High Touch High Tech

Scientists are curious people. They question every part of a subject so they may form a hypothesis and essentially theories and/or solutions. When designing the rovers for Mars scientists had to consider all the aspects of the launch, travel, and eventually exploration of Mars.

Mars
1. Fourth planet from the sun
2. Martian solar day is called a sol and is equal to 24.6 earth hours.
3. A year on Mars is equal to 1.88 Earth years.
4. Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
5. It is the second smallest of our solar systems planets with a diameter of 6,779 km (4,212 mi).
6. During the year, the average surface temperature swings between −78.5 °C (−109.3 °F) to 5.7 °C (42.3 °F).
7. Earth has an axial tilt at 23.5 degrees and Mars at 25 degrees.
8. Mars has a rocky, sometimes sandy surface with tall mountains.
9. Mars appears orange because the soil has a high amount of iron.

Also, when transporting something in space scientists had to think about the extreme temperatures of space and the cargo load of the items being transported. In this case it is the Mars Rover Perseverance. Perseverance was launched on July 30, 2020, at 11:50 Coordinate Universal Time. Perseverance landed on February 18, 2021, at 20:55 UTC. As of 31 March 2025, Perseverance has been active on Mars for 1462 sols!

So, one thing very specific scientists had to think about was the wheels of the rover. Curiosity and Perseverance wheels are composed of aluminum with titanium spokes making them extremely durable and light. The Perseverance wheels are a bit thicker, they are narrower, and the tread is different in hopes they will stay intact longer than Curiosities has. The robust wheels have served their purpose well but now scientists are thinking about the next exploration vehicles having more flexibility. This would allow any components onboard to endure less abrupt movement. The new wheel prototypes have a metal that can flex and return to its original shape! Not only does it flex but each time the movement causes the metal to heat up. Each time it returns to its original shape it will then cool down. This new metal is an alloy composed of nickel and titanium.

Many technological advances have been made concerning space travel that have been used here on earth and this alloy is one of them! Imagine airless tires that return to their shape each time as they traverse the rocky surface. These could be used for our vehicles here and in fact are already being tested for bicycles!

What other thoughts or question could you think of concerning space travel?

References:
https://www.nasa.gov/
https://www.cnet.com/science/new-photos-from-mars-show-nasa-rover-has-holes-in-its-wheels/

Dinosaur Dan has done it again. He arrived at Fayes Place, Jewish Family Services, with all the materials needed to lead the seniors in exciting sound experiments. They observed sound waves and built their own musical string instrument! Learning is ever lasting in our world of curiosity.

As High Touch High Tech proudly marks its 25th anniversary in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, we reflect on a quarter-century of  education, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences at sea. Since the inception of this groundbreaking collaboration, the intersection of science edutainment and the thrill of cruising has provided a unique and enriching journey for passengers of all ages.

High Touch High Tech’s commitment to hands-on, interactive science experiences aligns seamlessly with Royal Caribbean’s dedication to delivering unparalleled entertainment and adventure. Over the years, this partnership has evolved to become a beacon of excellence in combining education with leisure, turning each cruise into an exciting opportunity for learning, and stimulating the imagination and curiosity of Royal Caribbean’s youngest guests.

From erupting volcanoes, to chemical reactions, to staggering through the stars on the upper decks, High Touch High Tech has transformed Royal Caribbean’s youth program into a living laboratory. Families and kids have had the chance to dive into the wonders of science while cruising through some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.

As we celebrate this remarkable 25-year milestone, we commend High Touch High Tech and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for their unwavering dedication to education and entertainment. The synergy between these two entities has not only enriched the cruise experience but has also left an indelible mark on the countless minds inspired by the wonders of science at sea.

Here’s to another 25 years of exploration, discovery, and the continued partnership between High Touch High Tech and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. May the next quarter-century bring even more innovation, education, and unforgettable moments on the high seas. Cheers to a journey that combines the best of science and adventure, setting sail towards a brighter, more informed future for all who come on board.

Trees are extremely important! We here at High Touch High Tech want to highlight trees and all the things they do! They help mitigate air pollution by absorbing carbon and other pollutants. They also provide much needed habitat for wildlife.
Did you know there are Champion Trees? Champion trees are determined by factors such as height and diameter and the champion titles are awarded to many species of tree. To learn all about this you could check out the website:

The tree I am highlighting today is an Eastern Hemlock, who many of you may know is threatened by an invasive insect called the wooly adelgid. The botanical name for this tree is Tsuga canadensis. This champion is in Macon County NC and measures 175 feet high and trunk circumference at 194 inches! The crown spread is 49 feet!

