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).
 |
| 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.
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