Sunday, October 10, 2010

Eureka Moments




EUREKA !!




Scientists from Ancient Greece - Did some REALLY COOL STUFF

Thales and some others - who may have started it all

And FAMOUS SCIENTISTS different lists and ways to search ...

How is this or how are they important to us today? What could we possibly have in common?

Well, For example: We are studying MOTION. 2500 years people were too...

Looking for evidence of acceleration and gravity? Have you ever REALLY watched water fall? Have you ?


Strato
(who died around 268 B.C., he is sometimes called Straton) did. he observed much more carefully than Aristotle, and realized that falling bodies usually accelerate. He made two important points: rainwater pouring off a corner of a roof is clearly moving faster when it hits the ground than it was when it left the roof, because a continuous stream can be seen to break into drops which then become spread further apart as they fall towards the ground.





Famous in the history of "Discovery" is Archimedes' shout... EUREKA!! .. truth or fable?
We are not certain,... but the math is proven!



We still use the word today.... ( and the math!)








We call them “Eureka” moments, sparks or breakthroughs, and we say things like “The lightbulb just went on.” We talk about good ideas as if they burst forth in one instant, and in one mind. But what if ideas are actually the works of hunches cobbled together and incubated over time?

This is how author Steven Johnson talks about ideas. He rejects the history books that tell romantic stories of inventors working alone in a laboratory, and instead presents stories of collaboration — of “ideas built on top of other ideas.”


In his book Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation, Mr. Johnson traces seven centuries of innovation and argues that these tales of invention — a swath that takes in everything from the printing press to the Internet, the pencil to the flush toilet and an incubator made entirely from car parts — prove that an “idea is not a single thing, it is more like a swarm.”

“Ideas are growths of other peoples’ hunches,” Mr. Johnson said.

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/Eureka+moments+really+come+flash/3646918/story.html#ixzz11yLZQ4bL

So what should one look for in a biography of a scientist?

Students should read about the phenomenon that was studied, how the experimental apparatus was configured, what was done with the findings, what specific errors and corrections were made, where ideas came from, and how the scientist’s colleagues, the public, the press, the government, or the funders reacted to the work. Students should be aware that scientists
encounter obstacles and experience setbacks as well as successes. Students should consider books that describe the work done by men and women in different areas of science, from various cultures, and who lived in different time periods.



Here is a great site to get one started searching for Great Women in Science... (yes, it is OK to play the games while you are at it)

The Web site iWASwondering.org is inspired by Women's Adventures in Science, a biography series for middle-school-aged students co-published by the Joseph Henry Press and Scholastic Library Publishing. Women's Adventures in Science chronicles the lives of contemporary, working scientists. Despite their varied backgrounds and life stories, these remarkable women all share one important belief: the work they do is important and it can make the world a better place.




....Many have made great sacrifices... often breaking social barriers along the way..


















Scientists change and improve how we understand the universe... Sir Isaac for example..




Other links for scientists
Famous Scientists and a Time Line of Scientists, a TOP TEN LIST you might even find a video of your scientist here on "BIOGRAPHY"

Here is a site that was put together by another student working on the same project
Sizzling Smart Scientists .

Don't forget your textbooks may provide examples too!

The Light Stuff


Einstein's Big Idea homepage

Launch interactive The Light Stuff


the Comments box is open...

What have you discovered?


Have you ever had a EUREKA moment?


Who interests you most?

72 comments:

  1. Hey, Mr V, I want to thank you for that LEGO video demonstrating the 3 laws of motion. Without that, I would not know where to begin to explain how inertia works.
    -Justin, Blue

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  2. Hey mr.V i choose Rachel Carson! She wrote alot of books um are her books okay to read because you said it had to be about the person but her books are about science by their titles so i was thinking if its okay if i do that instead or should i just read about her?
    Sabrina/Yellow

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  3. Justin, it's amazing all the different ways we can find that help us to understand what seems complicated at first.

    Put a point in the Bonus Box !

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  4. Sabrina,

    Rachel Carson is one of my very favorite people. I did a major study of her work in college. She is exceptional, and truly shows how one dedicated person can truly make a positive difference !

    GREAT CHOICE!!!!!

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  5. Mr. V, Am I allowed to do our project on a ferensic anthropologist? I really want to, but I don't know if they count as scientists; and if so, do you know of any with biography's written about them? I enjoyed the LEGO video about the laws of motion, it helped me understand the laws of inertia a little bit more. I also loved the website iwaswondering.org. It was a lot of fun to look at.

    - Savanah Yellow

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  6. Savannah, I don't know of any forensic anthropologist's biographies off hand, but I bet we can find one... I know that there are many in fiction. ( TV shows too!)

