1

Chemistry / Chemistry quiz?

« on: 08/10/2010 17:59:00 »

What links all these things, lipstick, bipolar disorder medicine and pace makers?

2

Just Chat! / Have you heard of John Pilkinton?

« on: 06/10/2010 19:06:45 »

I'm doing a teachers conference on global education and wondered how many people had heard of John Pilkinton. I can't afford the big guns like Al Gore who wants £15000 so I need to find someone popular enough to draw people in but not so popular they are expensive. John looks like a good bet, so who knows him and what does he do. No cheating on google.

3

Just Chat! / Recommend science apps please

« on: 28/09/2010 22:38:54 »

I've just been given an iPad. It is very high tech for my simple mind. As an apple virgin can anyone recommend any groovy science apps.?

I just thought I'd say that I haven't been ignoring you all. I have had to let Fred have my laptop as his has gone to silicon heaven. I've not had a look in since then. Now I have my trusty iPad I can annoy you all again.

4

Chemistry / I have a good website for A-level students. Do you have any?

« on: 31/08/2010 20:45:32 »

Just been helping Murray with some holiday work for his A-level Chemistry and came across a really good website. All students should try it, including those needing to revise a bit when starting Chemistry degrees. Here it is:
http://www.chemguide.co.uk
Has anyone got any more suggestions?

5

Just Chat! / Mum boasting?

« on: 31/08/2010 17:53:50 »

Hi all, for those who know Murray, he has just got his GCSE results. He got 5 A*s, 4 As, 1B and a C.
Of course Chemistry and Physics were both A*s.
As you can imagine, I'm telling everyone including the lady behind the counter at Greggs. Poor girl didn't know what a GCSE was.
Anyway, he is staying on at his current school as it has a 6th form. He will complete his maths A-level and do further maths and he will also take Chemistry, Physics and Computer Studies.

Just thought some more of the world needed to know. 

6

Chemistry / Will we run out of elements in 100 years?

« on: 23/08/2010 21:19:44 »

In 100 years time, what will the periodic table look like. Which elements will have become extinct? Will elements run out?

7

Just Chat! / Why DOE?

« on: 23/08/2010 20:59:59 »

Why do Americans refer to people with no identity as John Doe or Jane Doe. I understand the John/Jane bit but why DOE?

8

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / There's lead in them there hills?

« on: 16/08/2010 17:07:59 »

Whilst walking in Scotland we sat and had lunch on the remains of an old lead mine. We picked up a few rocks and saw that some had blue/grey square crystals. The rocks were quite heavy, white on shiney. Firstly were the blue crystals lead? and secondly what were the carrier rocks. Sorry no photo!

9

Just Chat! / What's with all the tea threads?

« on: 12/08/2010 22:48:43 »

OK, this is weird. One thread mentions tea and suddenly we are infused with tea threads. What is going on!

10

Just Chat! / This is my 4002 post !?

« on: 12/08/2010 22:23:29 »

Well I never 4002, Far too much time on my hands!

11

Just Chat! / I just need a good moan

« on: 02/08/2010 22:54:11 »

OK, got this card through the door from my new postie. He is not as nice as the old one. Anyway this card said that they couldn't deliver the parcel because it had £11.34 duty to pay. I rounded up the kids and asked "Who has been ordering things from America?"
They both looked blank and shrugged. I tried to think what I had ordered and what was missing. All I could think of was a T-shirt with the IT crowd emergency number on it. I only remembered prices in £££s and the fact that Murray and I had only ordered T-shirts from UK companies so it couldn't be that. I got to the post office and low and behold it was the T-shirt. This made the T-shirt cost £31.24 instead of the already silly £20 they were charging. Not only that but the website pretended to be British with no mention of shipping from the US.
I'm not impressed. All I can say is all at Zazzle, I hope your rude bits frazzle! 

12

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Why is clone meat and milk not allowed to get into the UK food chain?

« on: 02/08/2010 22:32:46 »

OH NO! run for the hills! The UK food chain may be contaminated by milk from cloned cows. The embryos were imported by a farmer from the US. Now as cows they have been milked and now this "NOVEL" milk could be at a supermarket near you. Apparantly you have to apply for Novel food status if you wish to sell Clone milk or meat. It should not be mixed with normal milk and meat products.
Is it just me or am I the only one that can't see a problem here. I'm not going to suddenly split into two MILs by drinking this milk. Although two of me would be useful sometimes. Can anyone see a problem?

13

Just Chat! / how do I help Mia get over her kittens going to new homes?

« on: 26/07/2010 20:30:38 »

Hi all Diego Alonso and Tilly Willow have both gone to their new forever home. They were very frightened. I hope they are both OK. We are keeping one kitten. He is called Palki and is very cute. However, Mia, the Mummy keeps crying for her lost babies and I can't really explain to her what has occurred. What can I do to make her feel better? 

14

Just Chat! / What is your favorite T-shirt logo?

« on: 23/07/2010 18:17:32 »

Inspired by Roy from the IT crowd, Murray and I have bought some new T-shirts with fun logos on them. I'm wearing my "I see dumb people" T-shirt as we speak and I also have a new Dr Who T-shirt that says "I wear a Fez now."
I'm easily pleased.
Murray likes "People, what a bunch of bastards"
What is your favorite T-shirt logo.

15

Physiology & Medicine / Does rhythm help people to learn?

« on: 22/07/2010 19:56:10 »

Robot teachers are being developed by scientists and inventors around the world. One of the things they have programmed the computers to do is to mimic the movements of the children they are teaching. If the child is bobbing up and down so does the robot in the same rhythm as the child. They have noticed that this is the most important thing in engaging the child. Looking like a human actually freaks kids out!
So are these social mirroring movements that important when it comes to teaching and learning and could a human teacher improve their engagements by doing the same?

16

Just Chat! / Do we have a scientific rival?

« on: 16/07/2010 19:43:19 »

I'm in a bit of a love triangle at the moment as I've found something new and fresh. I love this forum, it is familiar like an old pair of slippers but some times you need something vigorous and exciting. Yes I've found another science site.

http://www.askascientist.co.uk/

I think it won't last.

What should I do.

Confused of Clatford 

17

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?

« on: 16/07/2010 19:36:57 »

Click on the link below to see toucans play Kerplunk.

 http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent_messenger/news/2010/june/4/toucans_kerplunk_fun.aspx

They are doing it to get food out of a container.

But see these Gorillas playing tag

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10617311

Are they doing it for survival practise or do you think they are just having fun?

18

Just Chat! / Philosophy from grumpy old relatives?

« on: 08/07/2010 21:57:09 »

Justin Halpern has been posting quotes from his grumpy old Dad on twitter and will soon be bringing out a book.I am not really into this kind of stuff but came across one Jem of a quote from him for all you Science vs God debators out there.

"It is like science and Mother Nature are in a marriage and while science is out at work doing what he thinks is important, Mother Nature is at home fooling around with the neighbours."

I cleaned it up a tad.

Has anyone got any more words of wisdom from the very old and grumpy, that they would like to share. Some of you are probably old and grumpy already so you can quote yourselves if you like. 

19

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Do animals other than human have infectious yawns?

« on: 25/06/2010 19:33:10 »

What is this copying of the infectious yawn called and do animals demonstate the same phenomenon?

20

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / ?How far can a fly, fly?

« on: 25/06/2010 19:30:48 »

Planet Science are asking this question and no one has found the answer. So I thought I would challenge this forum with the same question and if anyone comes up with the answer I will credit this forum when I write to planet science.

How far can a fly, fly? Presumably before it gets tired and has to have a lie down!