Camera Quadrat

Fieldwork using the camera 1m Quadrat or using a .5m quadrat and taking a photo. Both were a very quick way of scanning the field and then using the computer in the classroom to analyse the photos and record the numbers of plant species.

 

Building a Raspberry Pi Server

 The students gain considerable computing experience, given a Raspberry Pi computer, installing all the software and setting up a functioning LAMP web server. Some used PHP, and others tried Django to go with their Python skills.

Candle optics

 One of the few advantages to late Autumn and winter time is the dark evenings when it is very easy to carry out Candle Optics. I like seeing the faces of the students seeing the candle upside down and then explaining what has happened.

Optically Active Molecules

Looking at a simple Polarimeter to measure the angle of rotation of Dextrose (D-Glucose) with Snatoms to help. Trying out a light source above and below the solution to more easily see the difference in rotation.

 

Pasco Flow Rate/Temperature Sensor

 With the sailing, I am wondering whether a flow rate sensor might be a useful addition to my sensors. If I put this on the River Thames where I sail I can get some good data on which part of the River will have the greatest flow rate to improve my speeds, and I can use it with the Biology studies of streams.

Another integration Hack

Another little integration hack that can save a lot of time is if the equation, the derivative of the function also part of the equation. This again saves time in an exam from having to do integration by parts or substitution.

 

When you go beyond the elastic limit

Springs in Series, Springs in Parallel and Hookes Law. Seeing what happens when we go above the limit of proportionality and then beyond the elastic limit to the UTS and the breaking point. It's a lot more fun than stretching a couple of wires for Young's Modulus.