From: Raleigh McLemore (raleighmclemore@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Nov 02 2004 - 17:10:45 PST
Message-ID: <20041103011045.92595.qmail@web54707.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 17:10:45 -0800 (PST) From: Raleigh McLemore <raleighmclemore@yahoo.com> Subject: Geiger Counters, Quantum Theory Book Question, Removing Possums
Once a year I offer up my two Geiger counters to anyone crazy enough to want to borrow them. They are bright yellow, always a plus, and good natured, although they have a real appetite for "D" batteries. You should not, as I did, carry one of them into the Kaiser Radiology Department for a GI Tract Exam as "Back off, I'm a science teacher" doesn't seem to appease the radiological denizens of the basement of Kaiser Oakland. The Geiger Counters are named, "Wugie Norple" and "Exploding Pop Tart", and pinhole teachers have occasionally found good uses for them. Contact me and we'll try to organize the loan. I plan on using them in my class in late spring, when the Geigers hatch.
Second. A precocious 9th grader is desperate to jump into quantum theory although his base knowledge is limited. He is infected with the idea that I might know something about this stuff and is bothering me. I am trying to explain things in email, but it only goes to show how miserably I understand things when I can't seem to begin to explain mass, energy and how it all relates to the speed of light (Jeez, I can't explain why photons have momentum but not mass, except to say "They are so poor that they can't afford to have both.") I gave the student "Einstein for Beginners" and he has been silent of late, so I don't know if that helped or hurt, but I have the feeling there are better things out there to introduce quantum theory. I have been looking for the ABC of Relativity because someone said that it was good. Paul suggested some stuff too.
When the student emails me next, if his brain hasn't exploded, I would like to suggest a good introduction to this subject that preferably has lots of drawings or pictures, as he is an ESL student who is learning as fast as he can.
How 'bout it pinheads? Websites, books and magazine suggestions are welcome.
Also, does anyone know how to uproot, unseat or deport a possum from one's basement? It appears to be smarter than me. I have already tried leaving notes and small envelopes of money. It had scratched its way into some boxes and found some of my curriculum which makes it cackle and laugh all night. Can't stand a smart*** marsupial.
With firm handshake,
Raleigh
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