Molecular tour of the Heme & why you Poo is brown

If Pyrroles made your mouth water wait till you see four them framing iron in the heme molecule! What beautiful vocalized Pi orbitals. Podcast

Molecular Tour of Melatonin - the magic sleep hormone

The story of the hormone that is afraid of the dark is only half the story. Check out the hexagons, pentagons and layer of electrons slapped on this great molecule. Step of here to enjoy Pyrroles. Podcast

Super Exam Answer technique ... but does it work?

There is a technique that NSW Australian teachers will tell you is famous through out the world, but does it work. It is the A Learning And Response Matrix. The ALARM method overlaps education concepts, and produces responses when students have no idea of what to write.  There is a discussion, of the idea of techniques in general and what you may be giving away when you buy into them. Podcast

Human Genes: use instructions, then broken up in chunks

The human gene comes with expression instructions in the DNA before we hit the gene proper, a start here marker, then chunks called exons interspaced with buffer packaging called introns which are dis-guarded. A lot of  sources represent genes as simple strips as they appear in primative cells such as bacteria and archaea. Podcast

Quark to Phenotype: a lightening speed tour through different scales.

After you have been studying for a while it is good to put all the information what fit in what together.  The last part of the track through bases, DNA, genes, alleles , genotypes and phenotype is worth thinking over. Podcast

Blue light made me forget

A fascinating tour of your own brain takes you on journey through light receptor to you "magic" pine cone that then sprinkles sleep dust (melatonin) through your body. Podcast

What are they measuring with all those wires when you sleep.

Starting with the story of the unstable but inquisitive cavalry man we find out what the four traces are on your sleep chart recording. Podcast

A capacitor that you can change to see how it works

Laying down a layer of aluminum foil, then paper, then foil... you make a stacked film capacitor that you can listen to as it regulates a simple oscillator circuit. Hard not to learn from this activity. Podcast

Supercapactiors

These devices are give your electric car or bus a sporty feeling and have the cost and lifetime to take your home off grid forever (= quite a longtime). Starting off with the basic equation the magic is explained. Podcast

Build to learn about capacitors

Using two rolls of Al foil and two of lunch wrap we build a useful capacitor and understand how they are made. Podcast

Capacitors

Introduction Podcast: What do they look like? What do they do? Podcast

A symphony concert to remember: A review

I was expecting a just the music concert. Join me on my drive down from the Blue Mountains to the Penrith concert hall where harvested more than I expected: Full Wikipedia lectures on the 1812 with cannons recorded from 1958, youth playing a piece about Auschwitz, and Piano "Homage to Liszt" Podcast

Full confessions about Pendula

Having let slip there are "Compound" pendula which are useless for keeping time, I confess to the categories of pendula: Simple, Coupled and Compound. It is beautiful but pretty deep in that we are so close to CHAOS and somehow life itself through pendula. Who would have thought. Podcast

In depth explanation of coupled pendula (Fail)

Here I FAIL by calling coupled pendula "Compound" which is incorrect.  A less sexy set up allows you to follow mathematics of two separate "modes" and understand the seemingly less complex two pendula on a string. Podcast

What happens when you have put two pendula on a string.

Here we suspend two Pendulum on a string (Coupled pendula) , pull one back, release and it will slowly stop while as if by magic it's partner will begin to move. Podcast

Urinetown : a review of this musical

A great local production of the Broadway musical. It is "Neo - Futuristic" and uses complex layers of humour to look at complex issues and look at the way we look at them. 20 out of 6 for this production. Podcast

Smart use of a mouse to measure pendulum swing

Attach a card to a pendulum and use a computer mouse to track the movement on a computer. This is a key science activity in education. Labview can really demonstrate acceleration and velocity. Podcast

Transistors made easy

Listen and learn about transistors ..... the name of the terminals, how to wire them up and what they do. Podcast

Chickens are coming !

