White Nose Syndrome Found in Ohio

Naturalists are warning that bats in Northeast Ohio maybe wiped out within three years time. The disease known as white nose syndrome has spread to parts of Ohio. Currently 7,000,000 bats throughout the US, particularly in the Northeast, have died of white nose syndrome.

The announcement was made after biologists discovered the presence of white nose syndrome in bats hibernating in caves in the West Woods area of Russell and Newbury Ohio.  Currently there is no cure for white nose syndrome, and the mortality rate is hundred percent.

Source:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/deadly_white-nose_syndrome_fou_1.html

Interested in teaching your students more about ecology? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Ecology – Bats: Creatures of the Night.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about ecology? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Renewable Energy

Over the coming years renewable energy is expected to become quite popular throughout the world.  However, across-the-board, many are facing the problem of harvesting renewable energy sources.  Experts have outlined five elements to harvesting, and determining the necessary amount of renewable energy sources to meet future demands. 

Nations primarily need to outline a method of generating renewable power that is in syncope with the natural resources available.  For example, an area that does not have much wind should not aim to generate a wind farm and expect a high output of renewable energy.  More information on this can be found at the link below, as well as more methods for generating renewable energy to meet the demands of future generations.

Source:

http://theenergycollective.com/michaelweinhold/79863/piece-still-under-construction

Interested in teaching your students more about energy? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episodes Energy – Understanding Hydroelectric Power, Energy – Transforming Renewable Resources Part I & II.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about energy? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Stars Reach for the Stars

Ashton Kutcher became the 500^th person to place a deposit with Virgin Galactic to take a visit into space.  According to Richard Branson, Kutcher is “thrilled.”  Kutcher is part of the growing list of celebrities that are getting in line to blast off with Virgin Galactic.  According to reports by RedOrbit.com, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Katy Perry will be exploring space as well.

The flight will give astronaut tourists to an altitude of 68 miles into the atmosphere, where passengers will experience zero gravity for a few minutes.  Tickets are $200,000, requiring a $20,000 deposit.  Flights are expected to take off in 2013 or 2014. 

Source:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/kutcher-puts-down-deposit-for-virgin-galactic-space-ride-becomes-ventures-500th-customer/2012/03/19/gIQAJiM6NS_story.html

http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1112498659/ashton-kutcher-buys-500th-virgin-galactic-ticket/

Interested in teaching your students more about space science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about space science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Gates Speaks on Energy

Bill Gates recently spoke at the Department of Energy’s Energy Innovation Summit, in Seattle, Washington.  During his presentation, Gates addressed the matter of the US government’s funding to alternative energy research and development.  His concern is that “funding for energy [research] in the US is underfunded by a factor of two.” 

In 2010, the US government spent about $5 billion on energy research.  On the other hand, the US government spent $30 billion for medical research, and over $80 billion for defense research and development.  A continuation of underfunding will slow the development and progress of alternative energy growth in the US.

Source:

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/02/bill-gates-on-insanity-and-energy.html?ref=em

Interested in teaching your students more about energy? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episodes Energy – Understanding Hydroelectric Power, Energy – Transforming Renewable Resources Part I & II.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about energy? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Virgin Galactic Test Flight

Virgin Galactic aims to conduct its first test flight by the end of 2012.  The first commercial suborbital passenger flight is proposed to take place in 2013 or 2014. 

Almost 500 customers have purchased tickets to ride into space on the six-passenger spaceship, SpaceShipTwo.  Tickets cost $200,000.  The spaceship reaches an altitude around 68 miles into our atmosphere.  Passengers will experience a few minutes of zero gravity, and will be able to see Earth against the blackness of space. 

Source:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/space-business-idUSL2E8DS0M920120228

Interested in teaching your students more about space science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about space science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com