Telescopes

Display Telescopes made at home and discuss seeing the moon. For ideas, see:
Ultra Simple Telescopes

I'm disappointed by Home Training Tools' "make a simple telescope" directions, unless you happen to have the right lenses around the house! They sell a kit for $13 with what you need, and individual lenses for a more do-it-yourself approach. I really liked their astrolabe directions - this tool has been around for 1000 years reaching its heyday in 1400-1500.

There are some plans for Do-It_Yourself telescopes, including big ones (think of the one in "And the SkyLark sings for me) online. Need more? Consider Optics for Kids

Supply sources include:
http://amasci.com/surplus/surpopt.html

PSA: Lindenberg Trial Re-creation

Cross-post. October re-enactments. See their website for more information
http://www.famoustrials.com/html/abouttrial.html

Now You Can Be A Witness To History!

On the night of March 1, 1932, the infant son of Charles A. Lindbergh, the world famous aviator, was taken from his nursery. A ransom note was left demanding $50.000 be delivered for his safe return. The ransom was paid, but two months later the child's decomposing body was found not far from his home, setting off the largest manhunt in history.

On September 19, 1934, a carpenter named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested and charged with the murder of Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., bringing to an end the hunt for the most hated man in America. On January 2, 1935, the trial of Bruno Hauptmann began in the historic courthouse in Flemington, NJ. For 32 days the attention of the entire world was focused on this little town. Hundreds of reporters and celebrities were among the thousands of people who thronged in front of the courthouse to get a glimpse of Lindbergh, the jury, and the now famous witnesses who would testify in the proceedings which came to be known as "The Trial of the Century". No other trial has ever captured such an interest of the entire world.

Performances are held in the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse on Main Street in Flemington, NJ in the actual room where the 1935 trial took place.

http://www.famoustrials.com/html/abouttrial.html

PSA: (Rocky Hill, NJ) Model UN

This is a cross-post. If you think you might be interested in joining, please email Amy Mandelker (E-Mail: AMandelker@aol.com)

Everyone in grades 8-12 is invited to join our homeschool chapter of the Model United Nations forming this fall. Model UN is the most fun and effective way I know of studying current events and understanding global international relations, as well as learning about the history that led up to contemporary situations, such as the war in Iraq.

In addition to the usual Model United Nations activities, our club will incorporate games like "Diplomacy", will probably make new versions of "Diplomacy" to reflect key historical international moments, and will also hold formal debates on significant historical decisions taken by the UN, such as its founding, the vote to mandate the State of Israel, whether or not to send peace-keeping forces, etc.>

Model United Nations has a long tradition of excellence as an extra curricular enrichment program, with the Harvard University Model United Nations program leading the way.

With the help of the faculty sponsor, club members first learn about the UN, its history and organs, and then choose nations to represent. Over the course of the year, they research their nation and follow current events that affect it. They prepare briefs and papers on key issues and present them in the model UN conferences. Behind the scenes negotiations and meetings also take place. These activities give excellent training in writing and public speaking, while learning about international relations, current events, and world history.

For those interested, here is a link to the official website .

Faculty sponsor, Professor Amy Mandelker, Ph.D. was active in her High School's Model United Nations and was captain of her High School Debate team. No one ever stood up to her impassioned rebuttals. She was elected Representative to her High School's Student Council. She holds a B.A. with honors in European History and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Russian studies. She has taught Soviet history and literature extensively at the college and doctoral level. She insists on playing Russia in all war games.

There may be a field trip to the actual United Nations in New York, where students in Model United Nations are usually given the insider's tour and a lot of attention from the official staff of the countries they represent.

There are no fees for participation. Club dues will cover the cost of xeroxed materials.

Meetings will probably be held at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill. Notification of our first meeting will be sent out by email to responders. Details about future meetings will be voted at our first club meeting.
Location: Mary Jacobs Library
64 Washington St, Rocky Hill, NJDirections

The Mary Jacobs Library is located on Route 518 (Washington St) in Rocky Hill, one third of a mile from the intersection of Routes 206 and 518.

From Somerville, go south on Route 206 about 12 miles and turn left onto Route 518. The library is on the left side of Washington St.
From Princeton, go north on Route 206 and turn right onto Route 518.
From New Brunswick, proceed south about 10 miles on Route 27 and bear right onto Route 518 shortly after Kendall Park. Drive about three miles to Rocky Hill and turn right at the library.

If you think you might be interested in joining, please email Amy Mandelker.

E-Mail: AMandelker@aol.com

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day every year. (While you certainly can dress like a pirate, this holiday is not be confused with the American Dress Like a Pirate Day, a.k.a. Halloween.)

You can download the 'official' Talk Like a Pirate Day song for free.

Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education

I am intrigued by the projects The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education offers. Their K - 12 curriculum is listed here with collaborative projects, and projects using real-time data. They also have lesson plans for projects that seem to be doable on your own - like the "historical treasure chest" suggested for Grades 5 - 12

The "measure the earth like the ancients" Noon Day Project is done twice a year. (Fall registrations close around 9/14. They do it again in March.) You may enjoy reading the "Measuring With the Mind chapter of Joy Hakim's The Story of Science first.

I am not sure how I feel about the "contest" aspect but forcing us to a schedule is not bad.

National History Day

National History Day is a school-year long project for students in grades 6 - 12. The 2007-2008 theme is Conflict and Compromise in History and the national final will be held June 15-19th at the University of Maryland. (NJ dates are given below, dates for other states vary.)

• Work alone or in a group of up to 5
• Research
• NJ Regional contest Registration - February 1, 2008
  
• Create a documentary, exhibit, paper, or performance
• Present entries at district competitions (Usually April of March) or regional contests (in NJ, March 8 & April 12, 2008)
  
• Proceed to state contests (usually late April or early May, NJ: May 3, 2008)
• Proceed to the National History Day final June 15 - 19, 2008.

The NJ State Coordinator is: Nancy Norris-Bauer at William Paterson University (norrisn@wpunj.edu). For more detail see the state coordinator list.

NJ State Contest: Date: May 3, 2008 Location: William Paterson University
Parts of the NJ History Day site have not been updated since 2005 - 2006, but district and region dates are there. I like their step by step list on Creating an Entry.

(Annual) Farm & Food Open House

Farm & Food Open House, Saturday, September 8th, 2007, Farm Tours 10 am - 4 pm.

labels: done, weekend, annual