Exploring all the different tracks of knowledge coming from focusing on the lesser known chicken facts. Podcast

I love LEDs !

Listen to someone who is probably too interested in LEDs and diodes. Losev the discover of LEDs dies of starvation in a besieged city. Podcast

Dropping your nuts from a balcony

Nuts (used with bolts) are the idea weight to drop from height to determine gravitational acceleration. Tied to string it then allows measurement to be efficiently made as you time the drop to tug duration and the retrieve the weight.  Having strings link together in 1 metre lengths then make variation of this factor a breeze. Then have one nut fall tug the next nut can allow a cascade of nuts to fall leading to an accurate experiment. Podcast

Ideas in teaching Resistors and Electrical Resistance

The aim of these podcasts is to sharpen my cognitive/presentation skills.  I slip up here by saying V, potential difference had units Coulomb per Joule, I had obviously got it the wrong way around! Some clear background is given needed before you launch into this topic. Podcast

Lamarck Episode 5 Stalin's madness

The general strategy of weaving several lines of inquiry to arrive at a nuanced understand is proposed.  This is not what Stalin practiced when he created a terror state in which if Lysenko felt you were not supporting Lamarck your career would be cut short. The various shades of terror lurking in almost every society is noted. Podcast

Seeing something get bigger when it is hot.

A demonstration using heater wire to support a rotating spindle with needle is described.  Also the construction of a realistic inter-nuclear vibration potential aides in understanding why things get bigger with heat. Podcast

Seeing Current and Voltage in a Circuit.

By using the "Hill's glow and blow resistors" you can set up a series circuit that when one resistor is cooled the other one heats up. Podcast

Free fall explanation of Tides

An extended object will have different parts going in different orbits leading to the tidal distortion. Podcast

The glow and blow resistor

A small coil of nichrome wire is an ideal first electronic component for students to explore. Podcast

The case for Quantum Mechanics

Because so many people believe what they were first taught in the '70's they find it hard to understand efforts to move the conversation on from classical electrons to full blown wave functions. A New Scientist article notes that scientist (notably some female ones who were sidelined) were demolishing the empty space atom from as early as 1935 Podcast

Stargazing live : a review

The program is discussed and reviewed.  Scales of the solar systems and the mechanics of the sun are explained. Podcast

Quality or Quantity?

In the real world it is often necessary to move between quality and quantity in stages particularly when quantity is necessary to first get a presence and start up the systems that finally lead to quality.
In podcasting I am tending to various quality issues while getting the flow of material.  The Roman insight to fighting the Carthaginian Navy, the US building 3 Liberty cargo boats a day as some of the many examples of a need to look after quantity first. Podcast

A scientist does sport

A look at the history of sport moderates views about history and general and reconstructing its significance, and perhaps seeing any difference with the received wisdom. Podcast

Lamarck Episode 4 A new/old theory of Evolution

Lamarck made a remarkable step forward realizing we were just not dolls in gods doll house but changing as we evolve. Podcast

Lamarck Episode 3 His Career

Understanding his career, and his think of the theory first then look for the evidence background allows us to understand the power and limitations of his take on Evolution. Podcast

Lamarck Episode 2 His Polar Bear

Some how animals get caught up in the turbulent times of the French Revolution, in concept and in the fur. Podcast

Lamarck Episode 1 His times

The French Revolution is described in simple terms and sets the stage for this key Scientist that many in the English speaking world like to under-rate.Podcast

Making Ammonia

A chemical process pioneered 100 years ago is now the premier chemical activity on earth. Podcast

Bring the galaxy inside your classroom

Simple experiments with Bunsen burners and electric light bulbs recreate the local star group inside the classroom. Podcast

Cool Modifications to a Bunsen Burner

Shaping the end, and using a water fogger are two of the not so radical modifications that are worth exploring with students as an extra curricula extension. Podcast

