Author Archives: Dan Bobrowski

Weigh In: Could Evolution Produce Dragons?

A paleontologist and reptile expert, Jack Conrad, thinks that it is plausible for dragons to be a product of evolutionary processes. After all, most dragon-like characteristics already exist – albeit as parts sprinkled throughout the planet’s vast biodiversity. What do you think….could evolution reshuffle the distribution of these traits in such a way as to produce a dragon?

Sierra in Greece!

While I was in Greece I visited the Acropolis. The Acropolis means a place high above the city. It is a very important Greek place. A fun fact I learned is the mountain is made mostly of marble. They poured cement over part of the marble so it would be easier to walk on. (Marble is very slippery!) While we were there, a woman slipped and fell on a part that was not covered by cement. Also, something funny about Greece is many people who live here prefer to use wood over marble and the wood is way more expensive unlike America!? Thanks for reading!
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Debate: Do You Think This Will Work?

An entrepreneur in Amsterdam has come up with an idea that he thinks will help reduce air pollution in the city. His team is mounting birdhouses on trees around Amsterdam, but instead of holding nests, they are filled with nitrogen oxide sensors and WiFi routers. Nitrogen oxide is one of the negative byproducts released by vehicles as they burn gasoline. To incentivize people to walk or ride bikes, when the level of nitrogen oxide in the air drops below a certain level, the birdhouse turns green and free WiFi is available to people passing by.

Do you think this will help lower the level of air pollution in Amsterdam? Post your thoughts below.

Bulb Lab

bulb in ball jar  

Supplies:

  • See-through container (glass or clear plastic)
  • Marbles or pebbles
  • Flower bulb(s)
    • Daffodils, lilies, tulips, and amaryllis bulbs work well for this lab.
    • You should be able to find bulbs at a garden/nursery store. If not, you can find them on amazon.
  • Water

hoirdm

Directions:

Fill the container two-thirds full with marbles or pebbles. Set the bulb, pointy end up, on top of the anchoring material. Add water to the container, filling it to just below the base of the bulb. Place the entire set-up in a place that gets bright light for at least 6 hours a day, making sure to refill the water to just below the bulb as it evaporates. Observe and take pictures as the bulb grows! This would make a great gift!

 

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