Dr. Matt

Science Educator and Public Speaker -- MSB Science and Delaware State University

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

Happy Perihelion Day!
This evening, Jan. 2, at 7:38 PM EST, the Earth will be at the point in its orbit where it's closest to the sun.
(in case you need a reason for continuing bacchanalia. 🙂 )

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

After talking to my students about how rockets work, I thought I would show them my rocket tricycle (powered by a CO2 fire extinguisher).

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

Don't be misled by media hype about a planetary alignment. Most people will only see Venus and much-fainter Mars. Mercury and Jupiter are very low in the bright glow of twilight and will likely need binoculars to see them. Uranus is invisible to the naked eye. So, no biggy.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@TheRealBuzz Don't be misled by media hype about this. Most people will only see Venus and, high above it, much-fainter Mars. Mercury and Jupiter are very low in the bright glow of twilight and will likely need binoculars to see them. Uranus is invisible to the naked eye. So, no biggy.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

Happy Perihelion Day!
This morning, 1/4, at 11:17 AM EST, the Earth was at the point in its orbit where it's closest to the Sun.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

There's a full moon tonight. But if you go outside around 4:30 to 5:00 AM EST (3:30 - 4:00 AM CST), you'll see that the moon doesn't look full anymore. Part of it will be dark because it is in the Earth's shadow — a lunar eclipse.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

That bright, star-like object just above the moon tonight (11/4) is Jupiter.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

For all of you old-timers out there, today is the 65th anniversary of the launch of the first artificial satellite into orbit. Sputnik 1 was launched on this date in 1957. That is generally regarded as the start of the "space age." What do you remember of that?

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

Today is the 53rd anniversary of humans' first steps on the Moon. I was a young child at the time, but I remember it well.

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@AskLyft As far as I can see, I cannot schedule a ride with Lyft in advance; I can only schedule a notification for when to request the ride. Can you please consider adding the capability to actually schedule rides in advance?

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@caahayes Thanks, Carolyn! It WAS a great discussion! #NSTAchat

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@AnnMacKenzie @caahayes @BSCS @edutopia @NSTA Ann, that’s a really great idea about “authentic questions.” We could have a whole session just on that! #NSTAchat

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@caahayes A6b: Also look at NSTA’s journals. #NSTAchat

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@caahayes A6: I conduct PD workshops on Phenomenon-Based Learning/Teaching. You can see books on PBL for different grade levels here: https://t.co/O0198FvUGz #NSTAchat

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@Jonatha01887791 @caahayes Great idea, Jonathan!
Thanks!
#NSTAchat

[Dr. Matt @DrMattB]

@caahayes A5: Give them an interesting gadget — a bit above their current level — for them to explore and try to figure out what’s going on. They’ll want to learn more due to their own curiosity. #NSTAchat