Your Thoughts?

If you have a comment about our show, send me an email. We want your ideas, suggestions, and thoughts. Thanks! Joan

Archives

We've kept all our previous seasons of D4K shows and websites online. Find links to all the D4K video and the show websites from our D4K Topics page.


Questions and . . .

Scientists always question what they see. They also share information. Watt’s up is a place for everyone to share questions, answers and comments. Send in your thoughts. We will post them here. Check back and read what other people contribute.

Posting Rules:

  • If your question is about an upcoming topic, we will save it for the live show. Watch the program or check out the Top Ten to see if it gets answered.
  • Sorry, we cannot answer specific homework questions, but we will post those questions here and if someone else suggests an answer, we will post that too!
  • We will not post any rude or inappropriate comments or questions.

Here are some questions for you all to ponder. Drop me an email if you have an answer.

From Natasha at Matthew Flinders school in Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Is there any other substances besides water which can be in the form of a solid, liquid or gas?

From Joan: Check out the D4K States of Matter site for more information.

From Linday in Mrs. Gerich's class at Dalmeny High School in Saskatoon, Canada: What do viruses eat?

Joan: You can learn about viruses here.

From Mitchell in Mr. Dorey's class at Pacific Grove Middle School in Pacific Grove, California: What is the difference between and ecosystem and a biosphere?

Joan: You can learn about ecosystems at our D4K Ecology website (look for Ecology Facts), and about biospheres at Geography4Kids.

From Julia in Mr. Simpson's class at Cotswold Primary in Bishopdale Christchurch, England: Can U help me find any web sites about brown bears?

Joan: Click here to learn about bears.

From Zoe in Australia:
Hi my name is Zoe and I am from Australia and I go to a school called Wesley College. In science we are debating whether or not viruses are alive or dead. My group has been asked to support the topic that viruses are NOT ALIVE!! It is extremely hard to find information on the Internet and I was wondering if you could give us some answers. ASAP! If you could that would be great. Today is Wednesday and it is due Monday. So as soon as you respond the better chance we have of winning this debate. Thanks so much for taking time to read this; I will be waiting for a response.
Regards, Zoe, Branford, Zac, Emmeline and Thea

Joan: Thanks for writing. You will find a good debate over whether Viruses are alive or dead in the program we did on viruses. Go ahead and watch the program on our website. It is a half hour program and, as I recall, the debate was about three-quarters of the way through the show. Here is the link: http://www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/audiovideo.cfm. Just scroll down until you see the show viruses (under the watch the show column) and watch it on your computer. There are also lots of links on the virus website. Good luck with the debate and please, let me know how it turns out.

Joan: Zoe responded and says she will let us know how her debate came out. Good luck!

From Elizabeth in Panama:
I'm looking for "children dialogues" in order to apply this information to classes. I'm an English teacher for children between 7 to 10 years old here in Panama City. Can you supply some dialogues by email or an email address where I can get this information because I'm not able to buy an English dialogue book at this moment.

Joan: Dear Elizabeth,
Please check out the D4k: Dialogue for Kids programs on our web site, Idahoptv.org. Just click on Dialogue for Kids. You will find half hour programs on many scientific topics, video shorts, web-only programs, lots of facts and links and other information. If there is something more specific you are looking for, please drop me a note.

Joan: I haven't heard back from Elizabeth, but I hope she can use the program in her class! Here are three more emails for you all to answer. You can find the answers on the D4k web site in the particular topic site. Be sure to send in your answers!

From Kane in Ms. Mauer's class at West Delaware Middle School in Manchester, Iowa
How do fireworks go off at the exact right moment?

From Ruby in Dr. Nelson's class at Reagan Elementary school in Dallas, Texas
What do volcanoes spew out?

From Cassie in Mrs. Grahm's class at Landmark Academy in Kimball, Michigan
Will too much rain affect a dam?


Clare in Mr. Curry's class at Hughbanks Elementary in Rialto, CA asks, "Where do bears store food?"
Joan: Clare, thanks for writing. I think you will find your answer in our Bear site. Check it out and thanks for sending in a question.


Here are some more viewer questions and comments. I can't answer questions that aren't related to one of our current season programs, but I'm happy to put them here and if you want to send me an answer, I'll post it here. Be sure to check out all the other topics on this Web site.

Richard from Mrs. Sheridan's class at Ketler Elementary in Westwood, New Jersey asks, "How many teeth do bears have? Can you name the eight types of bears?"

Allyssa from Mrs. Uresky's class at Haverhill Cooperative Middle School in North Haverhill, New Hampshire asks, "What kind of simple machine is a propeller?"

Dem from Mrs. Frederick's class at Terrill School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey asks for more information about the fourth state of matter.
From Joan: Be sure to check out the D4K site on States of Matter.

Destiny from Montana asks, "How do owls build nests? And do owls blink?"

Mahnoori from the International School in Jiddha, India asks, "How are habitats first formed?"

