Hi folks,From the folks that been able to respond, it looks like folks are willing to try to give the drive a chance so let's go ahead and hold class this afternoon.Looking forward to seeing everyone this afternoon.Drive safe everyone!Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Hi folks,Just want to check in and see what folks think regarding class tomorrow. At the moment, I'm thinking of cancelling since I'm betting the roads are going to still be quite a mess. What are your thoughts?Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Hi Jim,I see that Jim suggested cancelling, and got 2 responses that were uncomfortable with driving. I'm just getting back to this and imagine that Jim is asleep by now. My assumption based on talking with Sally who talked with Jim and after reading this thread is: Tomorrow's class will follow Jim's initial inclination which was to cancel. If I've got that wrong, I expect he'll be up early and send an email to say so. But again, my best information at this time is that it is cancelled.Jim - when you get this - please confirm one way or the other. We'll all look for your email in the morning.Thanks,Rob.On Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 1:26 PM Mariel Swiggard <marielswig@gmail.com> wrote:Residential roads will be the problem for me probably only in Rob and Sally's neighborhood. My home is close to major roads that get plowed early and often. That said - I don't drive on snow and ice well, so if their neighborhood is ugly, I'd rather not.MarielOn Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 1:12 PM Jim Mueller <jim@bitesizephysics.com> wrote:Hi folks,Just want to check in and see what folks think regarding class tomorrow. At the moment, I'm thinking of cancelling since I'm betting the roads are going to still be quite a mess. What are your thoughts?Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Residential roads will be the problem for me probably only in Rob and Sally's neighborhood. My home is close to major roads that get plowed early and often. That said - I don't drive on snow and ice well, so if their neighborhood is ugly, I'd rather not.MarielOn Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 1:12 PM Jim Mueller <jim@bitesizephysics.com> wrote:Hi folks,Just want to check in and see what folks think regarding class tomorrow. At the moment, I'm thinking of cancelling since I'm betting the roads are going to still be quite a mess. What are your thoughts?Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Hi folks,Just want to check in and see what folks think regarding class tomorrow. At the moment, I'm thinking of cancelling since I'm betting the roads are going to still be quite a mess. What are your thoughts?Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Hi folks,Just want to check in and see what folks think regarding class tomorrow. At the moment, I'm thinking of cancelling since I'm betting the roads are going to still be quite a mess. What are your thoughts?Best,Jim Mueller(919) 907-3217
Begin forwarded message:From: Jim Mueller <jim@bitesizephysics.com>Subject: Another tryDate: November 2, 2018 at 2:54:04 PM EDTTo: Ada <Adax8787@gmail.com>How's this one?? Fingers Crossed.
Hi folks,
Today we spent time taking a look at looking. In my opinion, one of the most important parts of the scientific method, and indeed, just living, is the ability to observe. We all walk through the world with preconceived notions of the way things are or should be. One of the things that made Einstein and Newton so good at what they did, was that they were able to truly "see" what was happening. Free from preconceived notions and ideas. We did several activities today designed to show how our preconceived ideas get in the way of our perceptions and to try to get better at seeing what is really there.
For homework this week I want you to work on your observation skills. Keep an "Observation Log". Each day, either when you wake up or go to bed, write down five things you notice about your room. I'll bet that this will be very easy at first but that over time it may become more difficult and you find your observations getting more specific and more generic. (I'll talk more about what I mean during next week's class.)
Have fun with this!
Hi folks,
No recording this week since the majority of the time was spent doing activities. If you missed class this week feel free to take a look at the "Communication" chapter of the eBook I sent a couple of weeks ago. That should give a good overview of what we did in class this week.
This week we worked on a skill that is not only important for science but is also vital for just living, communication.
I attempted to show the students that we tend to make a lot of assumptions when talking to people and those assumptions can sometimes lead to poor communication. In a way, science is a "language" designed to ensure that miscommunications don't happen. It's a system that is familiar to everyone that, not only, speaks clearly to the reader, but also communicates instructions to repeat the same methodology. (At least that's the hope. Not all papers meet that mark.)
I also had the students play a great "game" where they were to set up a set of blocks in secret and then give instructions to the rest of the class on how to duplicate the same set of blocks. It's surprising how difficult this can be.
For homework this week,
1. Gather any three objects, toys, silverware, blocks, coins or a combination of all.
2. Lay those objects on the table in any way you wish. (If you can, take a picture of your set up.)
3. Attempt to write a set of instructions for how to set up those three objects. Your goal is to write your instructions so clearly that you can give them to someone and they can set up the objects in the exact same way you did. (Feel free to give the instructions and objects to friends or family to try it.)
4. Bring your instructions, your picture and your objects to class next week. We will be passing them around to see if folks can reconstruct your design from your instructions. (Be sure the picture is separate from the instructions.)
Good Luck!