 Did you know that High Touch High Tech provides programs for seniors? Once a month, Dinosaur Dan teaches classes at Arbor Terrace and Faye’s Place at Jewish Family Services in Asheville, NC. He says that the experience is always super rewarding and inspiring for both him and the seniors. Seniors have the same level of awe about the world as anyone else as the level of inspiration and curiosity is not lost with age. It is human instinct to learn and be curious! 

During the latest program at Arbor Terrace, they studied genotypes and phenotypes. They drew their phenotypes, observable characteristics, and looked at genotypes. They also compared their individual fingerprints in this experiment.  

If you are interested in Senior Science, please contact High Touch High Tech to set up a fun experience!

High Touch High Tech is all about INSPIRATION! We strive to motivate kids in the field of science! This is part two of our journey into the neuroscience and psychology of inspiration and gratitude.

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/JjCzWK5EIwb

At High Touch High Tech, we specialize in inspiring the scientists of tomorrow. We know that, behind so many of the most world-changing scientific discoveries, you’ll find an inspired scientist! But what IS inspiration, exactly? Is it an emotion? A psychological process? An electrical signal in the brain? Turns out, it’s all of those and more. Join us for part one of our podcast on the science of inspiration at the link below!
https://anchor.fm/sciencemadefun/episodes/Inspiration-and-Gratitude-part-1-e1sfhub

What’s on your plate? Oh, just a few thousand years of experimentation, observation, and ingenuity!

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Indigenous American innovation has inspired the foods we eat, Appalachian traditions, medicine and engineering just to name a few. In this latest podcast from High Touch High Tech we dive deep into discussion of the science and history behind why beans, corn and squash are such important staple foods today. We hope this inspires you to explore our history and the contributions of the Indigenous People of the Americas. The scientific advancement of these civilizations are the foundation for food culture across the world. Exploring the legend of the Three Sisters and the practices behind the legend may point the way toward a sustainable future.

Listen to the to the podcast here: https://anchor.fm/sciencemadefun/episodes/The-Three-Sisters-e1r722b

For more about earthworms and other creepy decomposers, listen to the latest High Touch High Tech podcast! : https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/LXdEenw2pub

On a Spring evening when the air is moist and the nights are getting warmer, I can go outside with a flashlight, shine it on the grass, and see so many earthworms pulling themselves back into the tunnels they have created in the soil. They love my yard because it is full of composting chicken and duck manure from the escapades the domestic birds had in the days before. If you listen closely, you can even hear them moving in the soil! It’s interesting to think that the composted duck and chicken manure is feeding the worms that the chickens and ducks love to eat. I have created an ecosystem that feeds itself.

Earthworms are a terrestrial invertebrate found in the soil with segmented setae (bristled body parts to help the earthworm from slipping backwards) on all the segments of their body. They spend their days eating organic matter including protozoa, rotifers, bacteria, and fungi.  Their digestive system runs the length of their bodies, and they respire through their skin. They are hermaphrodites, meaning they contain both sex organs. Though they can reproduce without a mate, they prefer having one. Upon which they exchange sperm and develop eggs.

There are about 3000 species of earthworms worldwide. They can be found almost everywhere there is moist soil. Most of today’s earthworms arrived from Europe, most likely from the soil in rootstocks of plants during shipment.

Earthworms appear white, grey, pink, or reddish brown. They can range in size depending on species anywhere from ½” to a whopping 10 feet! The biggest ones can be found in Australia. They are a cold-blooded creature and assume the temperature of their surroundings. They are true worms, meaning they hatch as tiny worms and grow to adulthood without instar stages like that of the beetle or fly.

The lifecycle of the earthworms is as follows: they begin as an egg, emerge as a tiny baby, grow to a juvenile, and then become an adult. They can live up to 8 years. The hatchling is a tiny white and threadlike. As they grow into a juvenile, they began to develop colors of grey or reddish brown. When they become adults the band around the upper part of their body develops. This is called the clitellum, and this is the area in which reproduction organs exist. An adult worm after mating lays up to a dozen eggs at a time. The eggs are laid in the soil and are contained in a tiny egg sac that is the sloughed off part of the clitellum. After a 15-day incubation the hatchling emerges. It takes around 60 days for the earthworm to grow into an adult. Then the reproduction process begins all over again.

