Mr Guay’s Science Video Contest

For the June holidays, I decided to organise a Science Video Contest! All my current students (Sec 2 - Sec 4) may apply.

Aim
To foster and cultivate the spirit of learning and self-discovery; to stimulate creativity and enhance the learning experience of Science.

Objective
Create a short video that is related to Science (preferably but not restricted to Physics).

Let your creativity flow! There’s no restriction to the format or style of video. It could be a video of you demonstrating an experiment, a magic trick, an illusion. Or it could be a collection of video clips/pictures that is related to the topic you are showing. It can even be a MTV, a comical skit or a cartoon, as long as it is related to Science!

Prizes
1st: $50 voucher
2nd: $30 voucher
3rd: $10 voucher

Requirements:

• Individual or group effort. Multiple entries allowed.
• Clear explanation on the scientific principles. Explanation can be done in the video OR offline (e.g. a writeup or report).
• Sources of information or materials used must be clearly cited
• Allow your video to be uploaded to youtube for sharing/viewing
• No restriction on video format, length, music used etc.
• Judges decision is final.
• Judging based on content (40%), creativity (30%), explanation (20%) and quality of video (10%)
• Date of submission: 10 Jul 2009
• Register by 29 May 2009. Registration is free!

Here are some examples from youtube:

Mr Guay’s videos:

1. Moments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hr7LlEOv48
2. Mirror size and distance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEV8LNn0szI
3. Egg in a bottle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KA1d0voy74
4. Fun with electrical fuse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70arPvsHKkk
   

Examples from other users:

1. Build an electric motor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it_Z7NdKgmY
2. Crushing can experiment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVayky_b-6U
3. Floating tea bag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkEfYohXTA
4. Siphon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3F9hx5CjPY
5. Boiling with ice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJZZY1a0XE
6. Magic balloon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucD8_y7VdvM
7. Cartesian diver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGo7ECXCNgs
8. Rolling back up incline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7bXHP9OmVo
9. Static attraction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZPkCOySCWc

Sign up now! :)

Sec 2 Exp Sci(Phy) consolidated results

It wasn't an easy paper (I've already told ya!) but I always believe there's no such thing as a 'difficult' paper, just unprepared students. Good job 2F!

Meridien JC obtain gold in SYF...and puts up video with mr guay?!?!

MJC got gold for their guitar ensemble...and at the end of their blog post, they posted a video featuring none other than yours truly!

The link: http://gemeridian.blogspot.com/2009/04/gold.html

Maybe Kranji should have a guitar ensemble too? Since almost half the school learned some form of guitar in lower sec...

Video for sharing - Chicken a la Carte

Got this in my email, posting it here for sharing.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Java Applet to show Principle of Conservation of Energy

Quite a no. of students are interested in getting this applet, hence I'm posting the link here:

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Energy_Skate_Park

It's totally free. Try it!

Total Internal Reflection

A rather good video from Harvard, showing a professor explaining total internal reflection. Enjoy!

Singapore Paper Plane Challenge

Free on 15th March? Have plenty of unwanted A4-size paper?

Contribute to a Singapore World Record! Fold as many Nakamura Lock paper airplane and head down to Singapore Science Centre on 15th March 2009. For more information, go to the official website: http://www.science.edu.sg/ssc/ibrowse.jsp?artid=8572&type=19&root=0&parent=0&cat=470

Watch a video on how to fold this paper airplane.

Video - Moments and an application in daily life

Don't mind the dirty fingers. Enjoy.

Sec 2 Camp 2009 @ MOE Changi Coast Adventure Campsite

18-20 Feb 2009

Download photos from here

I had fun! Hope you guys learn much from the experience!

Photos of a fond farewell

Goodbye Fazlin, all the best in your new school!

Learning reflection off curved surface...by playing a game!

A free, Flash-based game that may let you learn how does the Law of Reflection apply to curve surface....as well visualising attractive and repulsive forces. Introducing Gravity Pod 2!

Link: http://www.wickedpissahgames.com/games/gravitypods/GravityPods2.html

The screen shot shows how I can deflect the bullet using 2 curved surface as 'mirrors'.

Electromagnetic Spectrum - Some fascinating X-rays

Link from http://news.aol.com/health/article/woman-says-doctors-left-knife-in-head/298929

Even more fascinating is that all of the patients actually survived.

Journey to a Black Hole

It seems a lot of you are very curious about the stars, galaxy and the mysterious black hole, especially when I discussed about the speed of light. Here's an excellent interactive site that you can 'play' with to explore not one but two black holes!

To start your journey, go to http://hubblesite.org/discoveries/black_holes/

$30 = $29?!?!?!

Three men dine in a restaurant. The total bill is $30 and each man hands the waiter $10. Later, the cashier realises that there has been a mistake and the actual bill is $25. The waiter returns the change of $5. Since it's hard to distribute $5 among the three people, the three men decided to give the waiter a $2 tip and each men got back $1 change.

This means that each man has paid $9, making it a total of $27. Including the $2 tip, the 3 men has paid in total $29. But didn't they pay $30 in the first place? Where has that $1 gone to?!?!

Try and explain this. The first correct answer to reach my email will get a small prize!

Update 08 Jan 2009 9:22pm: Thanks for all your participation! After 1 day, one of my Sec 2 student has emailed me with a correct and reasonable explanation. To see her answer, select the blank space below with your mouse cursor.

Well, in the first place if 3 men paid $9, it becomes $27. FROM THE
$27, $2 already has been paid as a tip! Why do we have to then add $2 yet
again!. For example, from the $30 we remove $25, leaving us with $5. that $5 had
$2 as a tip. so we add $2 to $25, isn't that $27? and $27 divided by 3 is $9!
Each man paid $9! So, basically, you all have confused yourselves, by adding
another $2 to $27 when it already has been there, and the remaining $3 was the
change given to them:)

Reflection - size of mirror and image