Transcript Who wants to know a little about fun science stuff?(x)

Who wants to know a
little about fun
science stuff?
Norton Elementary, 4th grade
This could be you
David Toback
Texas A&M University
April 2013
October 2011
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Research Topics Seminar
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A little about me
• I Grew up on the south side of Chicago
• Went to college at MIT and then to graduate
school at the University of Chicago
• I work at Texas A&M University in College
Station
• Whoop!
• I am a Professor of Physics and Astronomy
which means I’m BOTH a Scientist AND a
Teacher
• I have three sons, one is in third grade at
College Hills Elementary
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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Today
• I asked you guys to send me the
questions YOU wanted to know the
answer to.
• They were AWESOME! Loved them!
• What are we going to do in class
today? I made a set of (some of)
the questions and y’all will VOTE on
which questions you want to hear
about. We’ll do those first until we
run out of time.
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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Let’s make a deal
I will answer as many questions as I can
and I’ll make it fun for you, but I need
you to agree to the following:
1. I want you to have fun asking questions
2. I want you to raise your hand so I can
see what YOU want to know about
3. I expect you to be respectful of your
classmates so everyone gets to hear
Do we have a deal?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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1: More about me?
• How did I decide to be come a
scientist?
• How old was I when I knew?
• What is my favorite part of being a
scientist/teacher?
• Do I like my job?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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2: Others like ours?
• Is there another planet like the
Earth?
• Are there other planets outside the
solar system?
• Is there another star like the Sun?
• How many stars in the Milky Way?
• How many galaxies are there?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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3: Planets and other stuff
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Why isn’t Pluto a planet any more?
Is there life on other planets?
Will we travel to other planets soon?
Could we live on other planets?
Can we travel to other stars?
Can we travel to other galaxies?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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4: The Sun
• How far away is the Sun?
• How hot is the surface of the Sun?
• How hot is the center of the Sun?
– How cold is outer space?
• How long will the Sun shine?
• Will our Sun explode in a Supernova?
• What WILL happen to our Sun?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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5: Black Holes
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Are black holes real?
How close is the closest black holes?
Should I be worried?
How are black holes created?
Are there really Supermassive Black
Holes?
• What would happen if you fell into a
black hole?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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6: Aliens
• Do you believe in aliens?
• What would happen if you met an
alien?
• Will we go to other planets to meet
aliens?
• Do you want to meet aliens?
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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7: Other Stuff
• What is a shooting star?
• How fast do they move?
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David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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8: Water in outer space
• Want to see what happens to water
in outer space?
• Check this out:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/04/21/177949605/a-wet-towelin-space-is-not-like-a-wet-towel-on-earth
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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That’s it!
• Enjoy your science class!
• Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions!
• Look for answers on the internet
– Find the answer on two different pages and see if
they agree!
• Email me if you have more questions
– [email protected]
• Join my Facebook page:
– Learning-about-the-Big-Bang-and-Black-HolesWithout-the-Math
– If you send me fun things you find, I’ll post them!
April 2013
David Toback, Texas A&M University
Norton Elementary Class
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