Helping 4th graders learn about wind power!

One of my outreach activities is visiting local schools with KidWind kits. I give them a short lecture on energy, then renewable energy, then wind energy in particular. Then I have them cut wind turbine blades out of card stock and mount them into plastic hubs. We connect them to a multimeter, hold the model turbines in front of a fan, and see how much power they make in the "wind".



I love kids in 40-minute doses! My hat's off to teachers who do this 40+ hours per week. If I were a K12 teacher, I'd probably be in danger of alcoholism.



In the midst of this chaos, this particular teacher stepped back, smiled at all of the screaming mess around her, and sighed happily. She turned to me and said, "Don't you just LOVE this? Kids getting all excited about science?" And I had to admit that I loved the *concept* but not so much being present for the *implementation*. However, I am truly grateful that I had the privilege of seeing her joy. Clearly, that is her thing, and the world is an indescribably better place for teachers like her!

In the White Mountains with H!

Miscellaneous photos

1) Our neighbors' dog, who looks like a puppy, frequently hangs out with us. We don't know them that well, and I'm not sure whether this is okay, or whether this is some kind of Alienation of Affection theft. She is adorable, Starbuck and Cricket don't mind her, and she loves bellyrubs.





2) Good eats:







This here is a multi-cultural place setting:


'MERICA!!!

Couchal photos of my fuzzy beasts

Selfies!

Starbuckeroo selfie!


Cricket selfie!


Attempt at a new Facebook profile pic. It is... not flattering:

Failed family photos :)

Maybe Step 1 should be informing all parties that you are taking a photo:


And Step 2 should be, sit up straight:

Cricket and the squirrels

Cricket is completely obsessed with the squirrels who help themselves to our bird feeder.