Saturday for Science- Thursday Preparatory meeting for RIVERFEST

Some of the Saturday for Science Students during the Prep-session for the Saturday event.

This weekend they will be participating at Riverfest with the Professor in Residence, Dr. Tom Benzing.

More pictures to come!  

All families are invited to attend 

Year of the Great Blue Heron
Saturday April 28th, 2012
Rain or Shine - No Pets Allowed

Tentative Schedule and Locations

Hampton University video

WHS students collecting fish with the help of Hampton University undergraduates.

Saturday for Science- Hampton University Beach Exploration

Second trip during WHS spring break!

WHS students participated in a beach exploration with Hampton University professors and current undergraduate students.

Students learning about the beach before going out to explore....

 Professor explaining ocean tides

One of their many little friends in the building

 Professor helping students set their GIS system to track their location and milage

Community member talks to students about the beach as a private vs. public property

 The exploration begins!

 Students measuring ground levels

 WHS student asking about an item he found on the sand

Hampton University undergraduate students showing how to use the net to take samples

 Smal fish were found and place into buckets

 WHS students trying to collect fish with the help of undergraduates

 Learning about the purpose of the rocks placed at opposite side of the beach

 After exploring and having lunch on the beach

 The day ended with a trip to the VA Aquarium & Marine Science Center

S4S will start again next year.

JOIN by talking to BJ, Ms. Luisa or Ms. Cupp!

Saturday for Science- Science on South River

Dr. Thomas Benzing, the Professor in Residence (PIR) at Waynesboro High School worked with students on understanding how scientist measure water quality and how mercury contamination and soil erosion are affecting the health of South River- which runs right through downtown Waynesboro and many scientists are studying the health of its waters. Dr. Benzing also explained why the dam was removed and some activities designed to restore the river to health. 

Students measuring water temperature with a LabQuest and a Temperature Probe

 Mrs. Konizer (chemistry teacher) came and supported Dr. Benzing

Students measuring conductivity with a LabQuest and a conductivity probe

Mr. Wion (earth science teacher) stopped by after his participation in the Spring Fling 10k hosted by WHS Cross Country team. 

 Water temperature and conductivity was measured at different locations along the river. During the walk   students were able to pay closer attention to their surrounding:

 Digger bees

Wild onions along the river

 WHS student digging for the roots of the onion while looking at a larger one

 Shell of an asiatic clam - which is an invasive specie to the river

The oil like surface in the water is created by an iron reducing bacteria

Coming up NEXT: River Fest with Dr. Benzing on April 28th, 2012

Saturday for Science- The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory, Prof. Geary Albright
March 3, 2012

How did the Universe begin? What is the origin of all the energy and matter in our Universe? Astronomers seek the answers to these questions by observing the Universe and trying to unlock its secrets. In this session, we will trace the history of the Big Bang Theory with special emphasis on the astronomers and the important astronomical observations that gave rise to the theory. How will the Universe end? In addition to helping us understand the origin of the Universe, the Big Bang Theory also can help predict the future Fate of Universe and how the curtain will close on the Universe as we know it.

Prof. Albright during the lecture

WHS students being recognized for having good scores in the quiz from the previous Saturday event.

 One of the questions & student answers of the quiz for the session taught by Prof. Albright 

(Notice how all students got the correct answer!!!)

 All the participants on of the Meet the Scientist- Saturday Morning Physics

 WHS students receiving their diploma and program attendance award

 All the WHS that participated and received recognition and the Dr. Adriana Banu the coordinator of SMP

Other information:

1. Powerpoint of lecture

2.Quiz after the lecture

3.Podcast  of lecture

3.Photos taken by JMU

This was the last Saturday Morning Physics (SMP). There will be more Saturday for Science trips coming up.

Saturday for Science- Telescopes

Telescopes: Portals of Discovery, Prof. Anca Constantin

February 11, 2012

September 14, 2011, the news are just in: the United States Senate has decided to fully fund the James Webb Space Telescope, and it should be set to launch in 2018. This is a huge victory for astrophysics in this country. It is great to see that we are still committed to "going big, not going home." But how much do we need this telescope, and how far we've come already in building it? Why are we planning to build even greater telescopes, and which are those? Where and why did we start? We will learn in this session about the discovery voyage that led us to these questions and their answers, mainly from the passion for basic scientific discovery about the universe we live in. You'll see that the greatest telescopes we are building not only offer us spectacular images revealing dramatic episodes of star birth and death, shocking phases in evolution of new (to us) solar systems and galaxies, and thus unique insight into the universe coming into being, but also independent proof for the physical laws that govern the excitement of our daily life (or lack thereof). We will see things in light invisible to human eyes too. We will see clearer, further, and deeper. We will have the sight beyond sight. Because we build telescopes.

Group of Waynesboro High School students

Prof. Anca Constantin

"Physic is Fun" demonstrations

Duke dog came to visit Saturday Morning Physics

Other information:

1. Powerpoint of lecture

2.Quiz after the lecture

3.Podcast will be available on the Meet the Scientist: Saturday Morning Physics website

3.Photos taken by JMU