Took of the week: KeepVid.com

Posted on by mrsoltys
I teach at a public school that has amazing technology resources: many students are given laptops and there are ample computers around the school. One problem I run into quite often is YouTube is blocked from any computer on the district's internet. Now, I'm not going to say anything negative on the district's policy to block youtube: It can be...Read More

Tool of the Week: Google Sketchup

Posted on by mrsoltys
Google Sketchup is a Free, easy to use, and intuitive 3D modeling tool. [caption id="attachment_599" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Here are some drawings for a bed i designed, but never built, because i realized my room was too small"][/caption] Because it is free, I've found Google Sketchup to be a great tool to use in the classroom when teaching my high-school classes...Read More

Tool of the Week: Wolfram Alpha

Posted on by mrsoltys
Wolfram Alpha is a math lover's dream.  I've used Wolfram alpha to do everything from help me derive or check equations I've gotten published to helping kids on their math homework. But that's not all it does.  Check out their super cool example page and click around, you'll be amazed at everything Wolfram can do: from telling you what constellations you can see tonight,...Read More

Theoretical Fluid Mechanics: Venturi Meter

Posted on by mrsoltys
A Venturi Meter is a device that allows flow rates through pipes to be calculated by measuring the difference in pressure created by a contraction in a pipe.  When the flow goes through the contraction it must speed up, and so the pressure must drop.  By measuring the two pressures, engineers can directly calculate the velocity of the fluid.  Knowing the pipe...Read More