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  7. Mr. V the day you explained everything about what we need to do as far as reading and as far as an inertia demonstration, I'm a little confused. Can you send me an update or talk to me in class.

    Thanks,
    Paul-YELLOW

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  8. Paul the first thing you need to do is search for a scientist who interests you. Then look for biography or book about them. There are several resources you can use... the Library is a good place to start.

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  9. I watch a television show at night called "Bones". I find it very interesting. I found a book online titled "Bone Detective: The story of Forensic Anthropologist Diane France". May I read this biography for my report?

    I loved the interactive "Light Stuff" game because it was very descriptive in explainatory detail.

    - Savanah Yellow

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  10. Savanah, may I see the book? It sounds VERY interesting. I like BONES too. I used to watch crossing Jordan, sort of a similar show. Too busy now.

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  11. Am I permitted to do my science report on a fictionalized television show, because if I am then I would much rather do that then on a book about Diane France. If not than I will go ahead and research Diane France, but I wanted to ask just to make sure. I hope that wasn't a stupid question...

    -Savanah Yellow

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  12. I don't have the book itself, but I was going to have my father order it for me from borders, because my local library doesn't have it.

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  13. Savannah , A TV show will not give you enough material for this project on a Scientist. However you may be able to compare a REAL sorensic scientist with the one on the show... that could be cool!

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  14. Mr.V, watched all the videos and have a few questions (surprising right). What is a newton? What does buoyancy have to do with Eureka Moments? What is Newtons 2nd and 3rd law (the lego video confused me, alot)? What's the point of Light Stuff? Just to make sure the crown is not made of gold?.? Also, may I do Jane Goodall as my scientist?
    Allie, Yellow, Miss. Questions!

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  15. That would be cool. I definetly have a strong understanding what I would like to do my project on. I will go ahead and order the biography. It should be here by the end of the week. Thank you for all of your help!

    - Savanah Yellow

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  16. Miss Q you will be introduced to Newtons this week... Archimedes + Eureka + Buoyancy = (search hint) Check text for 2nd and 3rd... All substances have different densities.


    Yes. Jane Goodall is all good.

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  17. Thanks Mr. V. So, what do you mean search hint? I know that we will be learning about this next week, but can you still explain it all, because I really want to what it's all about. So I know that there are a lot of questions in my past comment, but can you still try to answer most of them. I really want to know what everything is.
    Thanks again!
    Allie Yellow Miss.Q

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  18. Mr. V, Do I need to do the three oops for not doing the Graphing Motion worksheet? I think I should, but I don't know what the three oops are.
    -Savanah Yellow

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  19. oops 1,

    What was the mistake/error you made?


    What should/could you have done so that you didn't make the mistake or error?

    How will you make amends? (Make up / resolve for you mistake?)

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  20. Thank you, On the worksheet tonight for homework, I don't understand how to graph the three things for the two trucks.
    truck a : elapsed time, miles per hour,total distance
    truck b : elapsed time, miles per hour, total distance

    I understand that you use different colors for the different trucks, but how do I graph the third line?, Do I use three different lines?

    - Savanah Yellwo

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  21. Hey, Mr. V,
    I'm doing the homework, and I can't understand how to complete the Graph for #II. Any way you can help out?
    -Justin, Blue

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  22. Should I create three different graphs?

    - Savanah Yellow

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  23. Mr. V, I am very very confused on how to do this. I have looked it up on google, and asked my parents. I have also called Allie, and we decided that we should graph the hours and the distance traveled. If this is the wrong answer, I have tried multiple things that prove I put forth effort.

    - Savanah Yellow

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  24. These are very good questions. YOu might be making it too hard, we will complete them on WORK WORK Wednesday.


    That fact that you are trying is what is important. You'll get it, I promise.

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  25. For one truck there are three "parts"
    to the trip

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  26. Mr. V today in class. You told me that you relpied to my questions, but I can't see the answer. Can you please post the answers and you were saying, that you were giving me bonus, but you never posted it. Am I missing something?
    Miss. Q Yellow

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  27. Mr. V is this the right definition of a newton: unit of measure that equals the force required to accelerate 1 kilogram of mass at mass 1 per second per second, per second. (It's says per second twice. Phyical Science Textbook Glossary.
    Allie Yellow

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  28. Thank you sooooo much for putting that video of sir issac newtons laws it helped me understand them. I am going to do the biography on Newton considering he has a great deal with what we are studying, Thankyou.
    Jeremy, Yellow

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  29. Jeremy there are many good biographies about Newton. Some ar more difficult than others. Our librarian is wonderful, I know she can help guide you to a good choice.

