a name was mentioned along with “..was going to steal it”. By the end of the period I had the model back. I learned: don’t leave something that may be so cool out unattended.

Period 8 watched the end of Galaxy Quest while I tracked down students.  I show the clip pictured below when we talk about the Alkali Metals. Here the Galaxy quest crew is getting a "Beryllium Sphere", which of coarse is a reference to Star Trek's Di Lithium Crystals (an Alkali Earth Metal)

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 34, Day 3: Are other teachers kids nicer than our own students?

Last testing schedule of the year. Then Periods 2 and 4 in the afternoon. Apollo 1 video (see blog w33d3)

Apollo 1 From the Earth to the Moon Clip.

I have so enjoyed the 7th graders that spent some time in my class these past two weeks for testing. This is how it must feel to be a grand parent.

I used the video today to be a time of getting missing work turned in. This is the only time all year that I had period 4 at the end of the day.  I told them if you do not get your work done (ticket out the door) then you do not leave. I HAD TONS OF WORK TURNED IN!

I hope this helps.


Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!


It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 34, Day 2: Planning past testing week

Testing schedule  Period 1 (Apollo 1, see two posts ago) and then Prep to end the day

Apollo 1 From the Earth to the Moon Clip.

Got next weeks assignment sheet completed, The Chemistry Project , put together. This will be a choice for them of either Atom model, Molecule model, High quality poster project, or Element Brochure.More on this next week

Kids at lunch making (from honors sci) shrinking the #6 plastics.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Posted by Richard J. Kinney at 8:06 PM

Week 33, Day 5: Between Testing

Odd block schedule: catch up and video "Apollo 1"

After 3 days of testing schedule we have a regular day. Period 1 is behind in lessons and we got caught up.

Apollo 1 From the Earth to the Moon Clip.

I covered a class for a colleague during my prep.

I decided to show the video: From the Earth to the Moon: part 2-Apollo 1.  It is the story of the forensic investigation into the tragic fire.  I show this because of the chemistry reference.


This week I have been making a power point key for our district's new benchmark chemistry tests.





I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney