Day two of orientation was slightly more sedated, but it was still pretty overwhelming. I learned a lot more about the fellows today through a great exercise about something that could not be guessed from looking at us. The group contains an avid motorcyclist, a musician, and a "collage-er" among others. While I debated a few "mysteries" about myself, I finally decided to mention the blog! I expected people to ask me about the fun facts but unfortunately they didn't (I'm kind of bummed).
We received some pretty amazing tools for teaching today: a touch screen video camera and a MacBook Pro (don't let my dear sweet little Mac know - it'll be crushed). Though we have to return them to the University after four years, I am so excited to have them! It's amazing how fast a computer that is brand new goes. However, I remain loyal to little Mac who I am currently typing on :)
Off to Detroit tomorrow!
So I realized after the scandium post that we are moving into territories of elements that I haven't even heard about. For less common elements, I'll try to include a section about where these elements are found. After all, we both need to learn something cool from this blog!
Common Occurrences: Vanadium can be found in steel alloys which are used to make tools. You probably have vanadium at home if you own pliers or wrenches. If you're a super fancy craftsperson or carpenter and own router or cordless drill bits, those have vanadium too.
Fun Fact: Some animals have vanadium in their red blood cells instead of iron. This makes their blood red, blue, or green!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Titanium
I had my first day of orientation today...a 9 to 5 supersaturate your minds with facts, information, and other random things affair. It was a pretty great first day...on my way walking in I noticed that the 3 people in front of me were all wearing Birkenstocks - clearly a good omen. For those of you who don't know me too well, I have what some could call a Birki fetish (I own 5 pairs). Things continued to be great when we had to find our "pair" among all of the School of Education graduate students at a lunch function. My "Snow White" was sitting literally two seats down from me (I was the 7 dwarfs) so we ended up winning a free lunch to a place in town. Snow White was pretty cool - he break dances with a group on campus and invited me to their practice so I might go and just take some sweet pictures.
My cohort, originally 14, has dwindled to 12 because of deferments. I am OFFICIALLY the youngest of the bunch, but surprisingly I fit in well with the rest of the group. There is also an older woman who is SO lovely and I really want to get to know her more. We talked a bit at lunch and she is just so kind and motherly (a bit of something I am missing right now being away from the mama).
And Libby would be so proud of me because I came to appreciate Skidmore today. I am thankful for my opportunity to have taken classes in any subject outside of my major. To my professors of Ed Psych, School and Society, and Intro to Teaching - you have no idea how important your classes are to me now.
Fun Fact: Because it is nonrusting, nonallergenic, and extremely strong, titanium is used for artificial joints (ex. hips) and dental implants. This was discovered by accident in 1952 when Swedish doctor Per-Ingvar Branemark was studying bone marrow. He was using a transparent titanium window to see inside of rabbit bones but noticed that the body adapted to the titanium and built it into the bone.
My cohort, originally 14, has dwindled to 12 because of deferments. I am OFFICIALLY the youngest of the bunch, but surprisingly I fit in well with the rest of the group. There is also an older woman who is SO lovely and I really want to get to know her more. We talked a bit at lunch and she is just so kind and motherly (a bit of something I am missing right now being away from the mama).
And Libby would be so proud of me because I came to appreciate Skidmore today. I am thankful for my opportunity to have taken classes in any subject outside of my major. To my professors of Ed Psych, School and Society, and Intro to Teaching - you have no idea how important your classes are to me now.
Fun Fact: Because it is nonrusting, nonallergenic, and extremely strong, titanium is used for artificial joints (ex. hips) and dental implants. This was discovered by accident in 1952 when Swedish doctor Per-Ingvar Branemark was studying bone marrow. He was using a transparent titanium window to see inside of rabbit bones but noticed that the body adapted to the titanium and built it into the bone.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Scandium
Remember that lovely random fact from yesterday about science history? Today's science factoids are linked by birthdays: Happy Birthday Maria Goeppert Mayer and fluorine gas (technically, fluorine wasn't born but it was discovered today).
Maria Goeppert Mayer was the second woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics (the first was Marie Curie) for her discovery of how protons and neutrons arrange themselves in a nucleus. For the less science nerdy, she figured out how so many positive charges could "mingle" in a small, dense part of an atom (we all know opposite charges attract while similar charges repel). To read more about her, you can read the super patronizing Nobel Prize biography or consult the ever reliable Wikipedia.
If you'd like to read more about women in the sciences, check out this New York Times article. I've been holding onto this gem for awhile now, but it's worth the read. The article talks to women at the top about the differences between men and women when it comes to their respective fields.
Fun Fact: An alloy of scandium and aluminum is commonly found in high-end bicycle frames, as it adds strength without adding weight.
Maria Goeppert Mayer was the second woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics (the first was Marie Curie) for her discovery of how protons and neutrons arrange themselves in a nucleus. For the less science nerdy, she figured out how so many positive charges could "mingle" in a small, dense part of an atom (we all know opposite charges attract while similar charges repel). To read more about her, you can read the super patronizing Nobel Prize biography or consult the ever reliable Wikipedia.
If you'd like to read more about women in the sciences, check out this New York Times article. I've been holding onto this gem for awhile now, but it's worth the read. The article talks to women at the top about the differences between men and women when it comes to their respective fields.
Fun Fact: An alloy of scandium and aluminum is commonly found in high-end bicycle frames, as it adds strength without adding weight.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Calcium
I think I've mentioned before that I check some cool (okay strange and weird) sites to find science facts. According to "Today in Science History" nothing of importance happened seeing as they noted the invention of the first pen with truly erasable ink. Apparently there were erasable ink imposters?
Anyway, like science's past, I too have nothing amazing to report back. However there are some weird things I've noticed about Michigan that have finally accumulated to being worthy of a post:
1) I think New York may be the only state that doesn't sell fireworks. Every time we crossed a state border, the first billboard was related to buying fireworks. In Michigan, you can buy fireworks in your local grocery store...