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  30. Ye it does say per second twice, sort of funny; per second per second. but that's a true measurement!!!

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  31. Miss Q, this is how I replied.

    Miss Q you will be introduced to Newtons this week... Archimedes + Eureka + Buoyancy = (search hint)[ search via Google by typing this in ] Check textbook for 2nd and 3rd...[ you can find information in the textbooks on Newton's 2nd and 3rd laws ] All substances have different densities. [ the density of gold is greater than that of silver, so ... the mass to volume ratio is measurably different]


    that better?

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  32. What about Inertia Measurement charts? Are they due Tomorrow?
    -Justin, Blue

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  33. Mr.V I want to do my biography on Jane Goodall, because she really interest me in her works with chimps. Am I allowed to choose her? I'm not sure if she has had a "Eureka" moment.

    -Sarah/yellow

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  34. i have already been to the local library because the scholl library did not have any in stock... the name of the biography is Newton's Gift- how sir issac newton unlocked the system of the world
    jeremy, yellow

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  35. Mr v i was wondering if by telling me to take a picture with an arrow on you meant exactly that. I assumed so and took three pictures on the way here. I also wrote down that you told me to make a graph for my i.ertia expirament. I hope that is all you wanted me to do. If not then let me know and i will do it.
    Savanah yellow

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  36. Arrows are "vectors" and indicate many things...
    force, velocity, acceleration etc.

    We will look at arrows as "vectors"


    When you test your inertia demonstration making it an experiment you will have to measure at lease two things... IF IV, THEN DV .

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  37. Thank you Mr v
    Savanah yellow

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  38. The thing I learned that objects feel lighter in water because the water is actually pushing up on it..and that is buoyancy. Object still sink because if the object is denser than the water gravity is a force sinks it. I really can not think of a Eureka moment unless you can count when I was little and the sun and moon dont disappear but the earth rotates..The scientist that interests me is Clyde Tombaugh who discovered pluto for my scientist. Discovering pluto must have been a eureka moment.

    Zachary/yellow

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  39. Mangroves VS Low Energy Beach
    Allie
    10/18/10
    P.7 violet
    The mangrove coast has lots of creatures living in the mangroves. Many little creatures for example fish, crabs lives in the mangroves. These creatures live in the mangroves because it is very safe. Big fish cannot get in the mangroves because you must be very small to get in. There are 3 types of mangroves. White mangroves have two bumps on the sides of the leaves and there are no roots in sight. Black mangroves have salt on the back of the leaves and they have black pirate fingers sticking out of the ground. The Red mangroves have prop roots, and pointy leaves.

    A low energy beach is different from mangroves because low energy beaches have larger creatures and more predators. Low energy beaches have large fish and sharks. A low energy beach is a beach the does not have waves directly hitting the beach. We see low energy beaches a lot but we don’t think of it. We have a low energy beach on campus. The beach at school is a low energy beach. A low energy beach a good place for animals to live because they at not hit my waves directly. This is better for creatures because that animals can fed and mating without be moved by many people or waves.

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  40. AN Excellent Choice...
    What is Pluto exactly? will be a great investigation

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  41. Hey mr.Voskuil i went to the library and got my book about Rachel Carson. Well actually the book she wrote! For the project on the due date you just want us to have the book done right? Because i was like should i take notes when i read. Because you said well do a project right? But i started her book The Edge Of The Sea and so far its a good book! Thanks for the video about Eureka i was confused on what its based on but know i get it!!! Thanks :D
    Sabrina/yellow :)

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  42. YOU are looking for a Eureka Moment ... a moment of discovery, understanding, realization.... that is a good start... There may be more than one of course

    Put a point in the bonus box.

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  43. Mr.V I was starting testing my "Inertia demo", but I don't have 2 toy cars of different sizes, so I can't test the demo. What should I do? I asked my neighors if they have toy cars and they don't. I called my friend and they don't. I looked all over my house and I don't. You (at school) have the materials I need, but not have at home. I don't know what I should do? What should I do?
    Allie Yellow

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  44. Mr.V for my inertia experiment I can't figure out my IV. I have a few, I think. The speed of the car, the mass of the car, or the distance between where the paperclips landed (from the car). What would be the IV? The distance the paperclips landed is my y axis and the spped of the car is my x axis. So is the IV the speed of the car and my DV the distance the paperclips landed?
    Allie Yellow

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  45. You keep EVERYTHING THE SAME except the one thing - variable- you CHANGE; that's your independent variable

    Write the sentence

    IF... (independent variable, what you intend to change and MEASURE)...

