Inspiration in the Windy City...

Well the third quarter has come to and end and we are now on the down slope toward the end of the year.  I know it gets hard to focus on school as we approach spring break, but we will keep going and then after the break we will finish the year strong.  I picked up a ton of motivation this past weekend as I attended the National Science Teachers Convention in Chicago.  I really was filled with a renewed enthusiasm for my profession just by spending time with 10,000 other science educators from around the country.

Just in case you didn't know, the GHS student body is currently being scheduled for next year.  Hopefully everyone takes some time to think about what classes will be best suited for getting you ready for you future...resist the urge to take something just because it is next on the list.

I hope everyone has a great spring break and enjoys a bit of relaxing with friends.

Best...

In honor of pi day, did you know that if you started writing out the decimals of pi on paper that it would cover the entire earth?  It is an non-ending, non-repeating number so I guess it would cover, well, everything.

March Madness...GHS Science Style

The quarter is coming to an end and the year is almost 75% over.  While many of my students see spring break as the next major event in the school year, there is the matter of finishing this quarter strong that must be dealt with.  Tests are coming in all three classes and this will make a huge difference in the final quarter grades.  After that, then we can look a bit forward to spring break.

In physics, we had our first Physics Musical Extravaganza.  The students created their own musical instruments and had to play a song for us.  Many of these were wonderful, but a few were outstanding.  I wanted to give kudos to Nick Slone and Draven Colon for their pvc instrument and the awesome version of Crazy Train.  The Unique Instrument Award goes to Cassidy Brannigan and Jessica Isley for the Tongue Drum they made.  The Clearly Not Copied From the Internet Award goes to Josh Mooshian and Jonathan Fulton for the Gatorade/poster board Trombone.  I was really impressed with many of the different things that were made and I look forward to using this project again in the future.

So that is all for now, I was going to fill out my brackets soon, but I just can't bare to do it with the ultimate outcome so clearly visible.  Congrats in advance to Mrs. Whipperman and her UK Cats!

The best laid plans of mice and science teachers...

The Scottish poet Robert Burns pretty much nailed that one!  I had every thing I needed to become a blogger (bloggist, blog-meister), and yet I'm left with naught but pain and grief.  I guess it is hard to carve out a few minutes each week to put down some thoughts, but that is nothing more than an excuse. Since I don't accept excuses from my students, I shouldn't make any for myself.  I simply need to either do it or not do it.  The odd thing is I really do like writing.  I was a journalist in school and was always fond of creative essays so this blog thing should be right in my wheel-house.

We are moving through the third quarter at a pretty good clip and we just got tests back in all of my classes, so that would be why grades moved so drastically.  In physics, the students should be channeling their inner musician and developing an instrument and learning to play a tune.. this is a new project so I am interested in seeing what they make of it.  In my chemistry classes, we are getting ready to do a couple of labs and pushing on through the material.  If you have any questions of me, please feel free to drop me and email and I will get back with you ASAP!

That is all for now except to say I am pretty much done with winter!  I am looking forward to some nice, warm spring days...I say we get rid of the stupid ground hog!