Bill Nye the Science Guy!

We had my father and step-mom over for a visit and big feast yesterday, so I missed doing my post on Boxing Day.  Today was a visit to Waby Brook Farm (Deep Creek Road) to visit my daughter's 4H dairy calf and her cow. The calf's name is Ebony.  She is the first baby of Kieran's first cow Pallas.

Then we went tobogganing at Raven Park - AWESOME!  And then I realized I hadn't done a post for Dec. 27th; thus, I defaulted to one of my favourite science brain enhancers - Bill Nye the Science Guy.

I include a short sampler on rocks and minerals - a fav theme at Bastion - and then a longer more detailed one.  Happy holidays to all ...

 

(1:56)

(23:04)

Here is the link for Bill Nye's Youtube Channel for vids on numerous, numerous themes ...

Tracking Santa Claus Around the World - Norad

My in-laws, the Allaways introduced us to the Norad Santa tracking site years ago; we check in every year and learn about the world as Santa makes his massive journey.  Join us in the adventure.

http://www.noradsanta.org/

How to Make Sponge Toffee - Science!

I love the things my family and I take interest in during a day - lots of shared information, but also numerous questions.  AND the beauty of books and the internet is that we are able to find the answers to our questions.

Today I bought my kids a crunchie candy bar and we simply needed to know how it is made - check it out below.

A professional candy maker shares the process: This is a clip from "Watson's Chocolates factory in Tonawanda, Buffalo, USA  just a few days before Valentine's Day. Professional candy maker Gerry gives us an inside look at the complicated art of creating sponge candy, a chocolate-coverage crunchy confection unique to the Buffalo area." 

Here is a CBC video for how to make your own sponge toffee (ignore the opening ad!)


Sponge toffee recipe

Enjoy.

Derby the dog: Running on 3D Printed Prosthetics - Science

My Dec. 22nd post is about science, creativity, determination, and 3D printers.  These things come together to help a puppy become more mobile.

Respond below to your thoughts on this video and/or make an information suggestion to continue exercising our brains over the two week break.  

Season's Greetings, Ms. Murrells-Allaway and family.

Kitten Therapy: The Prescription for Stress

My daughter showed me the below YouTube clip (3:04) from her FaceBook page today.  Adorable and informative.  Animal therapy is wondrous

Christmas can be a stressful time, especially for parents coordinating what I refer to as "the production" (or at least I let it become that way, right or wrong, most years).  I'm aiming to enjoy the process of Christmas more this year - being organized, but pairing the to do list, slowing down our days, relishing family time, visiting with neighbours and friends, and ... cuddling with our three cats: Fig Newton (Newtie for short), Sirius Black, and Dobby (we're major Harry Potter fans - try out the sound recording if you haven't already - supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Newton, Newt, or Newtie, 18 yrs old!

Sirius Black

Dobby

Pagani Vehicle - Sports Car

Thank you to all of the students I've worked with, and my family members and friends for inviting me to learn more about our diverse world.  This car theme is for Callum who loves anything and everything about cars.  I invite you to skip those opening ads - sorry that they are part of many video clips.

Pagani Huayra A Short Documentary (National Geographic 14:56)

Emperor Penguins, Antarctic. Captured by Photographer Paul Nicklen

Source: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/08/teachers-guide-to-21st-century-learning.html

Let's continue exercising our brains over our two week holiday.  Let's share great topics to learn and explore about.  We can learn through the internet, books, and simply talking to one another.  

I'll start with this National Geographic Live documentary about the Antarctic's Emperor Penguins (20:38). Photographer Paul Nicklen talks about his journey photographing and learning about these majestic animals while living in the antarctic.  It's the story BEHIND the pictures.  This theme is for Grace's animal passion.

Reply below with other topics and ideas or email me at smurrell@sd83.bc.ca

"National Geographic Live! - Paul Nicklen: Emperors of the Ice"

The 18 minute mark shows the penguins jetting out of the water to avoid being dinner for a leopard lion; they can soar up to 4ft in the air due to their strength, speed, and determination to get out of the water - FAST!

The