    Then ( dependent variable, what you predict will happen that you MEASURE).

    Example

    IF I increase the speed of the car carrying the paper clips...

    ...THEN the distance the paper clips are thrown from the car will increase.

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  46. Mr. V, For my report, would the eureka moment for my forensic anthropolofist be when she figures out how a person died? And what are we supposed to do after we read our biography?, write a factual essay?

    - Savanah Yellow

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  47. Very good Questions...

    I am glad to hear you are well into your scientist.

    We will be defining the "Eureka moment", and see if your scientist's experiences match.

    Notes are always good. You will have your choice in how to demonstrate your understanding.. an essay will be one of the choices.

    You have read the Eureka Moment blog,...right?

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  48. Mr.V
    Hi i'm wondering if you had anything scheduled for us today the 25th because our class was not there today. I just want to make sure.

    Paul
    Yellow

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  49. We need to finish up our data and graphing for your [personally designed Inertia experiment .... I had some data from the "leaping experiment" as examples. You can see them tomorrow.

    Progress Logs are not due til Wednesday.


    Thanks for checking in Hope you had a good Field trip. See you tomorrow!

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  50. Mr.V Thanks for the Lego Video. Are we going to be studying the 2nd and 3rd Laws, or just the first? Also from #17 on the homework p330 do we treat the hour in between when the car was still counted in the Average speed?


    Sherlock(Savannah)/YELLOW

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  51. YOu are already studying #2 and #3..you just don't know it yet.


    AVERAGE speed... yes you count that hour.

    Good Q!

    Put one in the bonus box.

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  52. Mr V.
    That lego video was really helpful... I understood the first law before, but now I actually understand the second and third laws too.I like the videos like this one, that are easier to understand, they really help. Thanx:D

    Casey/Blue

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  53. Hi Mr. V i haven't posted a comment yet and now i have. I have a few questions...
    1. my scientist (nicolaus copernicus) is a very good scientist or astronomer and i'm guessing his eureka moment is when he found out about the solar system and when he wrote his book De Revolutionibus. Im just not sure.. would you think it would be that???
    2. I have tried 5 different experiments for my inertia and i just dont know how to graph the 1 i have now and i like this one the best. What do you think i should do??? Should i make more than 1????




    Tyler/Green

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  54. Tyler, these are great questions.

    First, somewhere sometime it must have dawned on Copernicus..."OH MY!! I have proof not that ........ " - that would be a Eureka moment ( I think you are very much on the right track)

    Bring your data and graphs to class and be sure to show me --- sometimes it is a lot simpler than it seems - there is a good section to review in your home text on pages 316-318 that might help.


    Put two(2) in the bonus box.

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  55. Thank you mr. v and i just love legos i think they are awesome and i have a lot of sets of them and just learning about the second and third laws in lego form in a video in my opinion is a more fun way to learn about them thank you very much and i appreciate the time you put into this blog. it must be hard work and it is very helpful.


    Tyler/Green

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  56. Tyler, that's very kind, I appreciate it. ( I like legos too, I plan to be going to the new Lego land)

    I am even more glad that it helps you .

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  57. Ya I heard that they tore down cypress gardens for the new lego land. I liked cypress gardens but I love lego land and hope to visit there someday. I think My dad did a little construction there about a year ago.




    Tyler/Green

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  58. I am also wondering if i cold have permmission to come to your class tomorrow morning and for you to check my eureka moments because after school is when I read and had found his Epiphany so can you check that tomorrow in the morning???



    Tyler/Green

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  59. Yep.. see you before class. Epiphany is a great word!


    That's worth another one(1) in the box!

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  60. Hi Mr. V, I have a quick question about my RERUN
    R-recall the purpose. It asks how was this experiment designed?? What do they mean by that??? DO they mean like how you thought of this experiment or something like all the materials used for the experiment???



    Tyler/Green

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  61. Good Question, How did you decide on your design, did you get it from the text book, or from class , the blog site... or get an idea and make it up yourself?


    Put one(1) in the bonus box.

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  62. mr.v, im not sure where to leave my questions, so ill leave them here.

    1)what would happen to a rock floating in space

    without obstacles? would it increase, decrease,

    or keep the same it's speed?

    P, Maese-Green

    2)what is the formula for speed?

    3)what are the four types of matter?

    4)what is plasma?

    5)give an example of velocity.


    1)keep the same.

    2)distance over time.

    3)solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

    4)super heated gas.

    5)45mph, West.

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  63. Paris.. some very good vocabulary questions and answers. I like that you separated your Q&A.

    Your sources?


    Thanks

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