2) Again, I think it's just a growing up in NY thing, but buying wine in a grocery store really loses its appeal. But I guess it remains classy since it's still separated from beer. Nothing says grocery list like wine and fireworks.
3) Clearly I have a grocery store fetish. Cheddar cheese is only that awful yellow/orange color. In the land of dairy, apparently cheddar comes in one color only. I think I'll get worried when mozzarella changes hues.
4) Despite being in dairy country, apparently Michigan's thing is cherries. Who knew?
5) I've mentioned it before, but it's worth mentioning again: robot stores. Though U of M has a strong engineering program, I still don't understand it. On venturing in to the "bot shop" I fed a robot a coin because it was part of a fundraiser for cancer research. The robot burped at me. Is there some science humor that I just don't get?
6) This one is going to be hard to explain, so I'm sorry if you don't get it. If a road butts up to campus and is otherwise blocked by buildings, that same road will continue on the other side of campus. Try following Thayer road in Ann Arbor. You'll lose it when you hit U of M's campus and then if you walked straight through every building you'll pick it up on the other side of campus. Word of the wise: don't let Google maps tell you to follow Thayer Rd.
7) Saxophonists on rooftops. Clearly the man doesn't care about tips.
7.5) Street flutists. There's a first for everything.
So really these aren't actually weird. I'm just sheltered.
Fun Fact: The saying "in the lime light" comes from the reference to the incandescence produced by placing a flame near lime (calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide) to illuminate a theater stage.
Anyway, like science's past, I too have nothing amazing to report back. However there are some weird things I've noticed about Michigan that have finally accumulated to being worthy of a post:
1) I think New York may be the only state that doesn't sell fireworks. Every time we crossed a state border, the first billboard was related to buying fireworks. In Michigan, you can buy fireworks in your local grocery store...
2) Again, I think it's just a growing up in NY thing, but buying wine in a grocery store really loses its appeal. But I guess it remains classy since it's still separated from beer. Nothing says grocery list like wine and fireworks.
3) Clearly I have a grocery store fetish. Cheddar cheese is only that awful yellow/orange color. In the land of dairy, apparently cheddar comes in one color only. I think I'll get worried when mozzarella changes hues.
4) Despite being in dairy country, apparently Michigan's thing is cherries. Who knew?
5) I've mentioned it before, but it's worth mentioning again: robot stores. Though U of M has a strong engineering program, I still don't understand it. On venturing in to the "bot shop" I fed a robot a coin because it was part of a fundraiser for cancer research. The robot burped at me. Is there some science humor that I just don't get?
6) This one is going to be hard to explain, so I'm sorry if you don't get it. If a road butts up to campus and is otherwise blocked by buildings, that same road will continue on the other side of campus. Try following Thayer road in Ann Arbor. You'll lose it when you hit U of M's campus and then if you walked straight through every building you'll pick it up on the other side of campus. Word of the wise: don't let Google maps tell you to follow Thayer Rd.
7) Saxophonists on rooftops. Clearly the man doesn't care about tips.
7.5) Street flutists. There's a first for everything.
So really these aren't actually weird. I'm just sheltered.
Fun Fact: The saying "in the lime light" comes from the reference to the incandescence produced by placing a flame near lime (calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide) to illuminate a theater stage.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Potassium
You've heard about sodium in water (for those of you that haven't, here's a hint: KABOOM!), but did you know that potassium also violently reacts with water? Potassium is highly reactive and to demonstrate, check out what happens to this poor gummy bear when exposed to potassium chlorate:
I've seen this done two or three times in person and watched it online a zillion times and it just never gets old.
As for stories from the Midwest, I do have a funny. I've been told that by moving out to the Midwest, I was going to be exposed to the "marriage virus" where people inexplicably meet and settle down...apparently it's the "Midwest thing." Don't get me wrong, there are certainly gorgeous guys here, many of whom (who? whom?) run shirtless or ride tricked out road bikes. However, my only interactions with men have been men in their late forties or men lacking teeth (here's to being a trophy wife...I guess).
While walking to the Artisan's Market (Farmer's Market minus the food plus the crafts), a man in his late forties let me pet his dog. Mind you the dog was ugly, but it was a puppy and it went gangbusters sniffing my ankle so I gave it a pat. Without even uttering a word to the man, he goes into this five minute lecture about the dog. I wanted to be like "really sir, I don't care," but as I've learned "Midwest etiquette" (listen, smile, nod, and then say something kind), I faked a smile and told him the dog was a real gem.
At the Artisan's Market, I headed toward the wooden spoon guy who was toting left-handed spoons. My curiosity was killing me: what the h*** is a left handed spoon and how does it make any difference? Apparently it does. But in my haste to get there, I got snagged by a little old man lacking most of his teeth who decided that he would sell me a candle. No way, Jose. Not falling for your "lure the young girl in" tactics. Needless to say, after smelling about 10 candles, I got away with my life and my wallet full.
Here's to you "marriage virus." Is there a vaccine?
Fun Fact: Bananas are radioactive (KEEP READING). Bananas contain potassium, which has a radioactive isotope (same number of protons, different number of neutrons). BUT only one hundredth of one percent of ALL potassium atoms are radioactive. Bottom line: keep eating bananas.
I've seen this done two or three times in person and watched it online a zillion times and it just never gets old.
As for stories from the Midwest, I do have a funny. I've been told that by moving out to the Midwest, I was going to be exposed to the "marriage virus" where people inexplicably meet and settle down...apparently it's the "Midwest thing." Don't get me wrong, there are certainly gorgeous guys here, many of whom (who? whom?) run shirtless or ride tricked out road bikes. However, my only interactions with men have been men in their late forties or men lacking teeth (here's to being a trophy wife...I guess).
While walking to the Artisan's Market (Farmer's Market minus the food plus the crafts), a man in his late forties let me pet his dog. Mind you the dog was ugly, but it was a puppy and it went gangbusters sniffing my ankle so I gave it a pat. Without even uttering a word to the man, he goes into this five minute lecture about the dog. I wanted to be like "really sir, I don't care," but as I've learned "Midwest etiquette" (listen, smile, nod, and then say something kind), I faked a smile and told him the dog was a real gem.
At the Artisan's Market, I headed toward the wooden spoon guy who was toting left-handed spoons. My curiosity was killing me: what the h*** is a left handed spoon and how does it make any difference? Apparently it does. But in my haste to get there, I got snagged by a little old man lacking most of his teeth who decided that he would sell me a candle. No way, Jose. Not falling for your "lure the young girl in" tactics. Needless to say, after smelling about 10 candles, I got away with my life and my wallet full.
Here's to you "marriage virus." Is there a vaccine?
Fun Fact: Bananas are radioactive (KEEP READING). Bananas contain potassium, which has a radioactive isotope (same number of protons, different number of neutrons). BUT only one hundredth of one percent of ALL potassium atoms are radioactive. Bottom line: keep eating bananas.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Argon
Finally, internet in the apartment (thanks baby sister)!! And because I have it in a fast and unlimited supply, I thought I would do a science-y post today. Enjoy this video about argon...you'll like the "mad scientist" who appears about 25 seconds in. I recently found this YouTube channel and though the argon video is not their best, I thought I would at least introduce my newest addiction.
Because argon is a noble gas and therefore has very few interesting tidbits (it doesn't react/interact with much of anything) I want to jump back to chlorine. In my haste of putting up a post about exploring Ann Arbor, I completely forgot that I've been waiting to highlight chlorine since my lithium post.
Though chlorine can be used for a great many things (salt, bleach, etc.), it can also be lethal (poison gas in WWI) and harmful to humans and the environment. To the upstate New Yorkers out there, I hope we all know about the dilemma with the Hudson River, but did you know that the problem deals with chlorine?? PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a type of organic compound that is extremely difficult to breakdown, which is why GE used them in capacitors and such. The more chlorine atoms a molecule of PCB has, the greater resistance it has to being broken down (and also the more toxic/lethal it is). The problem with PCBs in the water is that they don't go away: while PCBs settle into the sediment at the bottom of the river, the constant flow also keeps them in the water. And being the sneaky little molecules that they are, PCBs can diffuse through skin, which is why you shouldn't eat fish or swim in the Hudson, unless you want to increase your odds of getting cancer.
This video is heartbreaking isn't it? The woman never thought about what she was exposing her children to by letting them swim in the river...it's just terrible to even think about. Click on the links below for more information!
Hudson River dredging
Michigan study
Fun Fact: Wine snob? To prevent wine from oxidizing, you can buy disposable cylinders of argon to top off the bottle. Because argon does not react with anything, the wine is protected from any air that might enter the bottle.
Because argon is a noble gas and therefore has very few interesting tidbits (it doesn't react/interact with much of anything) I want to jump back to chlorine. In my haste of putting up a post about exploring Ann Arbor, I completely forgot that I've been waiting to highlight chlorine since my lithium post.
Though chlorine can be used for a great many things (salt, bleach, etc.), it can also be lethal (poison gas in WWI) and harmful to humans and the environment. To the upstate New Yorkers out there, I hope we all know about the dilemma with the Hudson River, but did you know that the problem deals with chlorine?? PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a type of organic compound that is extremely difficult to breakdown, which is why GE used them in capacitors and such. The more chlorine atoms a molecule of PCB has, the greater resistance it has to being broken down (and also the more toxic/lethal it is). The problem with PCBs in the water is that they don't go away: while PCBs settle into the sediment at the bottom of the river, the constant flow also keeps them in the water. And being the sneaky little molecules that they are, PCBs can diffuse through skin, which is why you shouldn't eat fish or swim in the Hudson, unless you want to increase your odds of getting cancer.
While GE is currently trying to solve this MASSIVE problem, dredging is not the best solution. PCBs that have settled into the sediment are stirred up again when heavy machinery digs up the polluted dirt. PCBs that are released from dredging float downstream and ultimately spread the problem farther down the Hudson River. And get this: the sediment dug up from the Hudson is not actually "cleaned." It is instead transported to a remote location in Texas and left there. Essentially the problem is moved to another location and forgotten about.
While looking for videos on the Hudson River dredging, I also found one about dioxins in a river in Michigan. Dioxins are another type of organic molecule, but once again they have chlorine, which makes them extremely stable and extremely toxic. University of Michigan (woo woo!) did a study on the Tittabawassee River, which has a high level of dioxins, to look at the levels of dioxins in locals bloodstreams. Like PCBs, dioxins are cancer-causing.
This video is heartbreaking isn't it? The woman never thought about what she was exposing her children to by letting them swim in the river...it's just terrible to even think about. Click on the links below for more information!
Hudson River dredging
Michigan study
Fun Fact: Wine snob? To prevent wine from oxidizing, you can buy disposable cylinders of argon to top off the bottle. Because argon does not react with anything, the wine is protected from any air that might enter the bottle.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Chlorine
The best cure for homesickness? A visit from a best friend!
Geneva and I spent ALL day yesterday walking around Ann Arbor and enjoying the sites and sounds. We went to the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology which kept me entertained with a mummy while little miss Anthropology major drooled over the collection.
No trip would be complete without a trip to Zingermans...a business owned by a U of M grad. It's absolutely delicious! Zingerman's is most famous for their reuben sandwiches and has a plethora of flavors of bacon (I should also mention that I am completely enthralled by their chocolate chunk sourdough bread).
We also spent some time around campus and went to one of my favorite destinations: the cube. It is a giant piece that rotates when a forceful push gets it into motion. While we were there a kid got it moving and sped it up by pushing it while riding his bike: most impressive!
