So disapointed...

with the Sec 4s and their Common Test results. MSG of 5.5? Serious? Is that with or without any effort?

mrguay's video - crystallization of copper (II) sulphate crystals

You might wonder why a Physics teacher is doing crystallization? That's because I'm teaching 4 NT this year and they are doing Chemistry this semester.

Chemistry is indeed a more interesting subject than Physics. However, it's really too complicated to explain anything fully.



If you're interested to try this, you can use common salt or sugar to do crystallization in your kitchen as well!

Gaming - what's it good for?

Nothing much in real value, as according to this video. Do watch:




However, as most of you may be aware mrguay also does some occasional gaming... Okay, actually only DotA. Isn't it self contradictory?

Nope, because I do understand that playing games are just...games! They create as much value and purpose as say a cup of coffee does. But we do meet our friends for coffee, don't we? And perhaps it's not the game nor the victories but the experience and friendships that is forged along the way.

Hope you guys have a nice holiday. Now stop playing games and go out in the sun!

Are you learning what you need to survive and excel in the future?

Watch this well-made and thought-provoking video.

So what do you need to do well when you 'grow up'?

Since you ask for it - new DotA forum to organise games

Yup, I've created a forum for like-minded people to join.

Use it to discuss heroes, strategies or to organise games.

Registration is free. Join now!

http://mrguaydota.freeforums.org

My ex-students who use the other old forum, pls register in the new one as the old one is very buggy.

Interesting project for the holidays?

Watch this interesting 'diy' science project.

Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

It looks simple but a lot of planning and science is involved.


Do note that it is illegal to do this in Singapore due to our very very busy sky. And also, the camera will most likely land in the sea.



Still, how about tying a camera to a kite?

Definition
Streaming:
Tracking (also called setting or streaming) the manner by which students are separated by academic ability into groups for all academic subjects within a school.

Exams:
a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge

Difficult
unmanageable: hard to control; not easy but not impossible

Killer
a difficulty that was hard to deal with


Global Culling Blade



- a term coined by mr guay to describe the level wide differentiation of the good, average and poor students in term of Physics understanding.

I have to agree the Sec 2 Physics paper was not easy to deal with but also not impossible. Which means it did serve its purpose: a benchmark to assess the suitability of your Sec 3 subject combination choice.

On a scale of 10, I would rate it 6 and 9. 6 because it would be an average paper for Pure Physics students; 9, because it would be a killer paper for the general Science (Physics) student.

Here's the result we have been eagerly awaiting.

my rating for you guys:

• If you pass (C5-C6) - not bad but need to work harder to get an A in Pure Science


• If you just fail (D7-E8) - you're suitable for Pure Science provided you actively ask questions to clear your doubts.


• If you fail badly (F9) - taking Science (Physics) is the way to secure an A in O levels.


• If you did ok/very good (B4 and above) - don't get complacent, you still need to work hard because it is really quite tough to get an A1 in Pure Physics (most students got A2).
  

Totally unrelated to school - DotA 2 by Valve

Yes, it seems the popularity of DotA and the software limitations of the Warcraft engine has finally spawned a dedicated platform for our beloved game.

DotA 2 is a partnership between Valve (Counterstrike, Half Life etc) and Icefrog (current developer of DotA). Will it be free? Will it be better? When will it be released? Read more at http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/10/13/dota-2-announced-details.aspx

Sec 2 Exp Science (Physics) EOY examination - a little tad too difficult?

Seems that the EOY paper was quite a tough one, because I actually hear quite a no. of stories about students crying after the paper....

Well, it certainly wasn't my intention to make any of you cry (actually I do but only to those extremely lazy students) but I did see and I ackowledge all the effort you have put in for Physics. And in a sick way I am actually glad some of you are upset about today's paper, because it means you have high expectations of yourself - the first step of any successful person.



Look forward, concentrate on your other papers and stop dwelling on that darn Physics paper.



And try to smile when you see me, k?

All the best for EOY!

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

My very own simple motor

Although I had learn this in my Secondary school days, this is the first time I tried it. I think it works pretty well :)



Materials:

• coil of insulated wire
• paper clips for support
• magnet
• batteries and wires
• a base to mount everything

Note: you need to strip HALF the insulation at the ends of the wire.

For more info, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it_Z7NdKgmY

Old but good video - Frames of Reference

May be too complex for some of you but do give them a try and wonder as you sit there and watch the video: are you stationary or are you actually moving at quite a fast speed?

National Day 2010 Celebration@Kranji Sec

Quite a good one. I don't think anybody felt bored :)

Physics video by UMass Lowell

A great video which I guess is shown to freshman in this university. Credits to Win? Fail? PHYSICS!

Introducing: Prezi - the zooming presenter, presenting simple Electricity

Tired of Powerpoint slides? Frustrated by the limitation of Powerpoint or MSOffice in creating large concept maps?

Introducing Prezi, a different way to present. It surely is interesting for both the presentor and the audience, as the zooming and panning effects just capture your attention much more than the Powerpoint usual fade in-out sequence. What's more, it is a great tool to present concept maps.

Created one based on Electricity. It's still kinda rough around the edges and lacking in content....cos it's not as 'user-friendly' as Powerpoint. Comments welcomed!

Electricity - Introduction and Current Electricity on Prezi