pHear Factor

Exploring concepts of pH using LabQuest sensors. We started this lesson yesterday with a game of pHear factor, blindfolded students bravely tested several samples for describing characteristics of acids and bases.

Torrey Pines Trail

Out on a short hike today at Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. Sarah and Dave are here for the afternoon :-)

Solar Cookin!

As to be expected, the afternoon class had higher temperatures in their ovens. We topped out at 166'F. Given 20 minutes, the chocolate was melted and soon all over some happy faces!

Smores Using Renewable Energy

Well, we had to cook something! All of my math and science students have been working very hard at the start of this year. Since we just finished our first grading period and just rocked the recent district benchmark exams, its time for a well deserved treat with our science lesson!

Solar Ovens Using a Pizza Box

Yesterday, we built solar ovens using a pizza box. Today, we're testing them out and recording the temperature in 5 minute incraments.

UV Experiment

Today we designed UV experiments using a UVA probes.

Oil and Water

Yesterday, our school had an assembly, "Oil and Water". We were able to meet two adventurists who converted an old Japanese fire truck to run on any natural oil. They drove all over North and South America without using one drop of petroleum. http://www.oilandwaterproject.com/

Collecting Stream Data

Buster and Ryan are collecting data along the upper creek at James Reserve. Several locations were tested for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Meanwhile, I was able to find several aqautic invertebrates including predacious diving beetles, water striders, back swimmers, silver beetles, and caddisfly larvae.

Off The Grid

James Reserve has power needs beyond the few structures that are here. The sensors, structures, and other research equipment are all powered only by solar.

IT-E3 Group Hike

Nice view from here though weather is moving in. This is part of my IT-E3 group of teachers working together to provide enriching science lessons for middle school students.

Bird Nesting Monitoring

There are numerous bird houses on the reserve. Each has a collection of sensors to evaluate how conditions affect nesting behavior. Many have cameras that are streamed on the web.

James Reserve Study Plot

There is lots happening in this study area from robots moving through the canopy to cameras taking images sub surface to study root development. The foil wrap around the manzanita has a heating probe that extends in the trunk to measure xylem and phloem activity.

Living Sensors!

We poured water on what was apparently dead moss. Within seconds, this species hydrates, turns green, and begins photosynthesis. Hydrochemical reaction? It is being used to sense small amounts of precipitation using the camera. It actually is a more sensitive technique than using precipitation sensors.

Weather Sensing

This is one of many weather stations at James Reserve for a variety of experiments. They all transfer data to a web server.

James Reserve Canopy Sensor

I'm out on a teacher field trip at James Reserve. If you look closely at the image, you can see a robot that transverses the canopy to collect sensor data and pinpoint images. James Reserve is managed by the UC system.

Diamond View

What an awesome view of Petco Park from the 15th floor of the Diamond View tower. It would be awesome to experience a game from here.

Cox Grant Awarded!

I would have taken a picture during the presentations but it was a little nerve wrecking with the news camera there. I received a $5000 grant from the Cox Kids Foundation to purchase environmental sensors for my classroom. The reception took place on the top floor of the Diamond View tower in San Diego. An amazing view of downtown and Petco Park from here.