Jojo asks, "How does garbage affect our lives?"
From Joan: Be sure to check out the D4K site on Garbage.

Lexi in Mrs. Knox's class at Dalton Elementary in Coeur d'Alene asks, "Can most creatures like coral polyps live for over a decade?"

Michael for Mr. Marsh's class at DHSB in Plymouth, United Kingdom asks, "How old is this web site?"
From Joan: The oldest parts of the site are about nine years old, but each site is updated each year and a new season is added. So we add nine new topics each year. If you have an idea for a show topic, email me. We really want to hear what you think!


Maddy from Toledo writes: When was this Web site made?! I'm trying to do a project and use your web site as a wonderful source, but since u have no copyright, I can not use it. Consider putting a citation at the bottom of each page please!

Joan: The Copyright appears at the bottom of pages for this year's shows (2006-2007). Pages that were developed prior to September 2006 do not have a visible one. However, the site as a whole has a 2007 copyright. So students who need to cite a copyright can use that.

We get Kudos: Craig Frey from Bardstown Middle School in Kentucky writes: "I have just discovered your site through nettrekker and have found fantastic material to use in my 6th grade middle school classes! States of Matter and Simple Machines in particular and I still have a lot of exploring to do! Thank you so much and PLEASE keep up the great work!!"

Thanks, Craig!

Joan says: I receive a number of emails each month with questions not related to any of our shows. Most are asking for help with a particular topic. While I can only direct the writers to our website, maybe you can give them some additional help. Here are the questions. If you have an answer for them, send it to me and I will pass it along. Thanks!

Gileann from Ms. Dugan's class at Teen Elementary in Kuna asks, "Can protein bars substitute for the necessary amount of protein that your body needs?"

Ashley from Mrs. Paes class asks, "How much does it cost to build a hydroelectric dam in North Korea?"

Brenda from Bedford Elementary asks, "Are there dams in every river?"

London Swann from Mrs. Gifford's class at Castle Heights Upper Elementary in Lebanon asks, "When were the first fossils discovered?"

Chrisy from Ms. Usha's class at NHJSS in Jakarta (Indonisia) asks, "What is the adaptations of bears?"

Annie from Mr. Tupniak's Class in Maple Ridge wants to know more about science fair stuff.

Emma from Mrs. Lemon's class at Maryfield School asks, "Why don't polar bears slip on the ice?"

Cassy from Ms. VanderVelde's class in Grand Junction, Colorado asks if someone can send her information about pheasants.

Emi from Fort Settlement Middle School in Houston asks, "Do any type of bears eat any type of foxes?"

Erika from Mos Bluff Elementary in Lake Charles asks, "Do insects have hearts?"

Simrah Shah from Riverside asks, "What is a saturation point?"

Rey from Mrs. Clark's class at Wasco School in St. Charles asks, "How do gold particles behave when they melt?"

Shila and Toni from Mrs. Harris' class at Bedford Elementary in St. Charles ask, "How can we be better at spying?"

Debbie from Clarendon Elementary School in San Francisco wants to know what it the maximum altitude different types of hawks can reach.

And, finally, Daisy from Mr. Caunt's class at Robert Bruce Middle School is England writes to say, "Can you please put more facts and games?"

Joan: Daisy, that's a good idea. We update the D4K Web site each season and I think adding some games would be fun. I'll start working on it. Thanks for writing


Here are some past questions and answers. Do you have an answer for them? Send it to us, or ask one yourself.

Samantha writes: I'm wondering what information I can find on websites about the Mount Rainier volcano - of past history eruptions and the date of when it first erupted. I'm doing a science project and I need every information I can get.

Joan answers: Hi Samantha. I would click on Topics and check out the Volcano programs from March 2006 and May 2001. I think you might find some answers there. Thanks for writing.

Helen writes: I wanted to know if you could help me out a bit with my homework on how to make a wedge, lever, wheel and axle, and last but not least, a mechanical machine.

Joan answers: Helen, thanks for writing. I'm afraid I can't give you a specific answer. I can suggest you watch our program about simple machines. I think you will find an answer there or in the links and other information available on that site. Click on the Topics button toward the top of the D4K home page and look for "Simple Machines." Good luck with your project.

Laura from Blackfoot High School in Idaho asks: Hi. I have been studying Falconry for about 3 years now and I have one question that is driving me up the wall. OK, here it is. At what age would you have to be to acquire a falconers license and what all would you have to do? I'm well aware that the starter falcons are the Red-tailed hawk and the American Kestrel. I have also studied the falconers' tack and the techniques for luring. But for 3 years I have been unable to find the last piece of this puzzle. Do you think you could help? Thank You.

Joan replies: If you watch the show we did on Birds of Prey, you will find the answer to your question about the age requirements. You can find it in our video archive (April 2004). I would also suggest you give your local Fish and Game office a call. If they can't help you, you can call the Birds of Prey Center in Boise.

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