Eagle Web-Cam

The Alcoa Davenport community in Iowa has installed a camera to observe a pair of bald eagles, and their nest. The nest measures seven feet, and sits on a 400 acre facility in a tree near the Mississippi River.  The two eagles, Liberty and Justice, became parents to an eaglet (Freedom) in April 2011. 

The eagle cam was recently updated with improved video streaming. To date, more than five million viewers worldwide have visited the eagle cam to observe the eagle family developing within this unique ecosystem.  Eagle hatchlings typically appear in late March or early April.

Meet the Alcoa Eaglets: 

http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp

White Nose Syndrome in Alabama

Authorities have confirmed the presence of white nose syndrome in Alabama. The Russell Cave complex has confirmed the presence of white nose syndrome in its bats. The Russell Cave complex is home to the largest hibernating population of the endangered Large Gray bat.

White nose syndrome has now been confirmed in 17 states, and four Canadian provinces. The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up to 6.7 million bats have died from white nose syndrome since it was first discovered in the US Northeast in 2006.  Every year insectivorous bats save the US agricultural industry at least $3 billion; approximately $74 per acre for the average farmer. 

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/16/bats-white-nose-syndrome_n_1350306.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

Bay Bridge Safety Inspection

A panel study has revealed that the new Bay Bridge is safe in response to concerns about the bridge's construction.  The panel was asked to provide an independent opinion about the bay bridge's safety in light of discussions that a CalTrans inspector submitted fake quality control data.

The Toll Bridge Seismic Safety Peer Reviewed Panel released a report finding no evidence of faulty data on tests checking the structural integrity of concrete in the new Bay Bridge foundation.  The panelists also found that the bridge contractor ran a second type of test and found no signs of trouble.

This study reveals the importance of ensuring that bridges undergo extreme inspection procedures to protect the drivers and pedestrians that cross the bridge on a daily basis.  This review saved taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, and also ensured the safety of all who use the bridge.

Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20260493/panel-finds-new-bay-bridge-is-safe-although
 Interested in teaching your students more about engineering? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Engineering – Bridges by Design.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.  

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

White Nose Syndrome in Smoky Mountain National Park

Biologists in the great Smoky Mountains National Park have confirmed bat deaths due to White Nose Syndrome.  The bats found where a tricolored bat and a little brown bat.  Throughout the WNS epidemic, the little brown bat has suffered the most deaths. 

Though biologists were expecting to find WNS, the discovery makes for a very sad atmosphere at the park.  Biologists hope to control deaths through continuous monitoring of populations throughout the area caves and forests.

Source:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/smokies-biologist-confirms-finding-bats-with-white-nose-syndrome-in-a-park-cave/2012/03/20/gIQAuFMoPS_story.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

Mississippi Bat Working Group Conservation

The Mississippi Bat Working Group is seeking volunteers to build bat homes in Oxford, MS.  The MBWG consists of professionals interested in biology, conservation, ecology, and bat management. The MBWG's objective is to conserve declining bat populations, which are now being wiped out as a result of White Nose Syndrome.

MBWG is also seeking volunteers to help construct a database to register all bat houses.  The goal of MBWG is to have more than one bat house per county, throughout the state. Mississippi has 82 counties.

Source:

http://www.necn.com/03/22/12/Bat-fans-seek-volunteers-to-construct-ba/landing_scitech.html?&apID=188de0c575fa41e68feba4710d6f3125

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

Alarming Study Reveals Environmental Concerns Declining

A 40 year study has found a decline in youths interested in environmental conservation. This study has concluded that younger Americans are less civic minded than those of generations past.

The results of the study contra indicate widespread belief that younger generations are more environmentally conscious.  When surveyed, young voters often cite the environment as a top concern. According to researchers, 1/3 of baby boomers, when surveyed decades ago, listed the environment as a top concern. Comparatively only 25% of millennial's listed the environment as a top concern. 

Furthermore 15% of millennials said they made no effort to help the environment. This is compared to 8% of Gen Xers, and 5% of young baby boomers who were surveyed.

Source:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-03-15/news/31198596_1_millennials-baby-boomers-young-adults

Interested in teaching your students more about the environment? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Environment – Science for a Healthy Planet.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

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

New Circuit Board Measures Force

A new circuit board is expected to soon be released that is designed for OEMs to quickly drop into a prototype or to easily design into a product to obtain force measurements.  The circuit board is designed to make the force sensor integration quicker and easier.

The new circuit board can detect and measure a relative change in force, or applied load, identify force thresholds and suggests appropriate action, detect contact.  The new circuit board is expected to start selling at $150.

Source:

http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/03/19/new-circuit-board-tekscan-makes-force-sensor-integration-easier-oems

Interested in teaching your students more about electronics? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Electronics – The Science of Circuit Boards.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

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