NASA’s Ames Research Center, located at Moffett Field, California, is the home of the Kepler Mission. The 600 million dollar satellite observatory, named Kepler, is sifting through the stars in search of the most Earth-like planets. In order to answer the age old question of whether we are alone in the universe, a team of scientists programmed Kepler to detect planets in the “Goldilocks” zone where water could potentially exist. Though we may not find the answers to our questions within the next few years, this mission certainly takes us a step away from earth and into space.

To read more about this topic, please visit The New York Times

This Week in History 1-31-11

Truman announces development of H-bomb

January 31, 1950, President Harry S. Truman announced his decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb five months after the Soviet Union detonated its own atomic bomb and after British and U.S. intelligence’s conclusion that a top scientist in the U.S. nuclear program was a spy for the Soviet Union. Exacerbating the American-Soviet arms race, Truman approved massive funding to develop the first H-bomb. On November 1, 1952, the United States detonated the world’s first hydrogen bomb on the Elugelab Atoll in the Pacific Marshall Islands.

To learn more about the development of H-bomb please visit This Day in History at History.com.

60-Second Good-To-Knows 1-31-11

This week’s topic: Environmental Science

Acid rain:
Coal has sulfur in it. When rainwater runs through coal mines, pits, or tailings fields, the sulfur turns into sulfuric acid in the water. The effects are detrimental to nearby creeks and streams. If the sulfur escapes up the stack during burning, it acidifies the rain and lakes downstream. The problem can be ameliorated by use of “scrubbers” to remove 90% of SO2 from stack gases. They are now required on all new coal plants in US.

Word of the Week 1-31-11

Limpid: (adj.) - clear, transparent, or pellucid, as water, crystal, or air
Example: We could see to the very bottom of the limpid pond.

Study Break Clue II

So far, no one has guessed the correct answer to this week's Study Break. Here's another clue:

The school is a member of the Ivy League.

Good luck and remember, the contest ends February 1, 2011!

What’s All That Buzz 1-24-11

The president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, signals that facing mounting inflation fears the ECB could raise interest rates in the future. While the globe is still recovering from the latest global economic crisis, inflation is already accelerating. Rising prices of raw material and volatile commodities such as food and energy became more evident in recent months. Trichet reasons that budget discipline and sound fiscal policies rather than renewed stimulus will help economic recovery in Europe.

To read more about this topic, please visit The Wall Street Journal

This Week in History 1-25-2011

World’s largest diamond found

January 25, 1905, a 3,106-carat diamond weighing 1.33 pounds was discovered at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa. The mine’s superintendent, Frederick Wells, spotted the diamond 18 feet below the surface. The diamond was sold to the Transvaal provincial government, which in turn presented the diamond to King Edward VII of Britain for this birthday. The Cullinan diamond was cut into nine large and about one hundred smaller stones. The largest stone, called the “Cullinan I,” is mounted in the British Royal Scepter.

To learn more about the World’s largest diamond found please visit This Day in History at History.com.

60-Second Good-To-Knows 1-24-11

This week’s topic: Environmental Science

The study of the earth and its environments in four large systems:

1. Atmosphere- the gaseous envelope of the planet
2. Hydrosphere- water in its many forms; oceans, rivers, lakes, ice (glaciers), water vapor
3. Lithosphere- the hard rock of the planetary body itself; more specifically the crust.
4. Biosphere- the thin film of life that lives on the surface and in the oceans

Word of the Week 1-24-11

Pièce de résistance: (n.) - An outstanding accomplishment
Example: "The bison is an evolutionary pièce de résistance, the result of thousands of years of genetic development under the toughest weather and geographical conditions" (B.J. Roche).
Try creating your own sentences using the word PIECE DE RESISTANCE and share them here!

Study Break Clue

Here's a clue to those struggling with this week's Study Break. The school is located in the northeastern part of the United States. The answer, therefore, is not Oregon State.

Good luck!

Tutor Profile: Matthew S.

Every other week we will be profiling one of our fabulous TutorChatLive.org tutors. This week, meet Matthew S.!



ABOUT ME

WHY DO I TUTOR?: Because learning is the most important thing.

HOMETOWN: Boston, MA

LAST BOOK I READ: The Never Ending by Andrew Hudgins

EDUCATION AND WORK

HIGHEST EDUCATION: Master's of Fine Arts

CURRENT WORK: Poet

FUN STUFF

DREAM VACATION: Alaska

FAVORITE TIME PERIOD: North America, pre-Columbus

WHAT I WANTED TO DO AT AGE 7: Astronaut! I still want to go to space someday!

FONDEST HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: I was very happy to graduate, it was a lot of hard work, and everything got better afterward. I got a better job and got into college, and I loved college.

What's all that buzz? 1-17-11

Five thousand red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky one evening in Arkansas at the beginning of the month. As some proposes conspiracy theories such as secret military testing, biologists believe that human disturbances instead of government conspiracies are responsible for the incident. Every year approximately 72 million birds die directly from pesticides, 60 million from cars, 174 million from high-tension transmission lines, and 97 to 976 million from building windows. However, the most detrimental factor is lost of natural habitats.

To read more about this topic, please visit The New York Times

This week in history 1-17-11

Edgar Allan Poe is born

January 19, 1809, American writer, poet, and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts. After being orphaned at age three, he was left in the care of his godfather, John Allan, a wealthy tobacco merchant. Poe attended the University of Virginia for eight months before leaving due to a falling out with John Allan. He also briefly attended West Point. After marrying his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm, Poe moved to Philadelphia, where he became known for his “direct and incisive” literary criticism as well as his horror stories. Some of Poe’s well known stories and poems are “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Raven.” Poe died in a hospital in Baltimore after being found incoherent in a gutter in 1849.

To learn more about Edgar Allan Poe please visit This Day in History at History.com.

60-Second good-to-knows 1-17-11

This week’s topic: Science

Scientific methodology steps:
1. Gathering of data and observations ( measurements)
2. Generation of a hypothesis (an idea or model) to explain a pattern or an anomaly seen in the data
3. Testing the hypothesis- designing an experimental program or data-gathering strategy to see if predictions made by the hypothesis are false (Results should be verifiable, and independently tested.)
4. Refinement of the hypothesis as further data is gathered and observations interpreted
5. Publication of data and results of hypothesis testing
6. If the hypothesis can be generalized to fit a wide variety of situations, it becomes a theory.

Word of the week 1-17-11

Repository: (n.) - A place where things may be put for safekeeping
Example: Vatican library is a repository of information.

New Study Break!

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's Study Break contest! We loved reading your responses. It was tough, but the chosen winner is RoYaLxChickyy who wrote "Where's nemo? I have his Christmas present!"


We have now posted this new Study Break:

"The person below started which school?"



Remember, the winner wins 20 Tutor Points and everyone who participates wins 5 points!

Good luck!

What's all that buzz? 1-10-11

According to an annual study of the United States’ most literate cities, Washingtonians topped the list. The study examines whether people do participate in reading rather than if the people are able to read. The results show disturbing trends including the decline in “newspaper circulation,” “book-buying,” slow growth in “educational attainment” even when taken into consideration the increase in internet usage and availability of libraries.

The top ten cities in 2010 rankings are Washington, Seattle, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St. Paul, Denver, Portland, Ore., and St. Louis.

To read more about this topic, please visit USA Today

This week in history 1-10-11

Prohibition takes effect

January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, was ratified. The 18th Amendment was in response to the temperance movements of the early 19th century when some Americans were concerned about the adverse effects of hard liquor and alcoholism. However in 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, repealing the prohibition of alcohol.

To learn more about the Prohibition please visit This Day in History at History.com.

60-Second good-to-knows 1-10-11

This week’s topic: Math

Exponents:

Exponents are shorthand for repeated multiplication of a number by itself.
For example:
1) 4^3
= 4x4x4
=64
2) 1.5^5
=1.5x1.5x1.5x1.5x1.5
=7.59375

Word of the week 1-10-11

Wheedle: (v.) -To persuade or attempt to persuade by flattery or guile; to obtain (something) by artful persuasions.

Example: I wheedled a new car out of my father.

What's All That Buzz? 1/3/11

Iraq continues to be a dangerous place after the end of war. Sunni-Shia rivalry continues, suicide-bombings still occurs from time to time, and political stability is not yet achieved. Even after the official departure of the American combat troops in August 2010, 50 thousand American soldiers remain stationed in Iraq. Despite instabilities, oil companies are increasing investments. Oil production is predicted to return to pre-2003 levels of over 2.5 million barrels a day. In sum, the future of Iraq rests on many factors including religious rivalry, regional diplomacy, foreign influence, and more.

To read more about this topic, please visit The Economist.

This Week in History: 1/3/2011

First U.S. presidential election

On January 7, 1789, the first presidential election of the United States of America was held following the ratification of the Constitution in 1788. At the time, only white, male property owners were allowed to vote within the Electoral College system. In this election, George Washington became elected as the first president of the United States, and John Adams became the first vice president. Washington was sworn into office on April 30, 1789.

To learn more about the First U.S. presidential election please visit This Day in History at History.com.

60-Second Good-To-Knows: 1/3/2011

This week’s topic: United States History

The Oregon Trail:

The Oregon Trail was originally a series of unconnected trails used by the Native Americans. In the early 19th century, fur traders expanded the trails to transport pelts. By the 1840s, the Oregon Trail became a two thousand mile historic overland migration route from Missouri to Oregon and California. For two and a half decades from the 1840s to the 1860s, the Oregon Trail served as the main route for travel to the western United States.

Word of the Week: 1/3/2011

Redolent: (adj). - Having or emitting fragrance; aromatic, suggestive, reminiscent

Example: The candidate is conducting a campaign redolent of machine politics.

Try creating your own sentences using the word REDOLENT and share them here!