Science Fair Enthusiasts, Issue #006 - What's New !
January 01, 2005
Science Fair Enthusiasts newsletter brings you the latest in the "best of all things Science Fairian."
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I. 3D Periodic Table
II. From NASA
III. From NSTA
IV. In the News
V. Science Fair Book of the Month
VI. Science Fair Projects Kits
VII. Science Fair Success
VIII. Science Fair Supplies
IX. 10 Ways to Make and Keep Your New Years Resolution
After reading about Roy Alexander, I discovered that he lived just a mere 30 minute drive from my home. I called him and we met at a restaurant for lunch last month. The story of his journey in developing and patenting a 3-D Periodic Table, The Alexander Arrangements of the Elements, illustrates the importance of following your dream and never giving up!
Here is a man in his 70's who had asked an interesting question of his high school science teacher... "Why isn't the periodic table in 3D as all other things in nature?" The teacher did not have an answer for him.
After pursuing a career as a science exhibit designer, the question he had asked his teacher just didn't go away. "As I left work one night in 1965 I saw a list of drawings for an (another designer's) exhibit that included a '3D Table of the Elements' and agreed that this was the correct way to depict anything in nature. Then I discovered that '3D Table of the Elements' was a flat one with 3D letter/numbers. I decided to make a real 3D one, took off my coat, and did it that night. Patenting it was years of hard work. Genius is easy."
What is unique about his Periodic table? It is in 3D and is contiguous and continuous. It removes all disturbing discontinuities and displacements in the order of the elements.
And now his 3D periodic table is available for everyone. Why do I say that? Because he ships internationally for the same flat low price as he does in the U.S.- $3.95. That means you can order multiple things and the shipping price stays the same. Amazing wouldn't you say! I don't know how long this will last because the cost of postage is increasing in the U.S. the middle of January.
There are 3 versions...
The Desktopper® - which sits on top of your desk. I am looking at mine right now.
Student Version - To be used along with classroom instruction.
The Display Version - Great for classroom display.
II. From NASA
Most machines don't improve with use. Old pickup trucks don't gradually
become Ferraris just by driving them fast, and a pocket calculator won't
change into a supercomputer by crunching lots of numbers. The human body
is different...
FULL STORY at
In recent weeks, writers in the education and mainstream press have questioned and explored what the research says
about the best instructional approaches for teaching science. Unfortunately, terms such as "discovery learning" and
"direct instruction" are being frequently misused and commonly misunderstood. NSTA hopes to clarify the issue and
provide you with insights on this important topic. We encourage you to read the article by NSTA President Anne Tweed,
which will appear in the January issue of NSTA Reports.
http://www.nsta.org.
NSTA has a series of 3 difference books that are just for teachers,
If are a getting a little desperate about finding a science fair project, don't panic....
Easy, Instantly Downloadable 24-hour Science Experiments is here to save your day!
• Easy, step by step instructions ~ Hypothesis to Conclusion!
• Quick access to research materials.
• Examples of charts and graphs, and you are given access to Excel and Microsoft Works spreadsheets that are
ready for you to plug in your data... your charts are created like magic!
The reviews have been great! 1st through 8th grade.
Direct Instruction: Is It the Most Effective Science-Teaching Strategy?
Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It.
Susan Young...mother
We have also added a ton of new science fair books. I invite you to browze.
We have a lot of new biology,
chemistry,
earth science and
physics science kits. Come check them out.
VII. Science Fair Success
Science Fair Success
VI. Science Fair Project Kits
Did you know that you can use Science Fair Kits
for your science fair projects? Many kits have more than one experiment with directions or give you ideas
so you can make up your own.
What is Your Personal "Best of Science Fairs” Story ?
Here is an opportunity to share and contribute your best, fun, exciting, informative, original... whatever...
personal best science fair story. Teachers, parents, caregivers, grandparents and students... You are all invited. And you will
be given your own web page. Read the details....
What are the secrets to achieving science fair success? I listed 4 secrets in this brief article. You will be surprised to
learn what they are.
Please stop by and discover the secrets....
VIII. Science Fair Supplies
Science Fair Supplies -- a one stop for everything that you need. We have
conveniently divided the supplies into categories: astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science and more....
Please stop by.....
IX. 10 Best Ways to Make (and Keep) Your New Years Resolution
Franklin Covey
has help millions of people reach their objectives and improve their lives. The company was originally formed by
Franklin Quest when he acquired the firm created by the management guru, Stephen Covey in 1996. As experts in
time management and organization,
they know the secrets of creating motivating goals, plus specific, practical ways to help keep you motivated until
you reach them!
Of course, many people make New Year's resolutions… but how many of them actually keep them?
According to one study, 23% of resolutions fade away within the first 7 days. But don't let that stop you!
The following are 20 of our most effective ways to not only create resolutions, but also help you turn them
into reality…
1) First, Take This Simple Test to find out just how serious you are about reaching your goals. If you can't get
past this first step, don't just go through the motions because you're "supposed to" make resolutions for
New Year's – you're likely to fail. Instead, stop and ask yourself, "What goal is worthy of my time and effort
and would be exciting and motivating for me to work toward?"