Trivia Answer: Salt, bleach, and stomach acid all contain chlorine! Salt is sodium chloride, bleach is sodium hypochlorite, and stomach acid is hydrochloric acid.
Fun Fact: During World War I, chlorine was used as a poison gas in trench warfare. Unfortunately it had negative consequences for both sides. Despite releasing the gas when the wind blew toward the enemy line, both the enemy and the side using chlorine gas were killed in equal amounts due to the laws of diffusion.
Geneva and I spent ALL day yesterday walking around Ann Arbor and enjoying the sites and sounds. We went to the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology which kept me entertained with a mummy while little miss Anthropology major drooled over the collection.
No trip would be complete without a trip to Zingermans...a business owned by a U of M grad. It's absolutely delicious! Zingerman's is most famous for their reuben sandwiches and has a plethora of flavors of bacon (I should also mention that I am completely enthralled by their chocolate chunk sourdough bread).
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| A "small" PPP which ended up being lunch and dinner. |
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| Someone was clearly happy about her sandwich :) |
Trivia Answer: Salt, bleach, and stomach acid all contain chlorine! Salt is sodium chloride, bleach is sodium hypochlorite, and stomach acid is hydrochloric acid.
Fun Fact: During World War I, chlorine was used as a poison gas in trench warfare. Unfortunately it had negative consequences for both sides. Despite releasing the gas when the wind blew toward the enemy line, both the enemy and the side using chlorine gas were killed in equal amounts due to the laws of diffusion.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sulfur
Happy Birthday Dad!!
Checked out the Farmer's Market this morning and it's really nice but as Farmer's Markets go also extremely expensive. But the strawberries smelled amazing and had I not been walking around all day I probably would have taken flats of them home.
AA has some extremely strange shops around downtown. There is the Birkenstock and mattress store (my personal favorite), a robot store (as in sells robots and robot parts - I had no idea there was such a market) and a shop devoted completely to cherries. Weird.
Bike shopping this afternoon to find a cruiser and then Geneva comes!!!! Best way to solve a major bout of homesickness.
Trivia: What do these 3 things have in common: Morton's salt, Clorox bleach, and stomach acid? The answer will be posted tomorrow!
Fun Fact: The smell of rotten eggs, garlic, and onions are all due to sulfur-containing compounds.
Checked out the Farmer's Market this morning and it's really nice but as Farmer's Markets go also extremely expensive. But the strawberries smelled amazing and had I not been walking around all day I probably would have taken flats of them home.
AA has some extremely strange shops around downtown. There is the Birkenstock and mattress store (my personal favorite), a robot store (as in sells robots and robot parts - I had no idea there was such a market) and a shop devoted completely to cherries. Weird.
Bike shopping this afternoon to find a cruiser and then Geneva comes!!!! Best way to solve a major bout of homesickness.
Trivia: What do these 3 things have in common: Morton's salt, Clorox bleach, and stomach acid? The answer will be posted tomorrow!
Fun Fact: The smell of rotten eggs, garlic, and onions are all due to sulfur-containing compounds.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Phosphorus
If you've been waiting for the "T" in my STEM title, here's the first post. After a harrowing drive (crazy downpour/thunderstorm, getting lost in downtown Detroit, etc.), I finally got to the testing center to take my certification exam to teach in Michigan. Though I cannot discuss the details of the exam (signed waivers and a lawyer sister who would not appreciate me if I did such), I can comment on how frightening it is that an eighth grader of average intelligence could pass this exam. I was given approximately 5 hours to complete an exam with under 100 questions on basic math and reading and write a 300-600 word essay. Maybe because I've only been away from academia for about a month and a half did this seem easy, but I finished in under 3 hours. I took sooooo much time on the writing because it's not my strongest, but I finished the math section in literally 15 minutes.
If the educational world is currently worried about ineffective teachers, maybe they should reevaluate how easy it is to become a teacher. In many public schools, certification and a masters degree is not even required to be hired...they can be obtained along the way. It's scary to think about, but before I begin a soapbox tirade, I'll stop because I'm sure there will be plenty more posts about this.
Needless to say, I passed. Go me.
Historical Reference: There are different forms of pure phosphorus which range in stability. The most stable red phosphorus is found on match heads while the most unstable is white phosphorus. White phosphorus is responsible for burning people driven outside during the great firestorms of WWII after magnesium incendiary bombs leveled buildings.
Fun Fact: Like nitrogen, phosphorus is commonly found in fertilizers. While it was once the limiting factor for the growth of crops (and life on earth), industrial production of phosphorus containing fertilizers have turned water into the limiting factor for life on earth.
If the educational world is currently worried about ineffective teachers, maybe they should reevaluate how easy it is to become a teacher. In many public schools, certification and a masters degree is not even required to be hired...they can be obtained along the way. It's scary to think about, but before I begin a soapbox tirade, I'll stop because I'm sure there will be plenty more posts about this.
Needless to say, I passed. Go me.
Historical Reference: There are different forms of pure phosphorus which range in stability. The most stable red phosphorus is found on match heads while the most unstable is white phosphorus. White phosphorus is responsible for burning people driven outside during the great firestorms of WWII after magnesium incendiary bombs leveled buildings.
Fun Fact: Like nitrogen, phosphorus is commonly found in fertilizers. While it was once the limiting factor for the growth of crops (and life on earth), industrial production of phosphorus containing fertilizers have turned water into the limiting factor for life on earth.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Silicon
Finally here! However, I am without internet in my apartment after finding out that I need an ethernet cord...things of the past my friends...things of the past. Anyway, I'm sitting in a Starbucks (which are on EVERY corner here) and am stealing their wifi. I guess it's not stealing if it's free, right?
