Month: May 2011

HTHT of WNC Joins Forces With Heroes and Villains at Fanaticon 2011!

 

It’s a bird… It’s a plane… no, it’s scientists from High Touch High Tech of WNC making “Super Hero Slime” to ensure hours of hands-on fun for all citizens of Asheville.

On Saturday, May 21st, The WNC High Touch High Tech team joined forces with the heroes and villains of Asheville, NC to bring science fun to the attendees of Fanaticon, the city’s second annual free comic book convention.

The scientists dressed in their best mad science costumes, and made green and blue “Superhero Slime” for over 500 delighted kids — and more than a few adults! Educators and parents from as far away as California were there, and had the opportunity to learn more about our programs and sign up for our E-News.

A huge thank you to Chance Whitmire, Michael McMurtrey, the volunteers and costumed cast, and everyone else at Fanaticon, for having us and providing such a fun event for so many kids and adults!

Check out all the fun pictures below of High Touch High Tech at Fanaticon!


 

Dinosaur Dan presents “Hands-on Science for a High Tech World” to educators across WNC!


For the third year in a row, HTHT of WNC provided its “Hands-on science for a high tech world” workshop for early childhood educators from around Western North Carolina.

This year 48 teachers, and early childhood directors participated. The hour and half workshop flew by, and everyone had a great time. More importantly, wonderful science process skills were shared and conveyed to teachers.

Teachers were able to ask questions and share feedback. Teachers learned amazing ways to teach kids science in a fun manner using safe, common, everyday materials. You can see for yourself just how much fun these educators were having with High Touch High Tech.

Just another example that science is fun for kids of all ages, even those that are kids at heart!

 

 

Inside the heart of the volcano for the first time!

Image Source: Pixabay.com

For the first time in history scientists have descended 650 feet into the magma chamber of a volcano. These incredible images show one explorer gently lowering himself into the heart of the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano in Iceland.  When it last erupted 3000 years ago, superheated molten rock from the depths of the Earth’s crust spewed from this magma chamber to help create the Atlantic island we call Iceland. Since then, it has been known as the “sleeping volcano.”

Only now – 50 years since the first man went into space – have human beings visited the only magma chamber on the planet currently safe to explore.

The team were made up of two scientists and 15 support staff, including expert mountaineers accompanied by a film crew and a photographer to document the historic event. By physically visiting a magma chamber the scientists were able to learn valuable lessons about the complicated plumbing system of the volcano as they looked to draw comparisons with how the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted. Last March Eyjafjallajokull caused global chaos when it erupted, grounding aeroplanes and leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded.