Hybrid engines combine electric and combustion to power the car, rather than just combustion. This means they are more environmentally friendly. Because at low speeds the electric engine is powering the car, they save on the consumption of fossil fuels. This has the benefit in term of carbon emissions. When the gas is not being used, the fumes are not being released into the environment. Their reliability and low emissions rate (not to mention higher gas mileage) mean that they are more popular than ever.

These hybrid vehicles are being used, and so they will need to be maintained. Hybrid engines have some different features than typical gas engines, as discussed above. Want to see what they look like? Check out our Hybrid Cut-Away Engine. This engine has been specifically cut to provide automotive technology instructors and students with the best view of the workings. (It is color coded to show the flow of liquids.) Here are a few sneak peaks (with more available on nadascientific.com):

Teachers enlighten and brighten us.

Today marks the occasion of an important holiday for science teachers: International Star Wars Day. The epic battles with the incongruous noise in space, the wisdom of Yoda, the painful lesson in over-hyped expectations that was ‘The Phantom Menace’ … all these and more have been inspirational for science teachers throughout the decades since the release of ‘A New Hope.’

What, you thought I was going to talk about National Teacher Appreciation Day? Actually, I am. Because what I am talking about is inspiration: for teachers, from teachers, and to teachers.

We appreciate and celebrate teachers not just because of the things they teach, but because of the ways they inspire us to think about the world in a new way. Whether it is to explore renewable energy, look at light in new ways or to embrace our inner geek, inspiration is what teachers give us.

So in turn let us give them our appreciation, not just this day or week, but as often as we are inspired. Feel free to discuss the teachers who inspired you in the comments.

You can place your order:

• Online: nadascientific.com
• By Phone: 1-800-799-6232
• By Fax:1-518-297-3254
• By Email: support@nadascientific.com
• By Mail: to PO Box 1336, Champlain, NY 12919

1. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It is a succinct summary of what everyone should be doing everyday, not just on Earth Day. This year, highlight the ideas behind this by reusing plastic bottles to make a Tornado Tube.

2. Celebrate Earth Day by exploring it. Go for a hike or long bike ride. If you live in an urban area, take a walk in the park. Want something to do on your hike? Check out some fun activities to do in The Big Book of Nature Projects.

3. Conserve electricity this Earth Day. After dark, rather than cranking up the TV, video game console or computer, why not crank up a hand-held flashlight and tell ghost stories? (Using the hand-powered flashlight rather than a battery-powered one is a boost for the environment as batteries, especially when not properly disposed of, can be a hazard.)

4. Everyone still has to eat, even on Earth Day. For a fun activity that also saves on electricity, make a meal in a Solar Oven. Look around the web and you will find many creative recipes for foods ranging from sweet to savory. (Note, if you plan to make this your main meal, plan ahead. While solar ovens do not use electricity or fuel to cook, they do take time.)

5. Learn, or teach, a lesson in renewable energy. From Biomass to Wind, alternatives to fossil fuels are becoming more and more viable as energy sources. Race a hydrogen powered car or build a wind turbine to explore the technology of the future.

I hope you enjoy some of these activities, and feel free to comment with any other suggestions for Earth Day. But remember, these activities can be done any day to celebrate our amazing Earth.

Yes, we got to go to the 2010 NSTA in Philadelphia. While we were there we were able to present a number of new products, like the Junior Genecon Kit, as well as our trusted products like the BeeSpi and the Plastic Spring Wave. But while showing off our products is always fun, one of the best bits was being able to connect with so many science teachers from across the country. You are what made this trip a success.

And guess what, if you missed us at this year’s NSTA, it isn’t too late to see a product demo, and I’m not just talking about our YouTube videos. Nada Scientific is going to be presenting across the U.S. and Canada this year.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hi. We are looking forward to seeing you all again in the future.

Today Science announced the first of 12 winners in websites that provide tools, information for and promotion of science education. This prize, which will be announced each month, is called SPORE, or The Science Prize for Online Resources in Education.

The first winner selected was The University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center websites, one of these websites is for students. It provides virtual labs, informative graphics and detailed explanations, all in a lick user-friendly design. In addition, they also have a site specifically designed for science teachers. There you will find supplemental materials as well asprint-and-go lesson plans.

Another great resource I would recommend is this online database of the 100 best free online science documentaries. With listings broken down into discipline, this is a fantastic way to find a supplement to your lessons.

What about you? What are your favorite science resources on the web?

But how do people actually manage to select what to pay attention to? The Kavli Institute for Systems Nueroscience and Centre for the Biology of Memory have been working towards understanding that. By measuring the brain waves of rats and listened to the transmissions. The gamma waves, a subset of brainwaves, proved interesting. They work as a radio system in the brain, imparting information. The hippocampus is able to tune into one of the frequencies, which then tune the others out. This allows the brain to focus on one thing.

Sources: Science Daily, Scientific American