Next, schedule a 15-minute appointment with yourself in your student planner
and answer these 4 foundational questions:
"Which of my goals did I accomplish in 2004?" (You did have goals, didn't you?)
"Could I have done more? If so, what are the reasons I gave myself for not achieving them?
(Now's not the time to be easy on yourself.)
"Have I set specific, measurable goals for 2005? If not, by what date will I do so?"
"How will I apply what I learned last year into 2005 to make the biggest difference in my life?"
Fact is, most people reading this issue Science Fair Enthusiasts won't answer these questions.
Why? Human inertia: that powerful, life-wasting force that stops many of us from realizing our life's potential.
So how do you break through? Take baby steps! Here's how...
Step 1: Right now, cut and paste the 4 questions above into an empty document. Congratulations… you've accomplished
step 1.
Step 2: Schedule 15 minutes in your student planner
right now when you'll type your answers to those questions
in that same document.
The mere act of taking Step 1 can help push you past the human inertia that may have been shackling you
in years past. It's a simple technique called "chunking down," or "Swiss cheesing"... reducing tasks
into bite-sized, manageable pieces. Taking Step 2 puts a process in place that helps keep you moving forward.
Make sure every action plan ends with a step that requires further action!
Now, follow these time-tested ways to keep the momentum going...
2) Restructure! Most resolutions don't work because they're no more than wishful thinking…
fluff and no more. First, change the verbal structure of your resolutions: Don't say, "I'll go to the gym and lose weight."
Instead say, "I'll join the gym tomorrow at noon… exercise three times a week... lose 20 pounds...and once again fit
into these old jeans." Assigning dates and numbers gives your goals substance, making them real and reachable.
3) Simplify! The Queen Mary weighs over 81,000 tons – nearly 35,000 tons heavier than the Titanic.
Yet the rudder – the part that ultimately determines the direction in which the entire massive ship moves –
weighs "just" 140 tons. Compared to the rest of the ship, the rudder is small! But to everyone on board,
it's the most important part of all.
For example, let's say you want to do an award winning science fair project.
Look at the this list. Overwhelming, isn't it?
In this example, that all-important "rudder" is the very act of sitting
down and going step by step, checking off each step as it is completed. The timeline will also help you to do that.
Say, "I will sit down every day for at least 30 minutes, read one page of Super Science Fair Projects and do the exercise that page.
It's getting yourself to sit down at the computer, read the page, then take the action that is recommended on that page!
4) Focus on Your Vision – The rest of your life will be shaped by your current vision of your future.
Establish a powerful picture of how you want to think, feel, act, and live three years from now.
Constantly refer to this vision to guide all your 2005 decisions, goals, actions, and communications.
This puts YOU in the driver's seat rather than the "fickle winds of fate."
5) Recognize the Value of Rest – Just as you can't start a car with a dead battery, you also can't think
creatively with an exhausted body and mind. A tired body's instinctive goal is relaxation and sleep. Everything
else, besides survival itself, is secondary. Listen to your body... give it the rest (and play) it needs to
recharge itself... then dive back into your work refreshed. You'll get more done in less time... and have more fun, too.
6) Clean Up Your Life – Messy desks at work... unorganized kitchens at home… overstuffed garages...
and lots of loose ends that need tying. All these things pull your attention away from your goals... drain your
energy... and chip away at your self-esteem. Make a list of what needs "clean-up." Do at least one each day,
if for no other reason than to have a weekend that's yours to spend as frivolously as you wish!
7) Learn More, Get Higher Grades– Feel frustrated? It's time to learn more… develop new capabilities...
and take the next step.
What kind of grades would you get if you knew twice as much as
you do now? Interesting, isn't it?
9) Know Your Own Strengths –Your first question in any endeavor isn't,
"What can I do differently?" but "What can I do better using my present talents and abilities?"
By focusing first on what you do best, you plan from a position of strength and think in areas
that are most familiar to you. Bottom line: You don't have to change everything! You simply have to channel
your strengths in other directions.
10) Take Charge of Your Attitude – Do you start your day in neutral? In other words, when you wake up,
is your attitude poised to respond to whatever situations occur to you, or
do you consciously determine your mindset? Each of us becomes a victim of circumstances – and other
people's moods – when we start in neutral. Our mood (and the resulting entire day)
is then shaped by the ping-ponging back and forth between some people's good moods and other's
lousy ones. Force yourself for just one day to see the positive side in things, no matter how small.
The effect snowballs. Read the books, "Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude" by W. Clement Stone, and
"The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz. You won't believe how the change positively
impacts your energy, health, effectiveness, and the attitudes of those around you!
I highly recommend Franklin Covey Student Planner because it is designed for the busy student.
Ask yourself, “What is the ‘rudder' of my resolutions? What's that one thing that makes all the difference?”
The Best to You,
Madeline / alias Detective ThinkMore