Science Connexion Green Apple News http://www.scienceconnexion.org Energy efficiency and sustainable living for Chicago Area Schools Huffington Post Covers Growing Field of Sustainability Studies http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/cwN28Kx81OU/the-green-apple Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:14:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=207 Students are challenging their faculty to develop creative solutions to the world’s environmental sustainability crisis, reports a recent Huffington Post story. Focusing on the growth of environmental studies programs at U.S. universities, the article says that "more and more students are coming into our colleges with an intuitive and profound understanding of the changing nature of the planet." New academic programs at New York institutions including Columbia University, the New School and Bard College are profiled for their efforts to satisfy students' search for "new approaches to economic life that will permit the material comfort they have grown up with, while keeping the planet intact..."

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]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=207 U Michigan Establishes Student Clean Energy Venture Challenge http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/HxPRYCgFcZw/the-green-apple Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:11:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=206 The University of Michigan has partnered with DTE Energy to establish the Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge. The program provides student teams interested in clean energy entrepreneurship the education, mentorship and resources to accelerate their ideas forward. Sixteen student teams from six universities statewide have been selected to present their business ideas and will compete for more than $100,000 in prizes. The competition is part of a national effort to encourage young entrepreneurs to develop renewable energy solutions through President Obama’s Startup America campaign...

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]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=206 U Wisconsin River Falls Leads UW System in Energy Efficiency http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/MY2NV-hX8ZQ/the-green-apple Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:27:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=202 The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been named the most energy-efficient four-year campus in the University of Wisconsin system during the 2010-2011 academic year. Energy efficiency was measured by the number of British thermal units (Btu) of fossil fuels, electricity and overall energy used per gross square foot. "Increasing energy efficiency is truly a campus commitment," says Michael Stifter, director of facilities management at UW-River Falls. "Fortunately we also have some good projects in mind, so I don't see us resting on our laurels..."

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]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=202 U Chicago Announces Campus-wide Energy Efficiency Upgrades http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/pBampDCpxdw/the-green-apple Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:26:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=201 The University of Chicago (IL) has announced an enhanced focus on campus-wide energy efficiency upgrades in 2012. Lighting changes and adjustments to heating and cooling systems are underway in several campus buildings and a total of 16 buildings will be retro-commissioned. An additional 19 buildings are in line for energy efficiency upgrades immediately afterwards. A $2.5 million grant is helping fund the projects...

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]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=201 U Notre Dame Researchers Develop Solar Paint http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/Qp0VwIZ7xBw/the-green-apple Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:20:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=199 A team of University of Notre Dame (IN) researchers sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy have developed a type of paint that can generate electricity upon exposure to light. The paint’s semiconductors absorb light and generate charge carriers that are tapped in photovoltaic cells. Researchers will continue to work to develop the paint into a product with competitive efficiency and stability. "So far what we've shown is a proof of concept, which is only the first of a four-phase step in scientific discovery," Professor Prashant Kamat  said. "We need to boost the paint's efficiency to more than five percent, but the external funding support and the research progress will determine the duration of product development..."

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The Connexion Green SceneFor more energy efficiency news visit the Connexion Green Scene

]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=199 Science Equipment Available: 1/20/2012 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/DbfzsjM5akk/the-green-apple Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:39:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=198 Note: All microscopes have functional low-power objectives at least, although many have working high-power objectives as well.  
Please order by KIT Number.
Kit #
Materials Included
Ideas
1
 
4 light microscopes
 
2
 
4 light microscopes
 
3
 
4 light microscopes
 
4
 
4 light microscopes
 
5
5 Dial-o-gram Balances
Measure up to 310g 
6
5 Dial-o-gram Balances
Measure up to 310g 
7
6 Triple Beam Balances
 
 
8
2 Triple Beam Balances
 
 
9
10 Misc. Clamps for ring stands
 
Clamps with attachments that can attach them to a ring stand. 
10
50- 50ml Plastic Beakers
 
 
11
7- Lab Safety Cans
6 Polyethylene (1/2 gallon) and 1 metal (1 gallon). Good for storing liquid disposables
 
12
10 Volumetric Flasks
300-1000ml
 
13
10 Round Bottom / Florence Flasks
250ml
14
15 Glass storage bottles
Although no caps, great for storage
15
500 Glass Pipettes
Glass transfer and Pasteur pipettes and of all sizes, up to 50ml. Many bulbs also included
16
10 Glass Separatory Funnels
60-1000ml
 
17
40 Round Bottom / Florence Flasks
 
18
10 Volumetric Flasks
250-1000ml
 
19
 
10 Volumetric Flasks
250-1000ml
20
20 Thiele Tubes
For heating oils and finding melting point
21
15 Glass Funnels
Medium to large
 
22
3 Glass Funnels &
5 Round Bottom / Florence Flasks
Large funnels
Flasks are 250ml
23
10 Side-arm flasks &
2 Volumetric Flasks
Side-arms- 250ml
Volumetric- 1000ml
24
12 Backpacks
Great for packing supplies for a fieldtrip or outdoor/nature/hiking activities. 
 
25
20 Waistpacks
 
All with multiple zippered pouches and space for water bottles. Imagine gearing all of your students up for fieldwork!   Great for packing supplies for a fieldtrip or outdoor/nature/hiking activities. 
 
26
10 Volumetric Flasks
 
1000ml
27
30 Gallon Carboy
 
Fill with acid/base for an entire unit or fill with distilled water or water supply for a room without!
]]> http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=198 U.S. Schools Compete to Slash Energy Use in 2012 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceconnexion/CldK/~3/Elc6iRurd1k/the-green-apple Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:42:00 CST http://www.scienceconnexion.org/the-green-apple?blogm=view&blogid=197 Students in more than 116 schools across the U.S. are competing to reduce their electricity consumption by participating in the 2012 national Green Cup Challenge® (GCC) during peak winter energy usage, Jan. 18 to Feb. 15. (New York City and Chicago will launch separate Challenges on March 2). The national Challenge, now in its fifth year, is a project of the non-profit Green Schools Alliance (GSA), and is designed to raise awareness about energy conservation and provide concrete action towards reduction...

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The Connexion Green SceneFor more energy efficiency news visit the Connexion Green Scene

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