The Next generation Bunsen burner

Let's call it a "Hill" burner, but the principles are well established. The idea is to get a ring of gas jets to collide in the centre creating a magical floating flame just sitting in space. It is constructed using a scaple to cut pneumatic pipe and 4 or more T press seal pneumatic junctions and .... glue dispensing nozzles for jets.  Briefly described is a central ion infuser that is assisted by current flow.  This level of construction was held back to avoid confusion. Podcast

Colour Flames to see elements

The basic teaching techniques of this essential science experiment is discussed along with some tricks of the trade to make a really memorable lesson. Podcast

Play Review: An Inspector Calls

I make a few comments about a community play: An inspector calls.  The play highlights some of the social problems of the rich (capitalists) exploiting everyone.  The device of using a police inspector who is able to ask probing questions is great but raises the issue who is doing this role in our current society. Podcast

Let's think about iron chloride

A tour is given for iron chloride. We see how it goes into solution, how it is made and what is going on with ionization and electron affinity. Podcast

Refresher on the chemistry of salts

We are working towards a fun activity with salts to colour the flames from Harry Potter wands. But first we have to review flame chemistry, atomic ionization energy and the often overlooked electron affinity. Podcast

A game that gives your student's the edge in projectile motion

This plotting game ( a bit like battle ship but the ships and fire is moving) carefully make the moves each second and each grid square 1 meter. It is interesting how easy and intuitive it is to add gravity. Podcast

A most embarrassing prison story

Alexander Pearce was an Irish convict who ate his fellow escapees to survive the wilds of Tasmania.  For some reason this dramatic story is not commonly known in Australia. Podcast

How do they make ultrashort laser pulses

Ultra-short laser pulses are made by converting the incoming pulse to a rainbow and using a prism or diffraction grating to fold the colours on-top of each other in time. Podcast

Out smarted at a Car Park.

I had to pay a $5.40 fee for being 25 minutes late out of a car park. I was sensitive not to the letter of the law but who had power in this situation. PODCAST

Thermal Radiation Explained

We look at a simple approach to the thermal radiation equation.

The parts of the density of states, and the Bose Einstein statistics are used. Podcast

Was Planck a Nazi?

Planck was deeply involved with Hitler, and lost all his sons in the War. The interest in the answer is more in the thinking of those who ask the question. Different classes of scientists are considered, from the masters of equations to the dynamic mind of Einstein to the modern day scientist bound deeply to computer simulations. Podcast

How optical fibres are made.

The  problem of getting light from Point A to Point B as been solved by the fascinating invention of Optical Fibres.  We look as using mirrors, then look a lenses but how do we get glass so clear light can travel through it for 600 km? Podcast

Simple Radiation Ideas

A simple look at Wien's Law, Stephan's Law, and Planck's equation Podcast

Reverse Parking a Van

This two stage strategy is explained on a 10 x 10 grid. Podcast

Burning Steel wool increases mass

The intensity of watching a chemical reaction and the grams pile on is a really intense experience for students (I am told).  I recommend the oxygen generators (really nitrogen extractors) as standard school equipment. Podcast

Hardware of the Church - Hammers and Battleships

I have found chance encounters with the Vatican marriage annulment computer so interesting. As I have been educated various lessons on aerial baptism really got my attention. The various Papal hammers were great to read about. The Vatican war ships were so interesting, but trying to tell my mates about it showed "I was in too deep" into study Podcast

Elephant's Toothpaste

This timeless classic school experiment shoots a tube of foam out of a measuring cylinder. Some tips like warming the cylinder first and putting an ember into the oxygen foam are reviewed Podcast

Meter, Kilo, Second what are they now?

Take a journey back in time to when things were relative to the dimensions of the king and the fractions of the day. Overnight concrete standards of the meter, kilo have been replaced by formulae that few people have a real sense of. Podcast

Lead Chloride - a great precipitate

You can really gain an intense insight into solubility and how water surrounds ion by heating up this precipitate and letting it recrystallize as a spectacular 'gold' rain Podcast

Hypatia - Early science martyr

The real interest here as she was martyred by Christians around 400 AD you hear so little of her. Podcast

Learning about Chemical Solutions.

