Here is a PDF of the periodic table I used when I taught chemistry at Bucharest Christian Academy, updated to include copernicium (element 112, Cp). Feel free to copy and distribute this table. The GeoChristian Periodic Table of the Elements Here's what it looks like:
Category: Science Education
Evolution in Texas
From Christianity Today: Darwin Divides -- Christian college professors split on Texas science standards. The state of Texas is working on revising its science education standards, and one of the proposals is to remove a requirement that teachers include weaknesses in the theory of evolution. Christian biology/science professors in the state are divided on this …
YEC B.S. in geology program
Cedarville University of Cedarville, Ohio has added a Bachelor of Science in Geology program. From the Cedarville announcement: Cedarville University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the formation of the Bachelor of Science in geology degree, set to begin in fall 2009. Faculty will equip students for lifelong scientific leadership in career fields such as hydrogeology, …
WWTelescope — the next big thing?
WorldWide Telescope could do for astronomy what Google Earth has done for the Earth sciences. I haven' seen it yet; it is coming out some time in the spring of 2008. With WWTelescope, one will be able to view any place in the sky with imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope as well as from …
Google Earth & microclimate
Google Earth came in handy today for illustrating microclimate. At lower elevations in the Bridger Range near Bozeman, Montana, dense pine forests form on north-facing slopes, whereas grass dominates the south-facing slopes. There is enough of a difference in soil temperature and moisture between the two sides of the ridges to make a significant difference …
Fish day
Today was fish dissection day in middle school Life Science at BCA. A good time was had by most of my students: Grace and Peace
Kimberlite Pipe Animation
Diamonds are formed in the Earth's mantle at a depth of 150 to 200 km, and brought to the surface rapidly in a volcanic vent that forms what is called a kimberlite pipe. No one has ever witnessed a kimberlite volcanic eruption, but it is believed that the magma travels at several hundred kilometers per …
Physics Egg Drop 2007
My high school physics class at Bucharest Christian Academy is doing a unit on momentum and energy. When a fast-moving object hits another object, its fate depends on how long it takes for it to come to a complete stop. A skydiver whose parachute fails to open might survive if they hit a haystack or …
Geology Jobs and Christian Colleges
From geology.com/news: The number of professional jobs in the oil and gas industry exceeds the number of qualified and available workers. In 1982, enrollment in the geosciences hit an all time high of 35,000 students but today the number has dwindled to about 5,000. Salaries are generous, however the industry does not have a rosy …
Science textbooks stink (for the most part)
The middle school science textbooks we have been using for many years at BCA are old and worn, so it is time for a textbook search. Being that I cannot go to the National Science Teachers Association convention, I'm looking online for replacement textbooks. One of the first things I found was an article from …
Continue reading Science textbooks stink (for the most part)
Education Quotes
It is said that another evangelist told John Wesley: "The Lord has told me to tell you that He doesn't need your book learning, your Greek and Hebrew." Wesley is said to have replied: "Thank you sir. Your letter was superfluous, as I already knew the Lord has no need of my 'book learning' as …
2006-2007 School Year
I have just completed my first week of the 2006-2007 school year, and am rather tired. But it was a good week. It is wonderful to see my students again, and great to be in the classroom. Please pray: That the ministry of Bucharest Christian Academy would have a broad and deep impact in the …
Secrets of the Expert Mind (part 3)
Do the concepts of expertise and excellence lead to a narrow focus on one thing, to the exclusion of all else? Does the kind of focus that it takes to become a top computer programmer necessarily mean that person will be the stereotypical "computer nerd?" I think not. Take the late Harvard paleontologist Stephen Jay …
Secrets of the Expert Mind (part 2)
Yesterday's entry was a bit long; here's the Reader's Digest version: According to the August 2006 Scientific American article "The Expert Mind," motivation and effortful study are more important than natural ability for becoming and expert in one's field. It takes ten years of intense work to truly become an expert in an area, but …
Secrets of the Expert Mind
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. —Colossians 3:23 (ESV) I don't ordinarily read books or articles on psychology—a "soft" science—but for some reason the cover article in the August issue of Scientific American caught my eye. The article, by Philip E. Ross, is entitled "The Expert Mind," and …
Manipulated and Responding Variables
Throughout my years of high school, college, and graduate school, I had a hard time with the terms "independent variable" and "dependent variable." Even now, I have to stop and think: the independent variable is the one I change because I have some independence, and the dependent variable will vary depending on what I do …
Teacher longevity
Consistent with past trends, a recent study shows that half of all new teachers leave the profession within five years. I've been a teacher for six years, so I've beat the average. It certainly has more stress, longer hours, and lower pay than the job I had before, but I am happy to be where …
A Warning on Education
Education doesn't always have a positive effect: What do you get when you educate sinners? The answer is simple enough—clever sinners. Knowledge, by itself, does not make people better; it may make them worse. —Douglas Wilson, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning Education can be social engineering of the worst sort—think of education under the …
Why Do I Teach High School Students?
A quote from a letter by Benjamin Vaughan to Benjamin Franklin, 1783: Influence upon the private character, late in life, is not only an influence late in life, but a weak influence. It is in youth that we plant our chief habits and prejudices; it is in youth that we take our party as to …
Textbook Selection
I have been working on selecting a new textbook for high school Biology for next year, and I have chosen Prentice Hall Biology by Miller and Levine. When asked why I chose this book over others, including books from Christian publishers, I gave the following reasons: Most Christian textbooks include what I consider to be …
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