Tag: science

October 11, 2012

October 10th, 2012

Dear Scientists,

I was impressed by many of your paper airplane designs yesterday. Today, we’ll try out some more. When we do, we’ll base our changes on hypotheses that we think will happen when we make those changes. What do we need to do to make the plane fly farther or faster or to have a longer airtime? Those are the types of questions scientists ask. As scientist, we’re lucky to have the scientific method to help us. The scientific method is a tried and true method for finding pertinent questions, hypothesizing what we think the answer is, testing the answer, and finally drawing conclusions. We will work through this method today as we design and engineer our airplanes.

Speaking of design, did you see the picture of the new electric motorcycle that a company is working on? It’s a motorcycle with a steel shell and special tires that keep it balance. It gets great mileage, is safer and more comfortable than a typical motorcycle, and has special tires that keep it balanced. And just look at the thing: it’s stinking cool!

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
October 9, 2012

October 8th, 2012

Dear Tablemakers,

A table is a powerful tool for solving problems. By putting our data into a table, we can find patterns. Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to find a rate. Speed is an example of a rate. To calculate speed, we need two measurements–distance and time. When we put these two measurements into a table, we see the relationship between the two.

Today, we’ll practice calculating speed and collecting other types of data. Remember, anytime you see a thing or a phenomenon, your job as a scientist is to ask, “How can I measure this?” and “How can I collect data about this?” If you approach the world with that mindset, the world will open itself up and reveal its most interesting secrets.

There are still a lot of the secrets the world has not revealed to us. We need smart, observant, persistent, and creative scientists to figure them out. I think some of you might be those scientists.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 27, 2012

September 26th, 2012

Dear Innovators,

I saw on the news that California just allowed driverless cars on the roads. That makes it the third state in the country to do so. Can you imagine driving down the road and seeing a car being driving by no one? In just a few years, I think that will be a common sight.

Nowadays, computers and machines do a lot for us, but those computers and machines can only follow instructions humans give them. In the past, humans measured their skills by how well they could handle tools. Now, we measure our skills by how well we can give instructions to those tools. Computers and machines can do amazing things–things we never before thought possible–but we need smart and ingenious designers and programmers to imagine those things. I hope that many of you in this room will be those people.

In order to do that, however, you must have a strong foundation in math and science. That doesn’t mean you have to memorize every single concept we cover in math class, but it does mean that you have to learn to think mathematically. Machines speak in numbers, so you have to have a strong foundation in how numbers work so you can tell those machines all the world-changing things you want them to do.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 12, 2012

September 11th, 2012

Dear Data Collectors,

Yesterday, an atmospheric scientist spoke to the other class about how scientists make reliable observations about weather, specifically precipitation. He showed us a few rain gauges and a hail pad and showed us how to make precise and accurate observations. He came because he needs our help. Because precipitation can vary so much from place to place, scientists need a whole bunch of observations to get a good picture of the weather. Our job is to make daily precipitation observations and record them.

Good observations are the foundation of science. As Harlow Shapley once said, “Theories crumble, but good observations never fade.” People once thought the sun moved around the earth. We now know better, but the observations the ancients made by looking up at the stars are still invaluable to us today. Our most powerful method of understanding the world is creating methods of gathering data, accurately collecting that data, and analyzing it fairly. That’s the method that creates our greatest theories about the world.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck

Tag: science

October 11, 2012

October 9, 2012

September 27, 2012

September 12, 2012