Amazing Randomness of Nature

WOW! Here is a great example of the beauty of nature as reported in New Scientist. These photos were taken by Kenneth Libbrecht of CalTech, using a specially-designed snowflake photomicroscope. They show real snow crystals that fell to earth in northern Ontario, Alaska, Vermont, the Michigan Upper Peninsula, and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

This snowflake has fern-like stellar dendrites - the branches of the stellar crystals have so many side branches that they look like ferns.

These are the largest snow crystals, often falling to earth with diameters of 5mm or more. Despite their large size, these are single crystals of ice - the water molecules are lined up from one end to the other.

The best powder snow, where you sink to your knees while skiing, is made of stellar dendrites. These crystals can be extremely thin and light, so they make a low-density snowpack.

Scientist are also creating a tool which shows how humidity and temperature effect the type of snowflake that is created. You can see this in the photo to the right.

Posted by Paul Wiech at 6:53 AM 1 comments

First Snow Day?

Here is a photo of the precipitation falling across the northeast today. Unfortunately our afterschool activities were cancelled and many were hopeful of a day off from school. You can check out a loop of the current radar at NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is an awesome map and on this date you could see the counterclockwise flow around the low pressure system that was located in the south eastern states.

Posted by Paul Wiech at 9:37 PM 2 comments

Soles4Souls at Groton Elementary

Mr. D'Antonio class at Groton Elementary is collect footwear for Soles4Souls which will then send them to children who are in need of shoes. The students came to the High School and gave speeches to every class as they attempt to make this shoe drive super successful. We all wish them luck and remember to bring in your shoes. To see more about their work check out Mr. D's blog at the right.

Posted by Paul Wiech at 12:33 PM 14 comments

Trip to MOST Museum

On Friday the freshman Global Studies class traveled to Syracuse to tour the MOST Museum and watch the IMAX movie "Mystic India." After watching the very interesting movie we then headed out into the museum to explore and play! Here is bus 2 on our wonderful trip to Syracuse.

Dom, Kraig and Michael checking out the Rube Goldberg sculpture.

Ashlyn and Moose Dog using the funky mirror.

Taking photos of our shadows.

Finally playing a moving board game.

A special thanks to Mrs. Spallone for planning a great trip and the entire freshman class for behaving and representing Groton so well. Check out the whole album HERE!

Posted by Paul Wiech at 9:17 AM 1 comments

Rube Goldberg Honda "COG" Commercial

Here is the Honda Commercial showing how physics can be used in everyday life. This commercial, which was shown in England, took three months and 606 takes until it was finished. Reports have it costing 6 million dollars but I could not fine definite proof of this figure. The other video is here on You Tube and if viewing from hom I have also embedded it. Enjoy!

Posted by Paul Wiech at 2:26 PM 1 comments

Today we increased surface area of Lycopodium
while playing with fire! We originally attempted to light it when it was in a bowl. Our attempt to light it was unsuccessful. We then increased the surface area by blowing it through a plastic tube. The results can be seen in the video created by Rhys.

Posted by Paul Wiech at 1:52 PM 20 comments

Story of Stuff and Walmart

Last year I discovered this movie explaining the path that all of the "stuff" we consume travels. Over this Thanksgiving I was reminded again of how true the general message was behind it as I read about the Walmart stampede. I remembered to be thankful for family, friends, health and even the students I knew would be waiting for me on Monday. What was so important, at 5:03am, in that Long Island Walmart that caused a man to lose his life. Watch "The Story of Stuff" and see what you think.

Posted by Paul Wiech at 10:49 AM 0 comments