Need Something to Do?

I hope you have been enjoying your break!  If you are looking for something to do, revisit the Extra Credit document for this class and see if anything appeals to you.  I have been reading a number of books that were recommended to me by students.   I have enjoyed them all, although each is quite different.

1. The Radioactive Boy Scout, by Ken Silverstein, 2004 (recommended by Elliot in period 2).  This is the true story of a teen-ager who built a nuclear reactor in his backyard.  No, I do not recommend this activity to my students, but the science is well-explained and it may pique the interest of a future nuclear engineer!
2. The Canon:  A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science, by Natalie Angier, 2007 (recommended by Maggie in period 4).  Angier, a science writer for the NY Times, explains topics of science in very witty and colorful terms.  She begins with an excellent chapter on thinking scientifically.
3. The Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku, 2008 (recommended by Corey in period 4).  Have you ever wondered if force fields, teleportation, time travel, and many of the other things you read about in science fiction are possible?  Kaku discusses the real science behind these topics and speculates as to when or if some of these far-flung ideas might come to fruition in the future.
4. The Velocity of Honey and More Science of Everyday Life by Jay Ingram, 2003 (recommended by Austin M-S in period 4).  This book is made up of quick and quirky discussions of everyday topics such as toast falling, baby-holding, the effects of staring at people, skipping stones, and curling (the sport, get ready to view the Winter Olympics with science in mind!). 

I'm always looking for new recommendations, so if you have read any good science books, send the titles my way and I will add them to my list.   I have been able to obtain all of them fairly quickly from the Multnomah County Library, so you might want to start there and see what you can find.   The Lincoln library has copies of a number of books from the list as well.  Check with the librarian and/or look for the Raczek book cart in the library. 

If you are curious about grades, I uploaded them on the Thursday before break.  These grades do not include your latest test, Critical Reader, or the Reaction Rates Lab.   Check for any missing assignments.