woodchurch science

go here for some basic research information about our solar system…
mercury
venus
earth
mars
jupiter
saturn
uranus
neptune
pluto (not strictly a planet any more! see here for details)

go here: eyes on the earth, to see real time satellite tracking data, as well as sea ice, CO2, global temp, sea level and ozone data levels. stunning.

these were the very pinnacle of modern technology about 60 years ago. if you wanted to locate an enemy in the distance, or in the dark. they may look like tubas but in fact they are acoustic locators to pick up distant engine noise. they mimic hearing trumpets, with a similar action.

scroll through to about 21 minutes for info about sputnik, telstar and satellite tracking at mission control…guildford.


via videosift.com

the government wants opinions from science teachers in order to shape the new GCSE Science curriculum. obviously the consultation process is enough to put anyone off so this site (http://howscience.co.uk) makes it easier for teachers (or anyone really) to sound off about what’s right and/or wrong about science teaching in the uk.

for engineering fortnight here are some physics games to try out…

there are four main theories: spin theory, capture theory, double planet theory and large impact theory. do some research using these links.

here are some links for you to use in your research:
geocentric model
heliocentric model
aristotle
nicolaus copernicus
galileo galilei
tycho brahe
johannes kepler
isaac newton

here are a couple of videos you could show to introduce the topic of satellites…first up is a newsreel showing how sputnik was launched in 1957, followed by telstar in 1962…

1950s: Reds Launch First Space Satellite, 7th October 1957


1960s: Satellite Brings The World Closer, 12th July 1962