The problem of dividing a copper sulphate crystal exactly in two (In order to inherit a sheep station) is posed to teach about chemical solutions. Podcast link

Seeing the Science Potential in your Students

As a scientist parachuted into education I have been able to cut through the hype and focus on some quality leads. Structured Observation of Learning Outcomes (SOLO) has been hone with millions of dollars and millions of students to produce a highly reliable science thinking potential detector. Typically for me I see AI making this a fantastic global tool for education.

Caring Nurse Story

This short children's story was written while I had a Fentanyl Patch on. I penned some three other odd children's stories at the time. Still the aim is for education and creative play.

Skip's story

The elements of this children's story are all true, just a few details about the order have changed. It was written with a couple of other stories while I was under the fog of post operative drugs. Like most of things, it probably won't be developed further . . . . I am exploring stories for creative play and education.

Toxic Blue Cool Thick-shake that will fascinate kids

An unexpected reaction between copper sulphate and baking soda makes for a fascinating hook to understand heaps of chemistry.

After the vision the reality of Podcasting

Upload rates of 7 kbits per second means a rethink from the previous thinking for this channel. Only for people interested in knowing about the behind the scenes action or inaction.

Best Science Teaching Secrets

Hear about

THINK    PAIR    SHARE

PREDICT   OBSERVE   EXPLAIN

these are researched, tested and proven techniques to stimulate science thinking

The Magic of making chalk from baking soda and moisture absorber.

This fizzing chemical reaction between two house hold substances to make a third seems like magic and really fascinates people. Teachers please listen to the whole podcast to pick up safety tips. This is ideal for home schooling.

https://www.webqc.org/balance.php?reaction=CaCl2%2BNaHCO3%3DH2O%2BCO2%2BNaCl%2BCaCO3

https://www.webqc.org/balance.php?reaction=CaCO3%2BHCl%3DCaCl2%2BCO2%2BH2O

Make an insect with some aluminum foil

This fun class activity involves scrunching a piece of specially cut aluminium foil into the shape of an insect. The more serious side of enriching traditional teaching is discussed.

Andrew Hill's question: What is the origin of sport in Australia?

Andrew is a key tennis coach with an eye for the big picture strategies. The famous 1770 English ship that first took Captain James Cook to Australia had a health conscious tourist on board who jumped rope on deck to keep in shape. The poor condition of the Second Fleet prompted an sport for fitness on future trips.

How to introduce Kinetic Energy

Traditionally, the formula is written on the board and students are drilled in examples. This approach derives kinetic energy (1/2mv2) from F=ma. It does lead to a deeper and stronger understanding.

Effective teaching of vector diagrams

The difference between BODY diagrams and VECTOR diagrams and a clear way of showing a RESULTANT vector (====>) as distinct from a body force vector (------>) is discussed
Recorded while driving.

Different depths of teaching Newton's three laws.

Texts set at different levels are read and discussed

Psychology and optics

Look closely at the photos and you will see the shadow of the chair bleed into the shadow of the man's arm.  The psychology driving what we see is discussed.

Red Back spider venom

A short talk about the Australian relative of the Black Widow spider

Julian Hamm's question about explaining the idea of "action"

Julian asked about the difference between "action" and "energy"

A sound sound lesson

Having student face away from the sound source produces great results for teaching the speed of sound.

