Technology: In Plain English טכנולוגיה: באנגלית פשוטה: A Watched Pot Never Boils

OK, so I admit it... My name is Yossie and I am a technology geek and a physics junkie!! (This is where you all say; "Hi Yossie!")

I have been a teacher for about 30 years now and throughout that time, my primary focus has always been on technology and science.

Why?

Well, because... SCIENCE IS JUST COOL!!!

Here is an example of really cool...

Are you a Dr. Who fan? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0)

They have this character called a Weeping Angel.

These monsters are quantum (yes, as in quantum mechanics from physics) creatures that are really assassins and attack only when they are not being observed. Blink - and bang - they've got you!!

Now, what if I told you that this is REAL!!! No, no... not the monsters! The part about observations in the quantum world!

Ever hear of the Turing Paradox - also called the Quantum Zeno Effect? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Zeno_effect).

Here is the quick explanation... A group of scientists put some Uranium - you know, the stuff that is radioactive and decays really quickly - in a petri dish and came back a few days later and... sure enough it had decayed!!

Now, the same scientists put some more uranium in a petri dish and WATCHED it.... Don't BLINK!!... and it didn't decay!!!

WHAT??!! Is that even possible?? Just watching something can change the fabric of the universe as we know it??!!

Well, according to Quantum Mechanics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_quantum_mechanics) it sure does!!

I hear you! You are thinking: "Fine, cute.. but how do I use something like this in my classroom?"

So here is my suggestion...

When I taught Conceptual Physics - based on the books by Paul G Hewitt - to my 9th grade students, we took the first 5 - 10 minutes of each class to talk about cool concepts in science. Since I taught in Jewish Day Schools, the topic was usually about new technology and science coming out of Israel. After about a week, I started to assign students to bring in topics that they had researched and before you know it, my "geek-dom" was increased exponentially!!

What you do think about his idea? Can you see how it develops a student's HOTS (High Order Thinking Skills)? As always, I solicit your comments on the blogsite.

Regards...

Yossie

Two of my Heros in Science are the late Don Herbert - of Mr. Wizard Fame (I got to work with him in Calgary, AB when he was recording the last season of his tv show) - and Paul G Hewitt whom I mention in this post. Even though Paul is over 80 years old now, you can still find his stuff online. Here is a link to his Wiki page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_G._Hewitt A link to one of his famous conceptual physics videos - https://youtu.be/zWKiWaiM3Pw and a link to his "Hewitt Drew It" youtube channel - http://hewittdrewit.com/iWeb/Home.html His stuff is just inspirational!!

Hey Paul - if you are reading this... Good Energy to you man!! YF