This little midwest city is amazing! I promise to post pictures as soon as I can/as soon as I remember where I put my good camera. Everyone is super friendly so for small town me it's perfect. My landlord gave me a reusable bag full of events and happenings in Ann Arbor and has left me an open invitation to join her for dinner :)
Took the Dad and the Mom here for Father's Day dinner last night. I had previously gone the first time I visited Ann Arbor and it was DELICIOUS. The restaurant is also really cool - it has a barnwood interior with old tractor fronts mounted on the wall. It also has a little microbrewery in house which according to the Dad had a pretty nice brew.
We had a great dinner last night, which got even greater as the night went on. We were sitting in a long line of tables which people kept moving from to sit closer to the bar or outside because it was such a nice night. After about twenty minutes of being at the restaurant the manager came out and asked us if we would move because they wanted to put the table together for a large group of diners. With it being "such an inconvenience" to us (we didn't even have our food so it wasn't a problem) we were offered appetizers on the house to move our seats. Those beer battered onion rings and pulled pork quesadilla have never tasted better :) Happy (belated) Father's Day Dad!
Fun Fact: You're using silicon as you read this as it is one of the primary components of computer chips!
This little midwest city is amazing! I promise to post pictures as soon as I can/as soon as I remember where I put my good camera. Everyone is super friendly so for small town me it's perfect. My landlord gave me a reusable bag full of events and happenings in Ann Arbor and has left me an open invitation to join her for dinner :)
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| Image from Google (my lawyer sister yelled at me for previous "picture stealing") |
We had a great dinner last night, which got even greater as the night went on. We were sitting in a long line of tables which people kept moving from to sit closer to the bar or outside because it was such a nice night. After about twenty minutes of being at the restaurant the manager came out and asked us if we would move because they wanted to put the table together for a large group of diners. With it being "such an inconvenience" to us (we didn't even have our food so it wasn't a problem) we were offered appetizers on the house to move our seats. Those beer battered onion rings and pulled pork quesadilla have never tasted better :) Happy (belated) Father's Day Dad!
Fun Fact: You're using silicon as you read this as it is one of the primary components of computer chips!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Aluminum
It's tough to say goodbye when Lake Placid has made me look like a pro photographer. But, no regrets. Time to move on. It'll probably be a two or three day hiatus before the next post (I know...so long...HA) but look for some pictures from the new hometown!
Historical Reference: When pure aluminum was first produced, it was considered a noble metal alongside gold and silver. It was so "fancy" that Napoleon III served his most important guests on aluminum plates. "Ordinary" guests suffered through having to eat on gold. (Next time I have a fancy dinner party, I'm breaking out the aluminum foil ;) )
Fun Fact: Consumers and industry in the United States throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the entire fleet of American commercial airplanes EVERY 3 months. Learn from this and RECYCLE!
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| Summit of Pitchoff Mt. |
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| Summit of Hurricane Mt. |
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| Marcy Dam |
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| Public Beach Dock |
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| Heidi on Balanced Rocks |
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| My dear, sweet Brodie Bear |
Historical Reference: When pure aluminum was first produced, it was considered a noble metal alongside gold and silver. It was so "fancy" that Napoleon III served his most important guests on aluminum plates. "Ordinary" guests suffered through having to eat on gold. (Next time I have a fancy dinner party, I'm breaking out the aluminum foil ;) )
Fun Fact: Consumers and industry in the United States throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the entire fleet of American commercial airplanes EVERY 3 months. Learn from this and RECYCLE!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Magnesium
Is it too early to reflect on my blogging experience with only 12 posts? I have learned MORE than I expected about chemistry finding the daily fun fact and I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I have. I have also come across some really cool websites and videos that I will continue to share with you in the coming posts. I have greater respect for YouTube and Google after less than two weeks of posting.
The big move is now less than two days away (Saturday!). We are stopping in Erie, PA to split up the 12 hour drive (the Great Lakes are probably the biggest imposition I have ever run into). I am almost all packed - no more clothes in my dresser, everything in suitcases in my bedroom, and boxes leading down the hallway from my bedroom. Eek!
Woo hoo!! This post completes a periodic table clock (yes, I am a geek). Now you can tell a friend you'll meet them at half past fluorine...I'm sure they will really think that you are a winner.
Fun Fact: Magnesium is extremely flammable; so flammable that early photograph flashes were nothing more than a rubber bulb that blew magnesium powder into a candle flame.
The big move is now less than two days away (Saturday!). We are stopping in Erie, PA to split up the 12 hour drive (the Great Lakes are probably the biggest imposition I have ever run into). I am almost all packed - no more clothes in my dresser, everything in suitcases in my bedroom, and boxes leading down the hallway from my bedroom. Eek!
Fun Fact: Magnesium is extremely flammable; so flammable that early photograph flashes were nothing more than a rubber bulb that blew magnesium powder into a candle flame.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sodium
The next few days will be pretty hectic, so I can't promise too many posts. As for today, nothing too exciting. I got my car checked over for the second time before leaving after a mysterious squealing noise appeared yesterday. I'm starting to think paranoia is setting in because the mechanics couldn't find anything wrong minus a small bit of power steering fluid needed.
Google has kindly informed me of a total lunar eclipse that took place today, so I suggest you check it out to read about it. It's really cool, you won't regret it. Though not specifically chemistry, it's still science-y, which I will always promote. More chemistry related, it's the 259th anniversary of Ben Franklin discovering electricity!
Trivia Answer: Lithium and sodium are the only two metals that can float on water, though both violently react with it.
Fun Fact: Pure elemental sodium (metal) is so soft it can be cut with a butter knife.
Google has kindly informed me of a total lunar eclipse that took place today, so I suggest you check it out to read about it. It's really cool, you won't regret it. Though not specifically chemistry, it's still science-y, which I will always promote. More chemistry related, it's the 259th anniversary of Ben Franklin discovering electricity!
Trivia Answer: Lithium and sodium are the only two metals that can float on water, though both violently react with it.
Fun Fact: Pure elemental sodium (metal) is so soft it can be cut with a butter knife.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Neon
Today's thought: I should have grabbed my camera before walking out the door.
