Sharing a Moment of Science

For the second time this week, I’ve found myself waking up early on a day when I could actually sleep in - and not being able to fall back to sleep.  Besides feeling shortchanged of needed zzz’s, it made me wonder at what point my body’s habituation to waking up at a regular (early) time throughout the week overrides my fatigue.

Erin, science writer, 26, Santa Cruz

Showing a video to my students on Why is Science Important? The link is below…check it out. It got my 7th graders to think about their moments of science and we discussed what profession has nothing to do with science…We couldn’t find one by the way.

http://www.organicsoul.com/why-is-science-important/

I spied a solitary pelican (I think) along a coastal hike last weekend. I’ve never seen them dive for fish, but I’m curious how they see their prey through the water. Do all birds have ‘hawk-eyes’?

Meghan, science writer, 29, Santa Cruz

A few years ago, I discovered a bottle of lozenges that works wonders for my excruciating sore throat. Although chalky-fruity-tasting, these lozenges had the power to ease my throat pain almost instantly. The magic ingredient is zinc! Since then, never fail, I’ve benefited from the healing potency of zinc. Curious, I searched for how zinc works. Just because the research is not conclusive, it’s not proven that zinc is ineffective against cold/flu. Still, my number one medicine is sleep, sleep, and sleep.

Elsie, Fish Meditator, 33, Santa Cruz

Check out this “postcard” I received from my marine scientist boyfriend while on a class trip to the Keys.  The image is on tile, and the frame is made from an old lobster trap!  It’s titled “That’s A Moray.”

Diane, Student, Moss Landing, CA

I recently saw some boys skim boarding on the beach.  I thought, what a great lesson in friction and hydroplaning!  I wonder what perfect speed and water height you need to get momentum.

Erin, science writer, 26, Santa Cruz

I love how these roly-poly sea lions sun themselves on the ledge (Can you see them? They’re hiding out at the bottom). They look so crowded! I wonder how they decide who gets the best spot?

Meghan, science writer, 29, Santa Cruz

When I surf, I often think about the wave equation I learned in my oceanography class. I would have never thought that water depth is an important factor to waves breaking. I feel silly, but now when I’m paddling to catch waves, I wonder again and again - how deep is the water below me?

Elsie, Fish Meditator, 33, Santa Cruz

Seeing these crab carcasses strewn along the beach made feel like I’d stumbled across a crime scene.   I wasn’t sure if they were molts, or if someone had been feasting on crabs.  It made me wonder why so many had washed up at the same time.

Erin, science writer, 26, Santa Cruz

A bald eagle sat outside my window on a tree branch for about 20 minutes today.  Its head was constantly turning and tilting to get a look around—I’m guessing to search for food.  I never thought of them as sit-and-watch predators…can birds of prey see better when stationary or when in flight?

Amanda, Student, 26, British Columbia, Canada