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High Schooler Sets Physics World Abuzz

issac newtonA 16-year-old German high school student has written a paper that purports to have solved two mysteries that were beyond the intellect of the great Isaac Newton.

Shouryya Ray, an Indian-born student who won second prize this month in the math and informatics category for Germany's Jugend Forscht student science competition created formulas to answer the following questions that have puzzled scientists for centuries:

How do you account for air resistance in calculating the trajectory of ball thrown out at an angle?

Precisely how does a ball thrown against the wall rebound?

Because Ray's paper was a school-based project and was submitted for a contest, it is not subject to the publication process and peer review that professional work typically goes through. That has led some experts in the field to reserve jugement of the work until they've seen it for themselves.

However, everyone who has commented about Ray's paper has said it is an achievement that very few high schoolers could duplicate.

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Interesting Facts About Hair to Share...

I visited England in May and found an unusual shop near Lincoln's Inn Fields (London). Called the Silver Mousetrap, it dates back to 1690. I discovered that it had a very unusual history concerning hair styles of the 18th century. Thought I'd share some interesting hair facts as well as the story about why wealthy women made purchases at this particular shop!

FUN HAIR FACTS!

  1. Did you know that your hair grows fastest in warmer weather...

Enrichment Clusters in the Classroom

“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”   --Albert Einstein

As a former journalist, I can tell you that the newsroom is an interesting place. There is the sound of writers tapping the keyboards. The police scanner crackles in the background, a mix between muffled chatter and occasional static. Reporters and editors stand around, gossiping as Fox News or CNN (depending on what newspaper you work for) plays on televisions mounted...

Summer Reading: Teachers in History,...

Summer Reading Tips

I have just completed my first three summer reading books that I can endorse for Art, History, French, and English faculty members.

Angels of Paris by Rosemary Flannery is a stunning illustration of the art and architecture of Paris, and is a total work of love! The author takes you on a tour of multiple examples of the...

Alternative Gifted Plans

Should students be given compensation when testing for gifted programs?
In other words, should students from low-income families or families that speak English as second language be given some leeway when it comes to testing cut-off scores?
Known as Plan B in the some school districts, the practice, as you can imagine, is quite controversial (some school systems, such as one I know of in Florida, have done away with the plan). The idea behind this practice is that you try to...

Hidden "Gifts"

I simply didnt see it.
While I didnt actually instruct the boy, I had spent some time with him, when administering standardized tests, helping out with field trips, etc.
He appeared to be a typical boy. Horsing around with the other boys. Sometimes, a little rambunctious. He most certainly didnt appear to be an academic. Never saw him reading or studying, like many of the gifted boys do when sitting in the schools cafeteria in the mornings, waiting for classes to begin.
...

Who NOSE It?

We all have a nose but what do you really know about the nose?Did you know your eyes can see your nose at all times, but the brain tends to ignore it? Do you know what an epistaxis is? Are you a rhinotillexomania? Share with your students some fun facts about the nose!http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?nosefunfacts.html

Gail Hennessey
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Relationships: Starting Course Interest...

AP Art History Course Next Year
I am proud to be teaching APAH next year and have 24 students already enrolled in this course of arts, ideals, patrons, and explorations of the real and ideal. Follow me @APArtHistory1#APAH #wcasag

This class will be an amazing adventure! It is designed to have students define art across the ages and cultures of humanity, define art for themselves, appreciate the great art movements...

In the News: Blobs of gelatinous...

Almost 50 billion(yes BILLION) plastic water bottles are thrown away each year! An edible gelatinous balloon may be just the answer to this growing problem. Called Ooho,the sphere shaped containers are made from a brown algae. Researchers say the membrane blobs can be made in different sizes and that even the labels would be made from rice paper. With a double lining of membrane, the labels would be placed between the layers so no glue would be needed. The current design requires you biting...

Strength-Strong Education

"If your child is weak in mathematics and strong in music, we usually get him a math teacher and not a piano teacher. If you did in fact focus on his strengths and not his weakness, that same child could become a great musician, and then he can hire an accountant to do his math."
Deepak Chopra

He was a young boy, who loved taking nature photographs, but he also had a disability that made writing and spelling very difficult. Utilizing his strength and interests,...

Relating: Faculty Growth to Faculty...

In the article below, one school discusses how its faculty meetings have been redesigned to meet faculty growth. In a similar fashion, my faculty meetings are conducted for in-depth staff development on general topics, PLC, and community building. Meeting once a month for an hour is our learning time. The one topic only session is a presentation on a big idea for general faculty discussion, trial, interaction or skill building. It is desirned to provide a common direction and is always based...

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