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

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