Rose and I spent some quality time together before she leaves for China (tomorrow) by sifting through thrift stores. Truth be told: I have never actually been into any of the local thrift stores to shop for clothing but was mildly impressed with the selection after today. While my only purchase was a buttery soft braided leather belt, Rose hit the jackpot. I convinced her to buy the most beautiful knee-high Italian leather boots though it wasn't too hard to sway her. She also found some great dresses and super cute belts!
The end of the week is the big move. I'm freaked out, excited, nervous, anxious, anticipatory, etc. It's crazy to think that summer is pretty much over already...where did it go?
Fun Fact: The only neon lights that contain neon are orange and red.
Rose and I spent some quality time together before she leaves for China (tomorrow) by sifting through thrift stores. Truth be told: I have never actually been into any of the local thrift stores to shop for clothing but was mildly impressed with the selection after today. While my only purchase was a buttery soft braided leather belt, Rose hit the jackpot. I convinced her to buy the most beautiful knee-high Italian leather boots though it wasn't too hard to sway her. She also found some great dresses and super cute belts!
The end of the week is the big move. I'm freaked out, excited, nervous, anxious, anticipatory, etc. It's crazy to think that summer is pretty much over already...where did it go?
Fun Fact: The only neon lights that contain neon are orange and red.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Fluorine
Graduation party post! Thanks to all who attended - it was great to see so many people that mean so much to me! There were a great number of memorable moments for which I'm still giggling, so I think the party can be deemed a success :) Here is a picture of the cake and some of the funnier presents received:
And yes, as the title goes, that is my first chemistry kit. It has a little microscope that came with it, which took me over an hour to figure out how to put it together. What I shouldn't share is that the microscope came in 3 pieces - clearly I am not an engineer nor do I have the brain capacity to understand that things slide instead of snap together...Also perfectly fitting is the periodic table of elements mug. I urge all of you to get it if you don't want to remain in suspense for the title of my next post (or if you want to kick Sporcle's butt while drinking your morning coffee).
As for today, I can't even begin to explain how AMAZING it is to have both of my besties home!! Granted Heidi is only home for 24 hours and Rose 48 hours, but seeing them before the Midwest journey made my day, week, month, year!!!
We spent some quality time together in town with a walk around the lake, a lunch at the most delicious deli with sandwiches named after the 46 high peaks in the ADKs, and some tomfoolery with another friend from high school (which included a photo shoot on the beach dock). There are certain summer staples that I've been squeezing in while Heidi and Rose are home because they're not the same without the fun and laughter.
Here are some more pictures from the day including some very classy outtakes:
Fun Fact: Teflon, a polymer of carbon and fluorine, was discovered by accident in a lab that was trying to synthesize refrigerants. It is found in suture needles, Gore-tex, and non-stick frying pans.
And yes, as the title goes, that is my first chemistry kit. It has a little microscope that came with it, which took me over an hour to figure out how to put it together. What I shouldn't share is that the microscope came in 3 pieces - clearly I am not an engineer nor do I have the brain capacity to understand that things slide instead of snap together...Also perfectly fitting is the periodic table of elements mug. I urge all of you to get it if you don't want to remain in suspense for the title of my next post (or if you want to kick Sporcle's butt while drinking your morning coffee).
As for today, I can't even begin to explain how AMAZING it is to have both of my besties home!! Granted Heidi is only home for 24 hours and Rose 48 hours, but seeing them before the Midwest journey made my day, week, month, year!!!
We spent some quality time together in town with a walk around the lake, a lunch at the most delicious deli with sandwiches named after the 46 high peaks in the ADKs, and some tomfoolery with another friend from high school (which included a photo shoot on the beach dock). There are certain summer staples that I've been squeezing in while Heidi and Rose are home because they're not the same without the fun and laughter.
Here are some more pictures from the day including some very classy outtakes:
Fun Fact: Teflon, a polymer of carbon and fluorine, was discovered by accident in a lab that was trying to synthesize refrigerants. It is found in suture needles, Gore-tex, and non-stick frying pans.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Oxygen
I promise to do a post about the graduation party tomorrow, but today I thought I would feature my event packed day (HAHA - all two events). After the Momma's famous Belgian waffles for breakfast, I spent the day with a good friend from the high school glory days and hit up a favorite ice cream stand. I can't stress enough how AMAZING the ice cream is there. It's a shack on the side of the road with one flavor a day (always twisted with vanilla) and an ice cream machine circa 900 B.C. (okay obviously this is a giant exaggeration but it's freaking old).
We lucked out today as the flavor was chocolate. Last summer, my only trip to this famed ice cream stand the flavor was banana, a choice worse than being friends with Charlie Sheen. Not the perfect day for ice cream as it was overcast and rainy but as Donnelly's is only open on weekends for now, it was a must-have before leaving for the Midwest.
After the ice cream sojourn, we stopped to watch some friends "throw down" in a bike race. It was a pretty great race to watch - lots of laps so many times to spectate. We unfortunately missed a sweet crash after moving from a hot corner, but alas it was a great time. Sunshine and blue skies, not something I've seen for awhile.
Our friend is the super fast blur rocking the skin suit on the right in the second picture. Nice job today R. Short!!
And now time for some of the outtakes and funny pictures from today.
Colin clearly LOVES Donnelly's ice cream (Sorry Col!).
This cutie (note: sarcasm) was stretching while spectating at the race today. We unfortunately missed the extent of his stretching but my 26x zoom came in handy for capturing creepy pictures.
Fun Fact: At -183 degrees Celsius (-297.4 degrees Fahrenheit), oxygen is a pale blue liquid.
We lucked out today as the flavor was chocolate. Last summer, my only trip to this famed ice cream stand the flavor was banana, a choice worse than being friends with Charlie Sheen. Not the perfect day for ice cream as it was overcast and rainy but as Donnelly's is only open on weekends for now, it was a must-have before leaving for the Midwest.
