2010 Siemens National Science Fair Champions

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/magazine/mag-27science-t.html?_r=1&ref=science

Given the opportunity to compete at a higher level, would you give it a shot?

This interactive game demonstrates how computers can 'learn.'

Play the game with the computer on 'Novice' mode to have the computer learn how to play rock, paper, scissors from scratch.

Then, play the game on 'veteran' mode, to allow the computer to search a database of past experiences and use that knowledge against you.

Play 15 rounds in each and report your score in the comments section!

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/science/rock-paper-scissors.html?ref=science

Natalie Portman:  Award-winning amateur scientist, straight-A student, Harvard grad.

James Franco:  Ph.d student at Yale: Literature.


Natalie Portman, Oscar Winner, Was Also a Precocious Scientist - NYTimes.com




What do you want to be when you grow up?

The Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to evaluate the Pebble Mine Situation.

Things are looking good for the anti-mine side.  Knock on wood.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/14/opinion/14mon3.html?_r=1

Thoughts? Predictions?

The jungles of Earth are sometimes so thick and remote that explorers have not penetrated into the deepest, darkest reaches of them.  Within the inner-most areas of these isolated and dense jungles, tribes of humans live as they have for thousands of years, having never been contacted by the outside world!

There are a few dozen tribes of people who have never been contacted by the outside world.  They are documented using airplanes, the locations of their villages are mapped and the forests around them are deemed "off limits" to logging and hunting to preserve the people's way of life.

A previously unknown tribe in the rain forests of Western Brazil has been photographed using an airplane for the first time.  Logging companies are already too-close for comfort to the tribe's villages.

Should this tribe be contacted or left alone?

Read this article.  At the end of each short section of paragraphs, click on the 'next' button to take you through the slide-show of pictures and explaining text.  In some of the photos, you can see the villagers pointing at the plane with looks of curiosity on their faces.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/02/uncontacted-tribe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wiredscience+%28Blog+-+Wired+Science%29%2Ffeed%2F&pid=957&viewall=true

Look up the definition of "propaganda," then watch these Pebble Partnership commercials...

Listen to the argument they are making.  Does their argument make sense?  Why or why not?  Is it misleading?  What do you think about these?  Do yo

This third TV spot is different than the first two.  What do you think about the message in this ad?

2010 was tied for the warmest year on record with 2005.  Also, 2010 was, globally, the wettest year on record. 

Observe the series of photos below documenting climate change in the past 80 years.  Each of the sets of photos has been taken from the exact same vantage point over many years, documenting the retreat of glaciers.

Global mean temperature is now 1.12 degrees F above the 20th century average.

As these glaciers retreat, sea levels rise at roughly 3mm per year.

At this rate, how long until the Caribbean sea is lapping at the pitch at Cedar School?  (Find elevation using Google earth)!

National Geographic Magazine is hosting the 2010 Photography Contest.Browse these 47 images on this link and give us your top three in the comments section.
I will tally the votes at the end and we'll see which ones win first, second and third prize.


After you comment, feel free to explore the Nat Geo photography website itself.  It is a great resource.


National Geographic's Photography Contest 2010 - The Big Picture - Boston.com


Mr. Erdosy's Choices:
#1:  Photo 2, the Supercell Thunderstorm
#2: Photo 24, incredible exposure shot of a ridge road at night.
#3: Photo 41, very cool!

Click on "Open Simulator" on the page that this link brings up.


Your task is to include as many different organisms as you can in sustaining interactions.  If one species has a population of zero at the end of the simulation, start over and see if you can arrange things so all of your species survive the simulation.


If you can use them all, list the set-up that you have in the comments section.  If you cannot, tell us the set-up that got your closest!


Good luck!


The Habitable Planet - Ecology Lab - Overview

Check this idea out:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/02/conderivatives/

"Under their plan, the government would determine the cost of protecting a species if it becomes endangered. That money would be set aside to fund contracts with payouts pegged to species health. The contracts would be sold to landowners and developers whose actions directly affect the animals, though the contracts could be freely re-sold.

Should animal numbers fall beneath a predetermined threshold, contracts would be voided, and money devoted to anticipated recovery programs. If the species thrives, investors would be rewarded, with profits growing in direct proportion to species health."

In other words, instead of having the government pay to protect endangered species, individual groups or organization could try to save them on their own.  If they succeeded and the organism was saved, the government would then pay the group of people.



Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages to trying this idea out?

Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/02/conderivatives/#ixzz13OPnjA7p