Tomorrow's Electric Super weapons

They are coming soon on the Gerald Ford class aircraft carriers

Novichok a tour of a Neurotransmitter molecule

Novichok is interesting, but the molecule it plays havoc with is a very interesting ester

The Prime Number Theorem

A quick description of one of Mathematics golden discoveries

The Spanish American War

A war we missed because of our attention to the Boer war

Tour of the Kevlar molecule

A truly magnificent molecule

A deadly octopus

Learn about how the blue ring octopus delivers a deadly neuro-toxin and other facts

Understanding wheels today

Understand bearings and stationary contact with the road

Car break technology

Drum, Disk, Break fade, skidding and antilock breaking

How power steering works

    The variable pitch rack and pinion is explained

https://sketchfab.com/models/cdf509746d9e48e99bcbbf3d79db943e

Invention to teach fractions

A simple idea of using squares of clear plastic supports group learning and guidance at home

Inventions to teach probability

Teach probability using spinning wheel using parts from a remote control car.

Vision for future podcasts - update

This is a strategy podcast   Actually I am a while off automating this I find, so I will publish as produced so there is less to manage.

To access all podcasts;

 http://drhill-science-news.blogspot.com.au/search/label/drhillteach


Feeds:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/com/CrmV

A good momentum lesson

A precision first school experiment that is reliable and targeted. A step by step guide is given to make dynamics trolleys that show what makes up momentum.

Could you really travel to the Sun 500 times on your own DNA?

A in-depth look at your DNA as it really is. Most of the time DNA is unwound and bulked out by its negatively polarized backbone.

How muscles use electrostatic forces

Move beyond the "knowledge" that muscles make forces and find out how billions of nano-legs power stroke to lift up your coffee cup!

$80 high power microscope

Rip of the lens of a laser pointer, place it under a microscope slide and collect the shadow on the CCD chip of a web camera that has had it lens removed. Great project for gifted students.

How the birth of US consumer electronics won WWII

Proximity anti aircraft shells crippled Japan in days in the "Great Turkey Shoot". A secret that people had lost interest in but is key to understanding our cheap consumer gadget age.

Tips to teach Doppler shift

Placing two speakers on the rear wheel of an up ended push bike. Starts of easy to understand then gets into some maths to explain how we see spinning stars in space

How I teach cells

I give the students a series of challenges with eggs, plastic bags and water bombs

Four lifesaving inventions

1. A phone service plus AI to diagnose head injury / Concussion
2. GPS location reporting by mobile for ambulance, Light modulation for location identification. Automate public gate opening
3. Glow in the dark Epipens
4. RF tagging Epipens

Galvanometer Tutorial

Fairly standard lesson on the features and function of a Galvanometer

Triangulation Science Lesson

An authentic scenario from the Vietnam war is used to set the scene for a classroom learning activity. Some of the sensitive issues and background is discussed.

Nano-robots inside cells

The static diagram of a cell is upgraded with the last 30 years of discoveries.

The tricks plants are using to make photosynthesis more efficient.

The Maple, grass and the cactus represent three layer of photosynthesis strategy to outsmart photo-respiration. Here about C3, C4 and CAM as plants look after their glucose enzymes.

Not all plutoniums are the same!

Here about the nice isotope Pu 238 and spot patterns of uranium, neptunium, and plutonium

Neutral atoms really do attract electrons at close range.

Here the story and understand the difference between electron negativity and electron affinity.

The super pattern hiding in the periodic table.

Different tips for teaching trends in the periodic table are given and the ultimate super pattern, trend of trends is revealed

How do thermocouples work?

Thermocouples are the go to temperature measuring technique in the lab. The Seeback effect of charge building up on the cold end of metal rods really gets you thinking.

How to students can learn about the capillary effect.

A simple demonstration with two microscope sides can teach a lot of science.

Understanding the Servo

The robots are not here yet, but the servos are! Pick up some basic information about how they work.

Atmosphere made easy

Starting with a near death experience on a Qantas jet find the easy way to remember the different levels in the atmosphere and find out the way they behave the way they do.

What can you eat when you are stranded in Antarctica?

An antarctic explorer was forced to shoot and eat his way through his huskies. This podcast covers some of the bigger geopolitical forces at play behind the science that paints the picture of the ozone hole.