After the ice cream sojourn, we stopped to watch some friends "throw down" in a bike race. It was a pretty great race to watch - lots of laps so many times to spectate. We unfortunately missed a sweet crash after moving from a hot corner, but alas it was a great time. Sunshine and blue skies, not something I've seen for awhile.
Our friend is the super fast blur rocking the skin suit on the right in the second picture. Nice job today R. Short!!
And now time for some of the outtakes and funny pictures from today.
Colin clearly LOVES Donnelly's ice cream (Sorry Col!).
This cutie (note: sarcasm) was stretching while spectating at the race today. We unfortunately missed the extent of his stretching but my 26x zoom came in handy for capturing creepy pictures.
Fun Fact: At -183 degrees Celsius (-297.4 degrees Fahrenheit), oxygen is a pale blue liquid.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Nitrogen
Short post today. Family is coming into town and my parents are hosting a super late graduation/slightly early send-off barbeque for yours truly tomorrow. Enjoy these liquid nitrogen videos - they are a blast (literally)!!
Fun Fact: The Haber Process converts gaseous nitrogen (which is inert/"useless" for humans) to ammonia that can be used in fertilizers. This process was developed during WWI for use in chemical warfare but won the Nobel Prize because it greatly impacted agriculture. Without the Haber Process, we would be unable to sustain the growth of food necessary for our population.
Fun Fact: The Haber Process converts gaseous nitrogen (which is inert/"useless" for humans) to ammonia that can be used in fertilizers. This process was developed during WWI for use in chemical warfare but won the Nobel Prize because it greatly impacted agriculture. Without the Haber Process, we would be unable to sustain the growth of food necessary for our population.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Carbon
You are totally allowed to think that my life is boring. With no friends home for the summer and me leaving in a little over a week, my life has been packing (kind of) and spending quality time with the dog. So again, it'll be a fun blog post day rather than an all about my life day.
For starters, I hope ALL of you read the Science Times in the NY Times (actually I don't expect many or any of you, but it's available every Tuesday). I accidentally forgot about it this week until Wednesday but to my luck, the website had posted a new article yesterday so all is not lost. And that new article is super chemistry related because elements 114 and 116 were added to the periodic table!!! (Though they already had placeholders on the periodic table, they had not been synthesized until now.)
The weather today is terrible here, so if that's the case for you, take some time to do this following activity. We know about carbon from pencils and diamonds, but do you know that carbon is everywhere around you? Try to list more than 10 things in your home that contain carbon (hint: there are infinitely many so if you are super bored, you can spend the whole day doing this). I'll start you out:
1) vinegar
2) cast iron skillet
3) antacid tablets
4) carbonated beverages
5) plastic bags
6) baseball bats (carbon nanotubes)
7) asparagus
8) gasoline
9) jeans
10) you!
Fun Fact: Graphene, a honeycomb lattice of carbon, has been heralded as the strongest material ever measured as it is 200 times stronger than steel. A layer of graphene the thickness of Saran Wrap would be punctured if an elephant was balancing on a pencil. If this was extrapolated to a tyrannosaurus rex, the thickness of graphene would be 1.5 times the thickness of Saran Wrap.
For starters, I hope ALL of you read the Science Times in the NY Times (actually I don't expect many or any of you, but it's available every Tuesday). I accidentally forgot about it this week until Wednesday but to my luck, the website had posted a new article yesterday so all is not lost. And that new article is super chemistry related because elements 114 and 116 were added to the periodic table!!! (Though they already had placeholders on the periodic table, they had not been synthesized until now.)
The weather today is terrible here, so if that's the case for you, take some time to do this following activity. We know about carbon from pencils and diamonds, but do you know that carbon is everywhere around you? Try to list more than 10 things in your home that contain carbon (hint: there are infinitely many so if you are super bored, you can spend the whole day doing this). I'll start you out:
1) vinegar
2) cast iron skillet
3) antacid tablets
4) carbonated beverages
5) plastic bags
6) baseball bats (carbon nanotubes)
7) asparagus
8) gasoline
9) jeans
10) you!
Fun Fact: Graphene, a honeycomb lattice of carbon, has been heralded as the strongest material ever measured as it is 200 times stronger than steel. A layer of graphene the thickness of Saran Wrap would be punctured if an elephant was balancing on a pencil. If this was extrapolated to a tyrannosaurus rex, the thickness of graphene would be 1.5 times the thickness of Saran Wrap.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Boron
One of the greatest things about science is being able to experiment. After finding the fun fact for Boron, it made me think of all of the ridiculous videos I've seen of "experiments." The great thing about these videos is that they are eye-catching but are super relatable to basic chemical principals.
You'll find some videos about Silly Putty (including an original commercial) and my favorite video about Diet Coke and Mentos (with an explanation of what happens by MythBusters). Enjoy!
Fun Fact: Boron is in Silly Putty! It is critical for cross-linking the polymers that make up Silly Putty and allows it to be both soft and moldable in your hand yet hard and bouncy when you throw it against a wall.
You'll find some videos about Silly Putty (including an original commercial) and my favorite video about Diet Coke and Mentos (with an explanation of what happens by MythBusters). Enjoy!
Fun Fact: Boron is in Silly Putty! It is critical for cross-linking the polymers that make up Silly Putty and allows it to be both soft and moldable in your hand yet hard and bouncy when you throw it against a wall.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Beryllium
So I mentioned in a past post that I've been making my own skirts and here they are!!
How do they look? Any favorites? If you want to make your own skirt or if you are interested as to how I made mine, check out this blog: http://whatwouldanerdwear.blogspot.com/
Fun Fact: The mineral beryl is a crystalline form of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate and is the primary component of aquamarine and emeralds!
Fun Fact: The mineral beryl is a crystalline form of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate and is the primary component of aquamarine and emeralds!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lithium
So I have nothing new and exciting to share from the home turf, my apologies. So in an attempt to make science super cool and interesting, I thought I would take some time to blog about the title element for today: lithium.
