2015 - Here we go!

Another year, another post.  This year's a little different than most with all of your applications to university due and you're wrapping up your 7/8 of your high school career.  Exams are coming up as well as a multitude of final assignments and projects.  You're probably experiencing stress as you have never felt before. I respond to you with this:

Colleges in the US and universities in Canada are turning to puppy therapy to help relax their students.  Puppies can be found in libraries and study halls throughout the university as a proven stress reliever. 

Here's an article on McGill University with their puppy room. 

Now that you're a little more relaxed, you're ready to catch up with the latest in science news! 

This professor can't get funding for his warp drive research because it's "too far out there".  It doesn't  stop David Pares though as he's willing to continue his research in his garage after a full day's work of teaching.  He's convinced of all that anecdotal evidence of veteran pilots who have traveled through serious electrical storms around the world and in the Bermuda triangle and find themselves 100 miles away from where they should be.  It's happened too often to far too many pilots in the past half decade that this man believes there's a correlation between high electrical activity and the ability to bend space.  Some physicists actually believe he's on to something.  Read more here.  

Some person wondered what would each of the planets look like if they were as close as the Moon.  Here's an animated GIF that I cannot corroborate on its authenticity but it's fun to look at nonetheless.

 A 5,500 year old fossil of an aboriginal woman found in Canada has its DNA analyzed.  It was found in BC's northern coast where many members of the indigenous First Nations currently live and apparently have lived for many years according to their history.  Their claim of living there has been verified by matching the DNA of that fossil with a living person who is now scientifically the 200x great-grandaughter.  That's a lot of generations.  Take a look! 

Remember those infographics and concept maps I assigned?  They're an increasingly important method of visually communicating information and its shown in WIRED's top 2014 science visualizations of the year.  Above what we see is a computer animation of a coronal mass ejection from the sun with the Earth in the background.  Make sure to look at the rest and make sure to read the captions. 

A mathematician has found a better way to get to Mars on less fuel.  Instead of aiming at the intended target and using extreme brakes (fuel) to arrive safely, the mathematician has shown a method of slowing down earlier at a proper speed enough to be gently pulled into orbit by the gravitational pull of the target.   It will be slower, but it's much cheaper. 

Again, I've shown versions of this before, but here's a video version that came out xmas eve with extreme font to annoyingly hammer it home that we live in a very, very, small portion of the universe.  Have fun in your last few days of holidays - I know I will, because I'm marking. 

 

Trying to Improve my Curating Skills

Last post regarding evolution was the first one that really attracted much of your attention.  I have to work on what content makes it up here.  I hope this week doesn't let you down!

First up is regarding a spectacular find on unearthing neanderthals.  In class, we're currently learning about fossilization and how it has helped paint the picture of evolution and how the world used to be. Although they found this cave of 12 neanderthals last year, they're still reporting and finding new things as they continue their analysis of the quartz and chert tools.  All three types of absolute age dating has placed these neanderthals at an age of 40,000+ years.  Incredible.

Up next is a fantastic imaginary video of what human exploration will be like in the near future.  All footage is based on real photos of the planets.  This could be a reality in your lifetime!  

Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist from Erik Wernquist on Vimeo.

Summer Research Prize Opportunity

McMaster university is trying to encourage students to consider astronomy as a university program by offering a new summer research prize opportunity.  Since it's new -  very few people know about it - which increases your likelihood that you will win a summer research position and $6200.  

Here are the details that I've received from Sara Cormier, the outreach coordinator (same position as Dr. Michael Reid in last week's guest lecture)  from McMaster: 

I just wanted to draw your attention to a brand new research prize for first year students offered by the Department of Physics & Astronomy at McMaster University. Current Gr. 12 students who are interested in applying to the Chemical and Physical Science I program (formally Physical Sciences I) and considering an Honours program in the Physics Department can apply.

What is it:
The prize is a paid research position in the Department of Physics & Astronomy working under the supervision of a faculty member. In the summer (2016) after their first year of university, the prizewinner will work full time for 16 weeks in a research laboratory or theoretical group. The nominal value of the prize is $6200 plus an early start on their research career!

Applications are open now and will remain open until January 31st. Students interested in applying are asked to submit an essay describing a project related to physics, astronomy or biophysics that they have been involved in, and how it has shaped their interest in physics and astronomy. Possible examples are a science fair project, culminating task, lab experiment, volunteer position, special interest, lecture or event, club or competition, co-op placement. The essay must be 500 words or less. Applicants will be judged on their written responses and entrance average. Grades submitted with their program application will be used. 

The online application website can be accessed through www.physics.mcmaster.ca and clicking on the link "Chemical and Physical Sciences Entrance Prize in Research", you can also access it directly here. I've also attached a PDF of our advertisement poster if you would like to post in your classroom.