Steve Spangler’s Blog

Spangler Science Videos - The Editor’s Top Picks for Best of 2008

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There’s only one problem with these “best of” video lists… someone has to actually sort through all of the videos and come up with a list! Props to our genius video editor, Bradley Mayhew, for all of his editing magic in 2008. When the year starts out with 4,500 pounds of cornstarch and water and a cement truck on The Ellen Degeneres Show… you know it’s going to be quite a year! Our video and experiment library has grown to almost 400, with 70 new science videos added to our science video library just this year. Selecting our Top 10 Videos for the year was tough, but here are our personal favorites. Let us know what you think…

Growing Bacteria Experiment Helps BJ and Howie from Alice 105.9 Search for “Things” in the Studio

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The growing bacteria from the 9News experiment

BJ and Howie are familiar voices to morning listeners of Alice 105.9. Whenever their conversation veers off on a science tangent, I know that my phone might ring. Several months ago, Howie was so certain that the studio was infected with mold spores that he paid to have his workplace tested. Any guesses? That’s right… no mold of any significance. Today’s issue is one of bacteria and germs.

Listen to the Interview on Alice 105.9

Early last week, Mikey the morning show producer called our office and order a Growing Bacteria Kit. Like good little science soldiers, they cooked up the nutrient agar and prepared the Petri dishes. The next day, Howie followed the growing bacteria instructions and swabbed areas of the studio where he thought the germs and bacteria were running wild. After letting the “stuff” grow for a few days, BJ and Howie invited me down to the studios for a quick look at their science project.

Here’s the important point… unless you have the samples professional tested by a qualified biologist in a lab, there’s really no way …

 

 Steve Spangler's Interview on Alice 105.9 [10:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

2008 EduBlog Awards - Winner for Best Educational Video

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We just found out this week that we won the 2008 EduBlog award for Best Educational Video and it’s all because of amazing followers like all of you. When we got the word out that we were nominated for this award, the congratulations came pouring in… and so did the votes. After the dust had cleared, we learned that over 900 supporters voted for our educational videos. 

Carnival of Education - 202nd Edition

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Welcome to the 202nd Carnival of Education! There are, scientifically speaking, only 12 days of Christmas - beginning with Christmas Day and extending on into January, ending with Epiphany - but, scientifically speaking, there are MORE than 12 excellent educators and teachers right here who have all kinds of valuable and invaluable hints.  Let’s all put on our lab coats, step away from the mistletoe for a few minutes,  and start making some DISCOVERIES!

Mathew Needleman presents What To Do With Student Data posted at Creating Lifelong Learners.

ANDREA presents Education Examiner: Why are kids cheating in school posted at Education Examiner at Examiner.com

Gedaly presents Plot Structure and Macbeth’s Climax posted at The Bard Blog.

Nancy Flanagan presents Let’s Go Camping posted at Teacher in a Strange Land.

Travis A. Wittwer presents WASHINGTONIOUSLY Awesome: NBCTs fill the classrooms! posted at Stories from School: Practice meets Policy.

Kelly presents Task Force’s Final Draft posted at Stories from School: Practice meets Policy.

Joe Manausa presents What Is A RSS Subscription posted at Tallahassee Real Estate Blog.

Shen-Li presents Tailor-Made Flash Cards for Your Child posted at Babylicious.

Larry Ferlazzo presents Check The Pollution Level At Your School and …

Visit the Largest Online Collection of Science Experiment Videos

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As we wrap up 2008, I’m excited to report that we’ve added more than a hundred new videos to our ever-growing library of cool science videos and science fair project ideas. We are told that this science video library represents the most complete collection of science activities, experiment ideas and science demonstrations online to date. Thanks to everyone for your feedback and suggestions for future segments. I liked the e-mail that said, “Spangler videos are like Pringles… you can’t stop at just one.” Pour yourself another cup of coffee and dig in.

Visit the Complete Science Video Library

Bradley Mayhew is an amazing photographer and video editor who joined our creative team earlier this year. When he visited our video storage area on his first day on the job, he started to understand the true scope of managing this video archive. There are over 240 science segments dating back to 1990-1997 when I hosted the weekly Wonder Why? science segment on NBC’s News for Kids. Many of these segments can be seen on the Steve Spangler Science YouTube Channel under the classics category. Bradley also uncovered countless hours …