As you'll notice from the trivia question below, lithium is a pretty interesting metal. It is also widely used in everyday life; it is found in rechargeable batteries and hybrid/electric cars. But with our increasing concerns about global warming and fossil fuel consumption, lithium has become a popular topic in the news. With a new "race for lithium" the U.S. is trying to acquire lithium to keep up with the electric and hybrid car market surging in Asia (cough...Prius...cough).
Here's the kicker: if electric cars are to take off for real this time (recall the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?), then the U.S. will become dependent on lithium reserves in South America (doesn't that sound eerily familiar to our current dependency on foreign oil?). Over half of the lithium reserves are found in Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. As for the U.S., there is a small reserve in Nevada, but that's about it.
Something crazy to think about. Possibly something to bring up the next time someone groans that there is nothing interesting about science or that science is unrelated to the "real world."
P. S. I hope you enjoy the links in the article...I think I got a bit too soapbox-y, but this was a super cool topic to write about!
Trivia: There are only two metals that can float on water. Can you guess which ones? (Hint: You'll find out the answer in post #11).
Fun Fact: While lithium is most commonly known for rechargeable batteries, it is also used as medication to control mood swings in individuals with bipolar disorder (in an attempt to not lead you astray, the pills are composed of lithium carbonate so don't go chomp on a piece of lithium metal if you're feeling moody :) ).
As you'll notice from the trivia question below, lithium is a pretty interesting metal. It is also widely used in everyday life; it is found in rechargeable batteries and hybrid/electric cars. But with our increasing concerns about global warming and fossil fuel consumption, lithium has become a popular topic in the news. With a new "race for lithium" the U.S. is trying to acquire lithium to keep up with the electric and hybrid car market surging in Asia (cough...Prius...cough).
Here's the kicker: if electric cars are to take off for real this time (recall the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?), then the U.S. will become dependent on lithium reserves in South America (doesn't that sound eerily familiar to our current dependency on foreign oil?). Over half of the lithium reserves are found in Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. As for the U.S., there is a small reserve in Nevada, but that's about it.
Something crazy to think about. Possibly something to bring up the next time someone groans that there is nothing interesting about science or that science is unrelated to the "real world."
P. S. I hope you enjoy the links in the article...I think I got a bit too soapbox-y, but this was a super cool topic to write about!
Trivia: There are only two metals that can float on water. Can you guess which ones? (Hint: You'll find out the answer in post #11).
Fun Fact: While lithium is most commonly known for rechargeable batteries, it is also used as medication to control mood swings in individuals with bipolar disorder (in an attempt to not lead you astray, the pills are composed of lithium carbonate so don't go chomp on a piece of lithium metal if you're feeling moody :) ).
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Helium
On an extremely nerdy side, this blog has lasted longer than a physicist who studies quantum mechanics (for those who claim to be less geeky: quantum mechanics falls apart after one).
I have finally forced myself to jump on the packing bandwagon and make a sizable dent in packing/repacking my room. What I came home from college with is nothing compared to what I am taking to the Midwest. The addition of furniture and a full kitchen seems to add quite a few boxes. My biggest realization from this packing nightmare is how lucky I was to go to a college that was fairly close to home. Not so much anymore. Packing winter coats and skis in June is surreal.
On a different note, I started making my own skirts!! Ask anyone about my picky-ness when it comes to skirts - they have to be just the right length and a great color. I also have this terrible problem of buying only printed skirts so I thought I would sew a couple plain colored ones. So far I have finished one and I could have finished three or four had I not decided to put in pockets. But as G always reminds me: pockets make the skirt.
I have finally forced myself to jump on the packing bandwagon and make a sizable dent in packing/repacking my room. What I came home from college with is nothing compared to what I am taking to the Midwest. The addition of furniture and a full kitchen seems to add quite a few boxes. My biggest realization from this packing nightmare is how lucky I was to go to a college that was fairly close to home. Not so much anymore. Packing winter coats and skis in June is surreal.
On a different note, I started making my own skirts!! Ask anyone about my picky-ness when it comes to skirts - they have to be just the right length and a great color. I also have this terrible problem of buying only printed skirts so I thought I would sew a couple plain colored ones. So far I have finished one and I could have finished three or four had I not decided to put in pockets. But as G always reminds me: pockets make the skirt.
Fun Fact: Helium that can be purchased at party stores to fill balloons is often mixed with oxygen to prevent suffocation if inhaled.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hydrogen
Welcome to my blog!!
As you might have read in my "about me" or from the title, I will be moving to the Midwest and starting a journey filled with science and teaching. The big move is coming up soon, approximately two weeks, and I am slightly terrified. I have never been so far removed from my immediate family for long stretches of time, so this will definitely be a documentable experience. All in all, I am excited to start my journey but it will be a completely new experience.
I have created this blog hoping to update family and friends about my experiences and to share some nerdy science stories (of which there will be many).
As part of my first post, I want to set a few goals out for myself:
As you might have read in my "about me" or from the title, I will be moving to the Midwest and starting a journey filled with science and teaching. The big move is coming up soon, approximately two weeks, and I am slightly terrified. I have never been so far removed from my immediate family for long stretches of time, so this will definitely be a documentable experience. All in all, I am excited to start my journey but it will be a completely new experience.
I have created this blog hoping to update family and friends about my experiences and to share some nerdy science stories (of which there will be many).
As part of my first post, I want to set a few goals out for myself:
- Always have a chemistry related title (I'm sure the first 118 posts will really get you bored...my apologies in advance)
- Despite misnomers about chemistry, it is actually really interesting. I'm hoping to have a fun fact (or two) in each post either about the title or something else super cool
- Include links to science articles/news. I think it is extremely important that we are "science literate" in that we understand how much of our everyday lives is affected by science.
Fun Fact: The sun consumes approximately six hundred million tons of hydrogen per second and converts it to helium in a process called fusion.
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