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Follow up: Batteries  March 14th, 2014

Previously on the blog we showed you how to build a biodegradable battery from washers, pennies, and vinegar. A SMILE Club from Forest Grove High School shared with us the many different objects they used to try to create a battery.  Success came when the club used a strawberry as their energy source, but what characteristics of strawberry make it a good battery? We think this video does a great job of explaining the science behind this concept:

Hopefully after watching this video you have a better understanding of anodes and cathodes.  What else could be used in place of the strawberry or lemon? Scientist Angela Belcher is working on making batteries from viruses so that batteries can be biodegradable.  In this article she expands on her research.  What do you think will make a good battery?

 

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2014 High School Challenge Recap: Marine Protected Areas  March 14th, 2014

This February was the SMILE program’s 11th annual Ocean Sciences High School Challenge event.  This years event provided 120 students from 10 statewide SMILE clubs with a real world opportunity apply what they learned in their Clubs about the topic of Marine Resource Management.  More than 15 Oregon State University and community partners and 20 undergraduate mentors guided students as they learned about Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) and then used their knowledge to increase community awareness of MPA’s through the creation of interpretive signs, a newscast, and a final presentation.
As part of the challenge, students worked with OSU’s Student Media Services to create newscasts about Marine Protected Areas. Here are a few examples:

The students had only two hours to work with their teams and create their final products and what they were able to come up with was impressive!  We are happy to share some examples of student ingenuity!

 


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