What are some uses for earthworms? Well, the most useful thing they do is to decompose organic matter creating frass, worm manure. The frass is an amazing fertilizer that is sold for anywhere from $1 to $5 a pound. It is a viable compost that can be applied directly to plant beds and potted plants as well. Earthworms make good fish bait. That is a whole market all its own. Also, as I said before the chickens and ducks love them! They are an excellent source of protein and minerals. They are eaten by humans in China and the Philippines. In Fujian and Guangdong province they are considered a delicacy.  In Southern Venezuela the Ye Khanna people gather them from mud, gut and boil them to eat in dishes and sometimes smoked. They are also eaten by the Māori people of New Zealand. Its is reported that they have an unsurprising earthy flavor.

As we approach sustainability, other protein and mineral sources come into our view that are much less impactful upon the earth. If you have chickens and ducks, consider creating a worm farm in a plastic or wooden bin. Or if your property is set up like mine the earthworm farm is the whole yard enabling your domestic birds to feast as they desire. Overall, the earthworm is a fascinating decomposer that is accessible for study or for a snack, directly under our feet.

Shana M Ritch

For more information go to : https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/08/10/489302134/should-we-make-room-for-worms-on-our-dinner-plate

Image  credit: wikimedia commons

Listen to the podcast for more on larvae and decomposers! : https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/LXdEenw2pub

All life fits into an ecosystem somewhere. Even what some may consider an annoying creature has a role to play in our intricate and interconnected world. One of those “annoying” creatures is the fly. However, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) doesn’t have the typical characteristics of the annoying housefly that interrupts your lunch and quiet while you sleep. In fact, they are beneficial in ways beyond the niche they fill in our ecological community.

So, this fly is a bit different in appearance to the common housefly. The adults measure about 5/8 inch long. They have a predominantly black body with metallic blue to green on the thorax and a reddish-brown abdomen. They have a wide head and very developed eyes. Their habits are different as well. They don’t buzz around and land on your doughnut releasing digestive juices and bacteria like the housefly. Instead, they are much calmer, can be caught easily, and the spreading of pathogens isn’t a problem. They prefer hiding if they are able. Their metabolic rate isn’t as high, so they fly around less.

The life cycle of a black soldier fly begins as an egg.  The eggs incubate for about 3 days. The entire life cycle can take anywhere from 44-73 days. The time for each stage is dependent upon temperatures and food access. Warmer temperatures are best for the quickest stage development. During the larval stage they may go through 6 instars or stages of shedding and growth. This process takes about 14 days. Then they pupate for 1-2 weeks before emerging as a fully formed black soldier fly. Then they mate, lay eggs and the whole process begins again.

The larvae eat almost constantly, breaking up particles with their mouth parts. Eating in masses together they stir up their food and heat it up with the energy they give off thus increasing the rate of compost. They love compost, household organic waste and manure. They can quickly reduce a compost pile by 50% if the weather is warm. As adults they move less and mostly drink liquids. Their main goal is mating and laying eggs.

In nature the black soldier fly can usually be found around livestock and farms due to their desire for compost and manure. This attribute can be utilized in and around homesteads, small city chicken coops, compost piles and farms.

 The larvae have many uses. These include feed for poultry, fish, pigs, lizards, turtles and are sometimes incorporated into dog food. They have a nice balance of healthy fats, nutrients, and amino acids. So, for this reason could they be used for human food? Absolutely. It is reported that when cooked they smell like cooked potatoes, have a crispier outside and a soft yummy inside with a nutty meaty taste. Yum!!! In 2013 Austrian designer, Katharina Unger, produced a tabletop insect breeding farm called Farm 432 (https://katharinaunger.com/farm-432-insect-breeding) that can produce a bit over a pound of larvae a week. The larvae are not only a nutritious protein filled meal for us but is also used to produce chitin, a polymer derived from glucose, to aid in removing biofouling (organic buildup) from pipes and the hulls of ships. The larvae manure is called frass and has its own use as organic fertilizer. Nothing goes wasted in nature.

Image credit: pixabay

You could even set up a self-feeding or collection station for your pigs, chickens, and ducks. In an existing contained compost bin, you could construct a ridged tube from the bottom of the bin that leads to a bucket outside. The larvae have a natural tendency to climb. Use that aspect and give them a tube to crawl up and simply set a bucket at the end for them to drop into. Or just let the chickens and ducks wait at the end for a snack.

credit: pixabay

In conclusion, we have examined the lifecycle, and many uses of the larvae for Hermetia illucens. Get innovative and construct your own chicken food producing station.  You can do it with minimal engineering knowledge and just a visit to the hardware store. Explore a sustainable source of protein to create culinary delights such as larvae burgers and crunchy bits for salads and stews.  As you snack you can revel in the knowledge that this less buzzy fly has not only a niche in nature, but a place in our world as we move closer to sustainability.

For more on Black Soldier flies visit: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hermetia_illucens/

Shana M Ritch