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(@bill93)
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That looks like a junior high submission to the annual science fair I helped judge Saturday. But a poorer one than we usually get.

There are teachers in a few schools in eastern Iowa that really inspire and guide kids to do these projects and come to the regional fair. Other schools not so much. The local schools are poorly represented.

Most projects were competently done for their level  and I saw some innovative projects. Evaluating a pond weed as a source for making ethanol.  Measuring the strength of paper made by themselves with varying percentage recycled materials. Measuring structural strength of 3-d printed beams with varying fill patterns. Bacterial growth after various sanitizing procedures.

Almost none had any appreciation for significant figures; the average of 7 integer measurements might be given as 6.142857. We try to give helpful comments "you did well at ..." "you might try this to improve consistency ..."  Significant figures was in several of my comments.

We had over 150 projects and enough judges that projects got 3 or 4 reviews. Based on those average scores, finalist judges re-interviewed a few dozen to make the top awards. Just bringing anything they put some thought into puts them well above the average student and is a good experience for them, so everybody gets a certificate.

This was about my 23rd year of judging, and they've gotten better over time. Most are far better (organized and focused) than anything I did at that age.

 
Posted : March 22, 2023 12:51 pm
(@michigan-left)
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Getting a PhD in 2023 be like...

image

 


GIF
 
Posted : March 22, 2023 1:18 pm
(@dougie)
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who me
 
Posted : March 22, 2023 1:49 pm
(@holy-cow)
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Guess who's on the other end of that taut rope.

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Posted : March 26, 2023 9:28 am
(@dougie)
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A cow?


GIF
 
Posted : March 26, 2023 10:05 am
(@holy-cow)
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These silly little laws make one wonder what was going on that was so terrible that this law had to be adopted.  Enjoy.

https://excellenttown.com/funniest-laws-american-state-is

 
Posted : March 26, 2023 3:13 pm
(@holy-cow)
Posts: 25292
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Go stare into the evening sky on March 28.

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Posted : March 27, 2023 5:23 am
(@holy-cow)
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You can lead a kid to water, but, you.........................

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Posted : March 27, 2023 10:54 am
(@holy-cow)
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An epic tale for land surveyors

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Posted : March 28, 2023 6:35 am
(@dougie)
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20230329 160827

What's your back hallway look like 

 
Posted : March 30, 2023 7:09 pm
CV-Nevada
(@cv)
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@holy-cow 

Well, I totally get the Wisconsin cheese and apple pie law. It makes sense to me.  

That being said, I think I will place a small toothpick mounted flag in a bar of soap tomorrow and place it on my dashboard, just to see what happens!  

 
Posted : March 30, 2023 7:29 pm
(@holy-cow)
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Yesterday afternoon here about ten minutes before our apple tree snapped like a twig underfoot.

 

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Posted : April 1, 2023 8:51 am
(@holy-cow)
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Andy Rooneyisms - Too good not to share!!
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold
and a heart to understand.
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us
everything we ask for.
I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make
life so spectacular.
I've learned.... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile..
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned..... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned..... That when your newly born grandchild holds your
little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
 
Posted : April 1, 2023 8:57 am
(@holy-cow)
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A special warning to Flat Earthers...................................

 

3 41
 
Posted : April 5, 2023 2:53 pm
(@holy-cow)
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Explanations can be so unnecessary.

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Posted : April 10, 2023 8:18 am
(@dougie)
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GIF
 
Posted : April 10, 2023 9:31 am
(@holy-cow)
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Prison or Prism?

 

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Posted : April 11, 2023 2:37 pm
(@holy-cow)
Posts: 25292
Topic starter
 

OMG!  This is bad.  This is very bad.  Note bunnies in background.

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Posted : April 11, 2023 3:20 pm
CV-Nevada
(@cv)
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Woodstock
 
Posted : April 11, 2023 6:03 pm
(@dougie)
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Posted : April 12, 2023 8:04 am
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