Hello! As we speak, the GHA office is buzzing with activity; Director of Governor's Schools Sherry Keffer is in to sign certificates for the Favorite Educator Luncheon this Sunday, several RAs are busy organizing activity time for this afternoon, Resident Director Thomas Knotts is dancing to the Spanish music blasting from Dean Saralyn Dague's laptop, and last night's speaker Dr. Phil Plait is kicking back on the couch discussing the heat wave with Assistant Dean Robbie Brown and Saralyn. All in all, it's shaping up to be a pretty productive day, unlike last Friday...
Resident Director Thomas Knotts and RA Steve Robison snooze in the office during class time.
In a style that meshed humor with science and critical thinking, Dr. Phil Plait from Boulder, CO began his talk by debunking a popular myth: that eggs can only stand on end on the first day of spring. Students entered the Steinman Theater to see 4 eggs standing on end onstage (in the middle of summer!), proving Dr. Plaits years of research that the myth is completely false.
Plait then transitioned to a discussion on asteroids, comets, and why Hollywood can't seem to understand the physics behind either. Students learned that bad astronomy often makes for good entertainment, but not good science.
After the presentation, both students and faculty asked Dr. Plait interesting, probing questions that ranged from how to calculate the weight of an asteroid to what principles are involved in asteroid-destroying technology.
We got to touch an asteroid!
